What is the maximum height requirement for helicopter pilots?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 12:48:42 -0500

im looking into going flight warrant and im study for the sift and preparing to make this my career the only things that worry me are that im 6'4 250 lbs im not fat by any means just a larger guy. i am wondering if this will keep me from passing a flight physical . and the second thing is that my vision isnt within standards to fly andf i need to get thr prk surgery. if i do the surgery will it put me in compliance enough to be able to fly? any and all answers are welcome and feel free to add me.

thanks ahead of time

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Nov 8 at 2019 1:12 PM

CPL Gary Pifer — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 13:12:13 -0500

I knew a 6.7 USMC pilot who flew Rotorcraft as he could not fit in jet cockpit. Have you sat in various aircraft? I would pay a visit to a flight surgeon and ask the other questions.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2019 1:28 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 13:28:43 -0500

Review AR 40-501, chapters 2 and 4

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2019 3:07 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 15:07:13 -0500

No you are not too tall. I personally know someone who is probably the same build as you and they are flying.

Response by LCDR Thomas Combs made Nov 8 at 2019 3:50 PM

LCDR Thomas Combs — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 15:50:11 -0500

Weight is typically not a problem, but height might be. You won’t know until the physical though. Most likely you’ll be fine. Eyes are a different story. That question can only be answered by a flight surgeon.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Nov 8 at 2019 6:56 PM

MAJ Matthew Arnold — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 18:56:51 -0500

When I went to flight school in 1984 I was 6'5" and 235 lbs. Your total height being over 6'4" is waiverable as long as your sitting height is within the limit. I forget what that limit is, but I was within the sitting height limit. I am guessing that you will be also. Back in 1984 that sitting height limit was not waiverable. That being said, I did not fit well in an OH-58 and the army at that time would not consider me to fly the OH-58. That was fine with me, I wanted to follow in the footsteps of Col. Bruce Crandall and Major Ed "Too Tall" Freeman and fly the UH-1 anyway. So, you will probably not fit well in the MD500 or any of the smaller aircraft. The AH-1 and the AH-64 was a tight squeeze for me, but there are plenty of big guys flying them. It's up to you and how bad you want to fly the AH-64 and the mission. The UH-60 will have plenty of room for you to comfortably fit in it and fly it for hours.