Waiver if not initially pilot qualified at appointment

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Lima22

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If a female CC is appointed but is less than 5’4”, can she receive a waiver to fly? What about a waiver that lets her fly fighters? When is the earliest this can be determined? Saw some material that answers the first question as a yes, but nothing about fighters. Personal experience, anecdotal evidence welcome.
 
I am by no means a pilot, but just my layman's thinking is if a waiver can be granted it would possibly be based on the applicant being able to reach all the pedals and controls. I know most aircraft have pedal, seat, and aircraft controls that are adjustable, just how far I have no idea. This may be something to ask admissions or if AFROTC, their CO prior to getting into the program. I have seen in various places where pilot programs have max height restrictions (probably again due to not adjust the controls far enough or their head hitting the canopy), but I don't think I have seen minimums discussed. Again, I would go to the source and get clarification if this is what the applicant desires and find out before committing. Five years post graduation in a field someone does not want to be in can be difficult to handle and make life not so happy..:)
 
Q = If a female CC is appointed but is less than 5’4”, can she receive a waiver to fly? What about a waiver that lets her fly fighters? When is the earliest this can be determined? Saw some material that answers the first question as a yes, but nothing about fighters. Personal experience, anecdotal evidence welcome.

A= First off, nobody receives waiver to fly until their junior year...ROTC or SA. So for Admissions, this question is a non-player. Secondly, it's not so much your standing height, as it is your sitting height and ability to reach the pedals. During a flight physical, they take very precise measurements to figure that out...anthropometric....The waivers, would be granted for specific flying platforms. In lay terms, some air frames big an little people can fly, some they can't.//Personal experience, anecdotal evidence welcome. = this would only be useful to you with the exams measurements folks had and what was waived for what air frames. If it starts out with "I know a guy...that knew a gal..who was my brother's first cousin..."....you get my point.
 
Son had a friend at USAFA who was 62” tall (64-77” is within standards) and a sitting height of 32” (34-40” is standards). She applied for and got a pilot slot. During Spring break their senior year she flew to several Air Force bases and was given measurement testing in various platforms. She was only qualified in the C-17 so she went to UPT knowing that she could only get that airframe.

Fighters (and some bombers) are problematic in that their ejection seats are fixed in place. So, the only adjustments that can be done are the pedals fore and aft, and the control devices to a smaller degree. Each airframe will be different.

Stealth_81
 
MullenLE said:
A= First off, nobody receives waiver to fly until their junior year...ROTC or SA. So for Admissions, this question is a non-player. Secondly, it's not so much your standing height, as it is your sitting height and ability to reach the pedals. During a flight physical, they take very precise measurements to figure that out...anthropometric...
Click to expand...

Thank you Mr. Mullen. I understand the issue doesn’t get determined until one is a Cadet, “junior year.” Is there a way to get measured prior to accepting an appointment? Are there explanations somewhere that describe the specific measurements? Or, is this one of those things, where you have to take your chances. And, I suppose I realize when it comes to a flight physical, this is probably just one of many ways to get disqualified.
 
Stealth_81 said:
She was only qualified in the C-17 so she went to UPT knowing that she could only get that airframe.
Click to expand...

Thank you Stealth 81. This is helpful. I’m sort of hoping to hear one anecdote of someone 63” who could have been able to fly multiple types of airframes. That would give the possibility that there is a chance to be qualified. Based on Mr. Mullen’s email, I realize the stories may not be super helpful. But, your input or others who are well known on the board are still data.
 
Stealth_81 is correct for that specific case.

Lima 22 = Thank you Mr. Mullen. I understand the issue doesn’t get determined until one is a Cadet, “junior year.” Is there a way to get measured prior to accepting an appointment? Are there explanations somewhere that describe the specific measurements? Or, is this one of those things, where you have to take your chances. And, I suppose I realize when it comes to a flight physical, this is probably just one of many ways to get disqualified.

ANSWER = NO. So the rudimentary measurements made by Civ team during the DoDMERB exam are for Potential Pilot, with the emphasis on "potential." The anthropometric measurements are taken by specially trained folks on specially designed equipment. These folks and equipment are used for actual Flying Class I exams on actual folks being considered for pilot training.

Does that help?
 
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