Prince William is to become a full-time pilot with the RAF�s Search and Rescue Force. The decision means William can fulfil his ambition to �serve operationally�.

Prince William is to become a full-time pilot with the RAF's Search and Rescue Force.

The decision, announced by Clarence House yesterday, means William, 26, who has been prevented from fighting in war zones, can fulfil his ambition to "serve operationally".

The second in line to the throne, who became a keen pilot after training with the RAF this year, will fly Sea King helicopters in all weathers as he helps rescue stricken mountaineers or stranded swimmers.

Currently a lieutenant in the Household Cavalry Regiment, he will transfer to the RAF and begin an 18-month training course in January 2009.

If successful, he will become a fully operational Search and Rescue pilot in 2010, undertaking a 30 to 36-month tour of duty at one of the six Search and Rescue Force (Sarf) units based around Britain - with RAF Lossiemouth the only one in Scotland.

He said: "I now want to build on the experience and training I have received to serve operationally - especially because, for good reasons, I was not able to deploy to Afghanistan this year. The time I spent with the RAF earlier this year made me realise how much I love flying.

"Joining Search and Rescue is a perfect opportunity for me to serve in the forces operationally, while contributing to a vital part of the country's emergency services."

Clarence House said yesterday that the prince had a "one in six" chance of being based in Scotland and that no decisions would be made until after he had completed training.

The training at RAF Valley in North Wales will take up much of his time until 2010. The commitment is likely to dampen speculation that he intends proposing to long-term girlfriend Kate Middleton, 26, within the next few months as there would be little time for a wedding.

Sarf's main role is to recover RAF personnel, but in peacetime the majority of call-outs involve civilian incidents - more than 1000 in an average year.

Flying Officer Wales, as the prince will be known, can expect to earn around £30,000 as a pilot and will work 24-hour shifts.