Prince Harry qualifies as Apache helicopter pilot

Britain's Prince Harry has qualified as an Apache helicopter pilot.

After undertaking 10 months of training the third-in-line to the British thrown has become part of an elite group with the skills to operate the $46 million chopper and those who have witnessed his hard work have praised his determination to succeed.

A source told The Sun: "Only the top two per cent of military helicopter pilots make it to the Apaches and Harry has had to work extremely hard. There is no way his status as a Royal could have got him this far."

A spokesman for Harry - whose official military title is now Lieutenant Wales of the Army Air Corps - said he was "delighted" to with his achievement.

He will now go on to learn how to operate deadly weapons such as Hellfire missiles and laser-guided canons and it is believed Harry - who secretly served in Afghanistan in 2008 working as a forward air controller until details of his deployment were revealed in the media - could return to the country in a combat role.

Before beginning the course last May Harry said he excited about the prospect of flying the "awesome" aircraft.

He said: "It is a huge honour to have the chance to train on the Apache, which is an awesome helicopter.

"There is still a huge mountain for me to climb if I am to pass the Apache training course. To be honest, I think it will be one of the biggest challenges in my life so far. I am very determined, though, as I do not want to let down people who have shown faith in my ability to fly this aircraft on operations. It is a seriously daunting prospect but I can't wait."