<p>I was browsing over the academy website and looking over the requirements to be a pilot and it says that you must have a minimum standing/sitting height of 5’4"/34". I’m 5’2"ish/32.5"ish… I’m not sure if I want to be a pilot, but I at least want to have that option open. Is there any way they would overlook this? I have 20/20 vision, perfect hearing, etc.</p>
<p>There is no way you have perfect hearing. There is no way to overlook height.</p>
<p>That's true. What I mean is that I am qualified in every area other than height. Is there some sort of waiver I could obtain that would enable me to consider being a pilot? I'm awfully close...only 2 inches. It seems like the academy would have some process for girls who don't quite make the cut. It seems like 5'4" would eliminate a lot of people.</p>
<p>I dont think so, I am 5'4" myself and I am hoping im tall enough to fly the A-10. All I can say is drink milk.</p>
<p>Remember you still have four years of growth at the academy before they finally qualify or unqualify you for pilot training.</p>
<p>They really can't overlook height since the pilot needs to "fit" the ergonomics of the cockpit in regard to reach, ejection seat safety, etc. You can look for the complete body dimensions on the web. I remember finding them before. DODMeRB will probably make you be measured in all dimensions before they offer an appointment, I know they did my son. Not an issue for USNA or USMA, but was for USAFA.</p>
<p>Well i mean the tech who did my DoDMERB wasnt to thorough with the measuring. Basically he asked how high i was, did a quick measure but went off what i said... i mean if i was short could i have added an inch or two? Same with weight, he had me step on the scale (full clothed with cell phone, wallet, some change and swiss army knife in pocket) and said "ill subtract a pound or two."...</p>
<p>Either way, DoDMERB just says what your POTENTIAL... im sure the nitty gritty measuring will take place when they start selecting candidates for training... Much can change between now and then.</p>
<p>On a more optimistic note, females continue growing much longer than males. Most males are at their maximum height at age 18 (although I hear a lot of stories about freshmen gaining an inch or two). Females usually haven't reached their full height until about age 25.</p>
<p>"females continue growing much longer than males."</p>
<p>You have that reversed, women enter puberty earlier then males. Many males don't start puberty until 13-14 years old. Most females finish growing by age 16. Many males do not reach their finished height until 21. </p>
<p>As to the height issues, you have be tall enough to reach the pedals in the T-37/T-38. But you can be to tall too, have a friend who is just shy of 6'6. He hits his head on the canopy of the F-16 often. The seat adjust but not that much.</p>
<p>When I went to the academy, I got to do a flight simulation thing in the aviation department. They just gave me a little booster seat to sit on and I could reach everything in the cockpit just fine. Can't they do that in real life? And I'm sure I could get 5'4" wearing boots and a helmet...</p>
<p>No for several reasons.</p>
<p>You strap a parachute to your back in the T-37/T-38, it could interfere with the opening of the chute.</p>
<p>You can not have loose objects in the cockpit. Pulling Gs you can not slip off your seat. True story --guy on a long F-16 flight went to pee. Unhooked the strap to get at it, the strap got caught in between the the stick and his seat. Cause the airplane to go out of control. 30 million dollar airplane he ejected out of because of something loose in the cockpit. Most rules are written in blood. ---Means someone died.</p>
<p>When you sit alert you have to be able to strap in and takeoff in short time, you can be worried about a booster seat.</p>
<p>I stand corrected. but found this interesting factoid that gives some advantage to females. From Wikipedia:</p>
<p>"Height is also attained from growth of the spine, and contrary to popular belief, men are the "leggier" gender with a longer leg to torso ratio, conversely to women's longer torso to leg ratio."</p>
<p>Hence a short woman may stand a better chance of qualifying with torso height than a short man.</p>
<p>so if you are 34" sitting height, but are shorter than 5'4", you can still be a pilot?</p>
<p>I don't know about being a pilot. But there is a girl in squadron 7 i believe who is probably about 5'. I don't know if she wants a pilot slot, but she is here.</p>
<p>It is possible to apply for a height waiver, but whether or not it will get approved may be a different story, and I'm not sure about waivering it for two whole inches, as those numbers aren't arbitrary. Also, your sitting AND standing height need to meet requirements (or be waivered).</p>