Prince Harry Laughed Off ‘Gangster’ Tag After Bragging About Military Helicopter Skills
A lighthearted on-camera exchange caught Prince Harry off guard after an interviewer teasingly dubbed him a “gangster” for naming helicopter aviation as his go-to skill.
During a promotional interview for the online education platform MasterClass—where the Duke of Sussex, 42, was featured to speak on the topic of navigating grief—the conversation took an unscripted detour. When the interviewer asked which subject he would teach if given his own course, Harry smiled and offered a straightforward reply: “How to fly a helicopter.”
“Okay, gangster,” the interviewer shot back off-camera, leaving Harry laughing in response.
A Look Back at Harry’s Military Flying Career
Harry’s off-the-cuff answer stems from years of intensive military aviation training during his decade-long career in the British Armed Forces:
-
2009–2010: Began basic rotary-wing flight training at the Defence Helicopter Flying School. In May 2010, he received his provisional Wings from his father, then-Prince Charles.
-
Apache Selection: Selected for elite training on the Apache attack helicopter, completing advanced live-fire and desert tactics programs in both the UK and the United States.
-
Active Combat (2012–2013): Qualified as a fully operational Apache pilot in 2012, subsequently deploying to Camp Bastion in southern Afghanistan for a 20-week combat tour as a co-pilot gunner.
-
Aircraft Commander (July 2013): Achieved qualification as an Apache Aircraft Commander, the top operational status within the unit.
A Family Tradition in the Cockpit
Harry is far from the only pilot in the immediate royal family:
-
Prince William: Qualified as an RAF search-and-rescue helicopter pilot and later served for over two years as an operational emergency pilot with the East Anglian Air Ambulance.
-
King Charles III & Prince Philip: Both qualified as military pilots, flying fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters during their service in the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.
Beyond the Cockpit: Athletic Pursuits and Creative Roots
Aside from military aviation, the Duke of Sussex has frequently displayed a wide range of personal hobbies:
-
Polo: A lifelong equestrian and high-goal polo competitor, regularly headlining charity matches such as the Sentebale Polo Cup and the Royal Salute Polo Challenge.
-
Surfing: Embracing coastal California life following his 2020 relocation, Harry took up surfing after receiving lessons as a 36th birthday gift from Meghan Markle. He has since been spotted riding artificial waves at Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch in Lemoore, California.
-
Visual Arts: Harry earned a B grade in A-level Art at Eton College, sharing an affinity for the visual arts with King Charles, who has painted watercolours for decades.
