Prince Harry has qualified as an elite Apache helicopter pilot, and he could return to the Afghan front line in a combat role as early as spring of next year.
It is a personal milestone for 26-year-old Harry who went through a gruelling ten-month course to learn how to fly the 46 million pounds attack chopper.
Sources say he has a "natural sense" for flying and his success is down to his own determination.
"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," the Sun quoted a source as saying.
A spokesperson for Harry, officially Lieutenant Wales of the Army Air Corps, said he was "delighted" to have qualified after training, which has cost upwards of 1 million pounds so far.
Harry will now go on to learn how to operate the Apache's awesome weaponry, including Hellfire missiles and deadly laser-guided cannons.
Apaches play a vital role in the war zone and the mere sight of one overhead can be enough to send insurgents running for their lives.
Harry, who is tipped to be made captain in May, could get at least two visits to the front before 2015, when British troops are expected to pull out.
