I was just wondering, how big can you be and still fit in a fighter? I am looking into flying for the military after college (im 18) and have always wanted to fly fighters. Im only 5' 11'' but I have a large frame and I have large legs (I play hockey). I was wondering if this might be a problem if I want to fly fighters.

 

No, you're good. The Navy used to have a max height due the the A-4's canopy height. But when the A-4 went away, the height limit went, too.

You shouldn't have any problem with any U.S. fighter or trainer.

 

Only a fighter pilot would ever say "Size doesn't matter!" You know what they say....Big watch...Little.....never mind.

 

As long as you have a big neck, you're good to go. There are still some sit/reach/height limits by aircraft, and also min/max weights for ejection seats but "they" will work around that at selection time or make you sign a waiver - a friend of mine had to sign one when she went to fly Harriers (after being found too short for the Prowler..she's 5' 1" on a tall day) acknowledging that the pyrotechnic canopy spreader would most likely jack up her back if (when?) she ejected. Weights for the other seats are based on stability (if you're too light) or 0/0 capability (too big). We also had some issues in the H-60 with short folks not being able to get full left pedal in (used a lot on the H-60 at the boat) when they had the seat set to allow for full range of motion of the cyclic (stick).

The big gotcha nowadays is the height/weight standards. See here http://www.usnavy.vt.edu/CurrentStud...%20Bodyfat.pdf for the instruction. Even though you may be in fantastic shape, you can still run afoul of the tape measure (I've got two guys in this predicament - they can pass the PFA just fine but they've got skinny necks!)

HTH
Spongebob

 

You should be fine. I have seen guys anywhere from 6-6 and thin as a rail to 6-4 and built like a brick S#!T house fly in the hornet. I'm sure at 5'11" you should be good to go.

Good luck!

 

Just remember this: [---------------------------------------] is 6 inches in the fighter pilot world! It's all a matter of perspective. Just ask my wife.

 

Chad Hennings (was a defensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys) flew the A-10. If you're bigger than him....well, you've probably got problems with the other AF physical limitations!

 

Hey, I think he was under the old reg. As far as my seat and every other seat I've been in it 245 lbs max. I am 6'5", 230. No problems with any airplane for me. I do know a couple guys flying Vipers my size and they do say it's a tight fit. Good luck.

 

I went through A-4's with a Marine who had an issue with the canopy that had nothing to do with height - he (no s#!t) had to angle his shoulders off of square in order to close the thing. Once it was down though, he just wedged himself back to a 12 O'clock alignment and flew the bejesus out of that scooter. He never had any problems with the neck measurement either ...
But as 'pede said - we got rid of the A-4 (what a blast it was to fly those little rockets), and nearly everything in the inventory today is designed to accomodate just about any body size this side of freakish in order to maximize our pool of "human capital" (I can't believe I used that ugly phrase in this forum - sorry!). So you're PROBABLY ok.

Hey, Sponge - how is our diminutive friend doing? I was involved in that decision to send her other than Prowlers.

 

She's good. She went Harriers (to follow her then husband) and gave them an excuse to atrite her on her final sim like almost every other female there (1 of 4 women made it through that year; she'd gotten a SOD on weapons flight before) and went Commo. Got out and is now working as an IPT Lead designing helo's.