Hey, I am 6'3" (without shoes on). I have not grown in a while and think I am pretty much done growing. I know that I meet the requirements on the AFROTC website ( 65"-77" ) but EVERYONE who sees me thinks I'm automatically too tall to fly a fighter. Am I really? Does anyone know any tall fighter pilots?

Thanks in advance.

Well, I have no idea about how you'll personally fit into a fighter cockpit.  You asked about knowing tall fighter pilots, and I said that I knew several who are taller than you.

But, I had a previous Squadron Commander in the F-15E who was 6'7", Chad Hennings' girth in the A-10 has been a long-talked about story (he was an NFL player who fit in okay).  If we were talking about flying a Spitfire or a Bearcat or something, then there might be some issues with tall or wide-shouldered pilots.  But, with most fighters, a bigger person will fit in there just fine.

I'm 6'2" and have pretty wide shoulders, and have had no problems in the Strike Eagle or T-38.  I have some F-16 time, and it was a little tight (sts) but completely workable.

 

Im 6"3' and I passed the Flight Class I physical with no problems

So your fine.

Youll find there are alot of..."idiots" out there when it comes to fighter pilots.  Some think if your over 6 foot your to tall...I've even heard some say you need BETTER then 20/20 to be a pilot lol.

I laugh at people when they say these things...because they are just ignorant.  For example, you can be a pilot if you have better then 20/70 natural vision, and wear glasses correcting to 20/20. 

Posted By AFcadet on 16 Nov 2009 12:49 PM

Youll find there are alot of..."idiots" out there when it comes to fighter pilots.

I think what you meant to say was "when it comes to people knowing about the physical and academic requirements and process to become a USAF fighter pilot".