Posted on Jan 10, 2019
How can I become a pilot if I'm under the height requirement?
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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?
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?
Posted in these groups: 
153A: Rotary Wing Aviator (Aircraft Nonspecific)
153A: Rotary Wing Aviator (Aircraft Nonspecific)
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 6
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 (Join to see), CW5 Sam R. Baker, CW3 (Join to see)
CW3 (Join to see), CW5 Sam R. Baker, CW3 (Join to see)
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S Woo
Yes it was a recruiter which I’m very skeptical since some lie to meet quotas. Is there a number I can call to reach someone who does flight physicals?
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Filmed in Nieuwpoort, Belgium during the witch festival Jeanne Panne 2012. scene: Inquisition uses the rack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6Zq-BghzP8
Maybe this will help...Sorry I could not refuse this one.
Maybe this will help...Sorry I could not refuse this one.
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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.
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PO3 Christian Brielmaier
To kinda piggyback on this, check out your nearest helicopter flight school. You can get a Discovery flight for about 100$, and you'll get a feel for how far away the controls and instruments are. Will give you an idea of how comfortable you'll be
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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!
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!
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PO3 Christian Brielmaier
Guess I should have clarified:)
The Caps correct; the recruiter will submit the waiver on your behalf. What I meant was that I'm not sure if it is a permanent disqualifying condition. Certain conditions can't be waived because they prevent you from performing your job safely. Being on certain medications (like insulin injections), certain heart conditions, or physical abnormalities like uncorrectable vision problems are permanent DQs.
CPT (Join to see)
The Caps correct; the recruiter will submit the waiver on your behalf. What I meant was that I'm not sure if it is a permanent disqualifying condition. Certain conditions can't be waived because they prevent you from performing your job safely. Being on certain medications (like insulin injections), certain heart conditions, or physical abnormalities like uncorrectable vision problems are permanent DQs.
CPT (Join to see)
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S Woo
PO3 Christian Brielmaier oh okay! That makes sense. When I inquired through the website they asked me my height and when I said 63” they said there currently aren’t any waivers on height same as my recruiter that’s why he suggested it might be easier once in however I’m 26 so if I enlist I’ll be right there at the end of my 6 year contact 32 years old and cut off is 33 for pilot. I appreciate all your insight.
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PO3 Christian Brielmaier
You're off to a good start if y9uve already visited the WOFT recruiting page!
On that page click the link that takes you to the WOFT briefs in your area. I'd get in touch with the POC for your area and at least attend a brief.
Without opening a huge flame war I suggest you do not take everything your recruiter says for gospel. Their job is to fill vacancies and as sad as it is, not all of them have your best interest at heart. The other issue is that most do not have a ton of experience with these types of applications.
When I get back home I'll see if I can look up the height thing. As with the Captain's comment- pretty much everything is waiverable unless it prevents you from doing your job. I doubt being an inch too short is a deal breaker.
I wouldn't worry too much about your age. If you find out the condition is not waiverable and you want to enlist, your age won't matter since you won't fly.
Search this forum or vertical reference to see what others think about enlisting to improve your chances of getting picked led up. I would personally advise against enlisting solely to try and improve your chances. If anything, I think it throws more roadblocks on the already long path.
S Woo
On that page click the link that takes you to the WOFT briefs in your area. I'd get in touch with the POC for your area and at least attend a brief.
Without opening a huge flame war I suggest you do not take everything your recruiter says for gospel. Their job is to fill vacancies and as sad as it is, not all of them have your best interest at heart. The other issue is that most do not have a ton of experience with these types of applications.
When I get back home I'll see if I can look up the height thing. As with the Captain's comment- pretty much everything is waiverable unless it prevents you from doing your job. I doubt being an inch too short is a deal breaker.
I wouldn't worry too much about your age. If you find out the condition is not waiverable and you want to enlist, your age won't matter since you won't fly.
Search this forum or vertical reference to see what others think about enlisting to improve your chances of getting picked led up. I would personally advise against enlisting solely to try and improve your chances. If anything, I think it throws more roadblocks on the already long path.
S Woo
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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.
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.
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