How does it feel to fly/sit in the cockpit of a fighter jet?

Question

Do you have any room to strech your legs? How about your arms? How do you urinate?

Answer 1

I did not fly fighters but I have flown in the back seat of F-18 and A-7 trainers (two seaters). I actual flew Lockheed S-3 Vikings, a small carrier based reconnaissance jet, in the Navy. First of all there are height limitations in the newer fighter aircraft. If I am correct, F-16 pilots cannot be more that 5'101/2", F-18 pilots approximately 5'11", therefore, you have limited mobility in these type aircraft but you can move your legs a little. You are basically crammed into a seat that actual is comfortable to the body with plenty of room to move your arms to operate the toggle or joystick type controls to maneuver the aircraft and all the weapons systems available. Depending on the length of an operation your flight suit can be equipped with a urination system designed to absorb any liquid.

Answer 2

Depends on the fighter. The extremes in my case were the F-104 for tightest fit, the F-111 for the most room. Can you stretch your legs? Yes, even in the 104 there was room for that. There wasn't a lot of room for moving the upper part of your body around, however. Not a problem, just close. The 111 had plenty of room to wiggle around in. Urination in the 104 wasn't much of a problem because the duration of the flight was seldom more than 1 1/2 hours, often less. In the 111, I had a urine bottle over my left shoulder fitted in a recess specifically designed to take it, and snacks, that sort of thing. Almost a glove compartment without a lid. Reason was, the 111 was capable of almost endless flight, and the mission design was 3 hours.

Answer 3

Believe it or not, the "big guys" aren't too good for a fighter cockpit, in fact, I believe 5'10" is the max height... which is why Tom Cruise was great for the role in that Topgun movie (which most real fighter pilots hate, because it doesn't accuratly depict the life of a fighter pilot). As on of the negative sides of being a military veteran, one becomes the worst military movie critic ever!; becuase, when you've been there, and then see how Hollywood screewriters have ignored the obvious... let me mention the Marine movie Jarheads; I've trained with Marines, Airforce, Army, and Navy Seals... Never, Never have I seen a soldier, sailor, or marine behave the way those actors did. But I digress... uhm, pissing in the pilots seat? Well, most big boys and big girls can "hold it" as their aren't too many long-haul flights, but if there was a need for it, (and I was up there) i'd piss in my suit, rather than getting shot down!

Answer 4

12 years in the air force, not a pilot, but I got to have the seat before and friends that did the flying. Sitting in the seat is a great feeling if your into flying. the power and maneuverability at your touch and control. In todays aircraft, you can adjust the seating for your size to some extent so that you're not too enclosed and can stretch out your legs and be fairly relaxed. as for doing the relief thing, they wear what can be refferred to as a diaper for extended flights

Answer 5

The feeling of flight is quite wonderful, to know that you are flying among the birds and in most cases much higher then they are. In most aircraft you do have room to stretch your legs and arms, and as far as going to the washroom you either land, or if you have one on board then thats great. If not and you really have to go well lets just say that I have heard some creative stories. (use your
imagination )

Answer 6

It's kind of a tight fit but there is fidgeting room; you can reach your arms a bit, but be careful the widgets and be very careful of the ejection handle which is actually up over your head; there's a "relief tube" which is basically a hose leading to a small hole in the side of the plane.

Answer 7

as for the many russian planes> they have the bulletproof slab of glass in front of pilot. hence, it is convenient to have a support beam rimming the glass, and allowing the simple opening of canopy. think of it this way> having separate windshield (including the bulletproof front) provides your pilot with extra safety in case of canopy lock failure. if canopy is out of one piece and locks fail, canopy MAY fly right away, and the poor pilot has nothing to hide behind, having only one option - eject handles. if he has the windshield he MAY continue flight (at the risc of hypoxia, hypotermia and other low pressure turbulent airflow related phenomena. jim> while flying the Mi 24 from the gunner seat, i MINDED the beam a lot. inflight, the beam was directly at the horizon, hiding wires and the likes. i had to sit .. well, like at a toilet, forearms at knees :)

Answer 8

It is friggin AWESOME!!!! there is lots of room to be comfortable, if you have to pee, it's better to go before you strap in because access to your wee wee is very difficult when you are wearing a g suit, flight suit, a parachute and the seat harness all the while flying an airplane

Answer 9

kool not much room but u go to the little boys room befor u fly

Answer 10

It's fairly comfortable, the smell is something you won't forget,and you urinate into a tube.