What is the best body structure for a fighter pilot(woman)....what is the min. height....stout,lanky,muscular,short..which is the best suited body shape?
2007-03-04 21:25:33 · 6 answers · asked by sindy 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
I was 5'8" and 165 when I entered Av Cads. That's fairly small for a male, but I fit a fighter cockpit just right. Strength is not really an issue as all the controls are hydraulically driven. Minnie Mouse could easily horse an F-15 around the sky. Most important are eyesight, coordination, reflexes, and intelligence, not necessarily in that order. The Air Force has lots of lady pilots these days, some of them even flying combat (a practice I do not approve, but it's not up to me). I retired before there really were female fighter pilots, so have never known any. The pics I've seen show what appear to be just average girls.
A bit on why I disapprove of girls flying combat. You ladies are the ones that perpetuate our species. Built into all the women I've known is a hesitation when it comes to violence. Simply stated, you hesitate before you pull the trigger. Men don't. When a split-second decision on the part of my wingman can mean life or death for me, I don't want hesitation. All that said, I truly wish you the best of luck.
2007-03-06 00:38:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
*Minimum* height really isn't an issue. It's *maximum* height that can make or break your chances, because if you're too tall your head won't fit under the canopy. You need to be below 74 inches, I think. This shouldn't be a problem for you (as a female) unless your name is Margo Dydek.
As far as the aerobic and anerobic fitness standards, I think it depends on the branch of service. You can check the Air Force's OTS site for the Air Force standards.http://www.airforceots.com
But one of the most crucial issues is eyesight. It won't matter one bit that you're a reigning champion triathlete if your vision isn't up to snuff. Here again, each branch is different. Most of the armed services allow for some type of corrective laser eye surgery to bring your eyesight up to their standards if you haven't been blessed with perfect 20/10 vision.
But, laser eye surgery only improves your visual acuity; it's useless if you suffer from color blindness or if (like me) you lack proper depth perception--which is what effectively killed my dreams of becoming an Air Force pilot, or even a navigator.
The military has extremely tough, almost unrealistic, standards along these lines.
I'm not trying to scare you off or anything, but just be prepared for disappointment. Good luck.
2007-03-05 12:16:10 · answer #2 · answered by Student 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I searched a bit this am, and found this link to the airforce site...
http://www.afa.org/magazine/jan2004/0104fitness.asp
do well and I hope you find an answer.
edz
2007-03-05 09:00:09 · answer #3 · answered by ed b 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
...a quick phone call to the Air Force recurter should do it.
2007-03-08 19:03:26 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
ask the various branch recruiters, they should have real life specs for you on that
2007-03-05 05:33:11 · answer #5 · answered by Charles V 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
not too short, not too tall....
Not fat, but slightly muscular will help
2007-03-09 21:08:42 · answer #6 · answered by predhead33 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋