Palace seeks new helicopter pilot for elite unit on ‘competitive salary’

Buckingham Palace is seeking a new helicopter pilot for an elite unite on a ‘competitive salary’ and with experience of working with ‘VVIPs’. 

The successful pilot or co-pilot will join the elite members of The King’s Helicopter Flight (TKHF).

They will be based at RAF Odiham and be given benefits including a 15% employer contribution pension scheme and five weeks’ annual leave. 

The helicopter is available for all senior royal and use of the Sikorsky S76 C chopper for 179 Royal flights cost £906,000 in the last financial year.

The successful pilot or co-pilot will join the elite members of The King’s Helicopter Flight (TKHF). (Pictured: King Charles leaving a helicopter)

‘As a natural collaborator, you have excellent communication skills and are confident liaising with a wide range of people.’ 

Royal sources said the King is ‘pretty allergic’ to travelling by helicopter and will always ‘raise an eyebrow’ and objects when it is suggested. 

King Charles took a charter plane and a helicopter for his trip to Belfast and around Northern Ireland in May 2021, at a cost of more than £29,600.

The new monarch and Queen Consort also flew by helicopter in July that year on their annual visit to Wales, with the bill coming to £15,920.

Royal sources said the King is ‘pretty allergic’ to travelling by helicopter and will always ‘raise an eyebrow’ and objects when it is suggested. (Pictured: King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort)

The King also took a helicopter trip for the 70-mile journey from London to RAF Brize Norton in November ahead of his official visit to Jordan and Egypt.

The advert said: ‘The King’s Helicopter Flight (TKHF) consists of a small team of pilots and ground support, providing the highest standard of helicopter service to Members of the Royal Family on official engagements.

‘Joining the team, you will take on the role of either Co-Pilot or Pilot in Command, operating a Sikorsky S76 C++ helicopter.’