Height and aviation

U

USNA29

NROTC(WIN) AFROTC USAFA(LOA) USNA(LOA) Applicant
Joined
Sep 30, 2024
Messages
71
Hello,

I am a 5'6 "male. My sitting height is 32 inches. Is this too short to fly, particularly jets (F18/EA18/F35) or even USAF jets? I found general information, but I can't seem to find any recent information regarding jets specifically.

Thanks
 
Anthro standards aren’t readily published online for various reasons. They really aren’t something to worry about though because you can’t control how long your dimensions are. There are also very specific ways the measurements are done, by a certified person in Pensacola who has been doing it for years. It’s not just sitting height, it’s also arm reach, leg length, body weight, some other random ones

I will say I know several people on the shorter end that are Navy jet pilots, or currently training to become one. Also a bunch of shorter Jet NFOs as they have even more inclusive anthro standards for the backseat.

A lot can happen between now and platform selection… You wont find out what airframes you’re anthro’d out of until you check into Pensacola and get measured. Also, keep in mind majority of Navy pilots are helos. Jets and TACAIR (includes E-2) only make up at most like 25% of the aviators. It’s mainly luck and timing. If you’re interested in Fly Navy, then put it on your preference sheet when it comes time
 
Ivy22 said:
Anthro standards aren’t readily published online for various reasons. They really aren’t something to worry about though because you can’t control how long your dimensions are. There are also very specific ways the measurements are done, by a certified person in Pensacola who has been doing it for years. It’s not just sitting height, it’s also arm reach, leg length, body weight, some other random ones
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Not sure if it is still the case, but this used to be done/available at USNA.
 
OldRetSWO said:
Not sure if it is still the case, but this used to be done/available at USNA.
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They do it at NROTC and OCS too to give people an idea but the “official” results they will use are the ones done at NASC by the civilian who measures all the students down there

I’ve seen people be good for all platforms with USNA/NROTC/OCS measurements and then check into NASC and find out they’re slightly too tall somewhere for T-45s and therefore no jets.
 
Also seen the reverse happen too, someone is too short or doesn’t weigh enough for a platform and then with the NASC measurements in Pensacola, they’re good for everything.

They no longer do “fit checks” in cockpits for people just outside the accepted range on an airframe, but they can entertain waivers for a remeasure for exceptional primary students (won’t waive if you’re still outside the anthro requirements on the remeasure)

The one anthro requirement I do know off the top of my head is 103 lbs minimum body weight for ejection seats (T-6, T-45, 18s, F-35). But weight isn’t a hard limit because it’s the one that actually can change. There’s also a max weight limit for ejection seats too, somewhere in the 230s or 240s range, I want to guess 245
 
I would expect that height/weight requirements vary by platform, but you have to consider all the platforms in a training pipeline to determine if you can get to a particular jet. Back in the day, the all TacAir pilots went through an A-4 syllabus, and the A-4 cockpit was cramped for those above a certain height (not only cramped, but you could get cutoff at the knees in an ejection), so those above a certain height couldn't fly jets.
 
Old Navy BGO said:
I would expect that height/weight requirements vary by platform, but you have to consider all the platforms in a training pipeline to determine if you can get to a particular jet. Back in the day, the all TacAir pilots went through an A-4 syllabus, and the A-4 cockpit was cramped for those above a certain height (not only cramped, but you could get cutoff at the knees in an ejection), so those above a certain height couldn't fly jets.
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T-45 nowadays is similar where F-18 and F-35 can allow for more sizes of people, but T-45 is kinda cramped. Usually that’s the one that gets people on the taller/bigger end.

There’s other random stuff too like helicopters have a minimum body weight for the stroking seats. The new TH-73 allows for taller people to fly helicopters though. The older TH-57 was kinda small. They do have seat cushions for shorter people in the helicopter to help them see.

@USNA29 I wouldn’t worry about your sitting height as 5’6” male (mainly since you can’t really change it). You might have to raise your seat up and move the rudder pedals closer to you, but trust me, I’ve seen shorter here
 
LA rockymnt hi said:
I can share with you, my 5’1” daughter was “cleared” for all areas of commission opportunities during her 2/C physical.
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Thanks for the info. Do you know if this includes all of the different warfare communities that mids can go into, or like what people said earlier on this thread where you can get measured for different types of aircraft eligibility at USNA?
 
USNA29 said:
Thanks for the info. Do you know if this includes all of the different warfare communities that mids can go into, or like what people said earlier on this thread where you can get measured for different types of aircraft eligibility at USNA?
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She walked out of the physical and told me “I can officially commission in any and all of the communities based on height, weight, eyesight, hearing.”
 
Ivy22 said:
T-45 nowadays is similar where F-18 and F-35 can allow for more sizes of people, but T-45 is kinda cramped. Usually that’s the one that gets people on the taller/bigger end.

There’s other random stuff too like helicopters have a minimum body weight for the stroking seats. The new TH-73 allows for taller people to fly helicopters though. The older TH-57 was kinda small. They do have seat cushions for shorter people in the helicopter to help them see.

@USNA29 I wouldn’t worry about your sitting height as 5’6” male (mainly since you can’t really change it). You might have to raise your seat up and move the rudder pedals closer to you, but trust me, I’ve seen shorter here
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Wdym by here ( if you want to share)
 
USNA29 said:
Hello,

I am a 5'6 "male. My sitting height is 32 inches. Is this too short to fly, particularly jets (F18/EA18/F35) or even USAF jets? I found general information, but I can't seem to find any recent information regarding jets specifically.

Thanks
Click to expand...
The updated 2023 instruction can be found open source with a google search for "naval aviation anthropometric requirements." On initial look, 32" looks OK for USN/USMC jets.
I am not a recent flight student, but do have experience with receiving anthro measurements and re-measurements mid-career.
You're likely at the mercy of the person conducting the measurements and the type of equipment used. It would not hurt to have your desired numbers in mind and keep a positive mental attitude. Trying to persuade or negotiate with whomever is doing the measurements may not work out well. Good luck!
 
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