Harry may have enough 'brains' for Apache

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LONDON, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Britain's Prince Harry is being considered as an Apache attack helicopter pilot, despite once saying he didn't have the "brain capacity" for it, sources say.

The Mail on Sunday reported sources at the Army Air Corps headquarters in Middle Wallop, England, said Harry is being considered as a pilot for the complicated aircraft after doing well in his current training.

The Mail said if the prince does get to fly the Apache, it might mean he could return to the front line in Afghanistan, where he served in December 2008. There is a shortage of Apache crews, in the theater, the report said.

The prince until now has been learning to fly a Lynx utility helicopter, used for support and convoy protection as well as ferrying troops around; but Apaches have a more direct combat role.

"He has a good idea that he has been shortlisted and he's really had his head down as he has a lot of work on at the moment," one of his superiors at Middle Wallop told the Mail. "His dream is to fly an Apache and we've told him it will all depend on how he does on the next part of the course. It certainly hasn't been ruled out."

The report said the prince will have to undergo another six to eight weeks of training before any decision on a helicopter is made.