London, May 9 : Prince William has indirectly defended his controversial helicopter 'joyrides' that have been condemned as a misuse of his RAF training.

During a trip to south Wales, the British royal said he has been "accused of wasting money" by "joyriding" in the military aircraft, reports the Telegraph.

However, Wills appeared to defend the flights, informing a pensioner that he has been trying to clock up as many hours in the air as he can, as part of his flying qualification.

The prince has been severely panned following the revelation that he was sanctioned to fly Chinook helicopters to a stag do on the Isle of Wight and to his girlfriend's family home during RAF training, which ended last month.

William also used the military aircraft to fly over Highgrove, the Gloucestershire home of his father the Prince of Wales, and over Sandringham, the Queen's residence in Norfolk.

Moreover, the royal took another Chinook trip to Hexham, Northumberland, where he joined a wedding party.

The Prince, who was awarded his RAF wings last month, made the defending comments during a visit to a community centre in Penygraig.

He met elderly people taking part in an "armchair aerobics" class, and told 82-year-old Mildred Francis: "I'm working on my licence. I'm trying to do as much flying as I can. But I've been accused of wasting money - joyriding."

Francis said later: "I congratulated him on his pilot's licence, but he said he's not had that, just his wings. He said he's got into a bit of trouble for flying, but he was very nice about it." (ANI)