How can I become a pilot if I'm under the height requirement?

2019-01-10T17:12:03-05:00

Hi everyone,

I’m a potential recruit wanting to join the army as a pilot but I am 63” where the requirement is 64+, however, I was told it’s hard for civilians to go street to seat if under the requirements but if I enlist they might be more lenient and let me do a cockpit test to reach the switches and pass the flight physical. If I enlist I’d like to go 15T then work my way up. If becoming a pilot doesn’t work out I’ll probably go green to gold eventually. Any thoughts on this and if they really do work with you more if you’re active vs street to seat?

Response by PO3 Christian Brielmaier made Jan 10 at 2019 5:28 PM

2019-01-10T17:28:55-05:00

Not sure but I think you can get a waiver if you're an attractive enough canidate. What I can say is that a waiver is a waiver, regardless of if you're active duty or civilian. So if it turns out that the minimum height is a non-wavierable condition, then going active duty will not change that.

I'd go through the motions and see the flight doc before you sign anything.

If you're good with enlisting then by all means do that- just know that there is no guarantee it will improve your odds of getting picked up to fly.

Good luck!

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2019 5:30 PM

2019-01-10T17:30:22-05:00

Who has told you "I was told it’s hard for civilians to go street to seat if under the requirements but if I enlist they might be more lenient and let me do a cockpit test to reach the switches and pass the flight physical." Was it a Recruiter?

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member, CW5 Sam R. Baker, CW3 Private RallyPoint Member

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jan 10 at 2019 7:11 PM

2019-01-10T19:11:11-05:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6Zq-BghzP8

Maybe this will help...Sorry I could not refuse this one.

medieval torture the rack

Filmed in Nieuwpoort, Belgium during the witch festival Jeanne Panne 2012. scene: Inquisition uses the rack

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Jan 11 at 2019 6:08 PM

2019-01-11T18:08:15-05:00

Here at USAACE we do in cockpit evaluations for those who don't quite meet the measurements on the flight physical IAW the regulations. There ARE waivers also, your recruiter may not be trying to get you in as a warrant officer or officer and work toward an enlistment. If you are set on being an aviator, exhaust all means before considering other options. You may have to go to a aviation unit and receive an evaluation to see if you can reach the pedals, collective/thrust and cyclic with all other buttons, knobs and the like of the cockpit while harnessed to the aircraft seat. I do not have good number for you, but if desired I will try to find one.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2019 10:05 PM

2019-02-13T22:05:25-05:00

I don’t specifically recall a height requirement for army aviation.....There is however, a certain seated height, total arm reach, and crotch height that we call “anthropometrics”. Total arm reach must be equal to or greater than
164.0cm. Sitting height must equal to or less than 102.0 cm. Crotch height equal to or greater than 75.0 cm. I know of at least a couple aviation’s that I work with who have gotten waivers for this.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Jul 22 at 2019 9:34 AM

2019-07-22T09:34:19-04:00

As long as your not blind