Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, is a "natural" pilot.

Duchess Catherine

Duchess Catherine

The 35-year-old royal tested out a flight simulator when she visited the Royal Air Force (RAF) cadets - who are in the first months of their training - during a personal development lesson on Tuesday (14.02.17), and was picked up the controls quickly, according to Flight Lieutenant Michael Salter.

Michael told People magazine: "She was gentle on the controls. Very often people are too rough but she had it exactly right. The controls are extremely sensitive, and she was extremely sensitive.

"She wanted to understand what the feeling was like in the air. She now realises how the controls alter the sensation in the air. She was a natural."

Flight Sergeant Jordan Avery, 18, said the brunette beauty's flying skills were "very good" and placed her at the "same standard" as himself.

He said: "Her flying was very good -- probably the same standard as I am, and I've been on the course for a day."

Duchess Catherine - who has three-year-old son Prince George and 21-month-old daughter Princess Charlotte with her husband Prince William - took over as Honorary Air Commandant of the Air Cadets in December 2015, when 95-year-old Prince Philip stepped down from the role.

The RAF Cadets aims to promote practical interest in aviation amongst young men and women, and provides training to encourage the development of life skills including teamwork and leadership.

There are around 41,000 cadets ages 12-19 as well as 15,000 adult volunteers in the UK and abroad.

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