Pilot Height?

Question

Is it possible to be a pilot even if you are below the height requirements? I'm currently only 58.5 inches and I need to be 62 in order to be a pilor. Does anyone know if this can be waived?

If not does anyone have any tips on how to get taller? Please do not post links to other sites selling pills and such. I'm currently 14 years old, so I'm pretty sure that it is still possible for me to grow. Also if you can please do not put jump more.... I hear my mother say it too often.

If it is of any importance my mother is 5 foot and my father is 5 foot 3 inches.

Any help at all would be wonderful. Thank you.

Answer 1

Eat well. Vitamins and minerals are very important. Other than that, it'll be up to your genetics. Remember, much of the world is 5'5" tall. The worse thing as far as machine operation is being too tall. Believe me I'm 6'4" tall and my closest friend is 6'11" tall. There are cars we can't drive, let alone aircraft. Take care of yourself and you'll grow a bit.

Answer 2

Human beings reach their maximum height at age 22.  There is a good chance that you will reach 62 or probably taller.

Eat your spinach and do plenty of walking and stretching exercises.  Don't smoke, and be sure not to get pregnant before age 22.  These will increase your chances of reaching 5 ft 2 ins to 5 ft 4 ins.

In any case, height limitations are set by the airline companies and are not a matter of regulations.

If you are talented and determined, you should have no problems.  Good luck!

Answer 3

In the USA, there are no height requirements to become a pilot.  As long as your feet can reach the pedals and you can see out the windshield of the aircraft, you can fly.

As for becomming a commercial pilot for an airline like Cathay Pacific...  You'll have to deal with the physical requirements that the airline company has established for their pilots.

Answer 4

You can get a Private license and perhaps a commercial but probably not an Air Transport Rating (ATR) required for the airlines.  If the FAA physical doesn't restrict you, then airline hiring rules will.  The reason is the cockpit layout started with a "Design Eye" range and the geometry and viewing angles for the things you must see are measured around the "design eye" range.  If your sitting height puts your eyes below the specified design, you may not be able to see everything that it critical for safe flight.  The USAF measures you against a minimum and maximum sitting height, not your total height, because it better determines that your eye level will be in the design range.

Answer 5

I can't find any height requirements but here is a website with the rules of becoming a pilot for private aircraft:

http://www.aviationexplorer.com/pilot_li...

Answer 6

it is possible you may have a growth spurt waiting.  I do not know if you can get a wiaver. I knew a kid in Highschool who, at 16, was only 4'6". His parents got him on some growth hormone treatments with a physician.

something like six years later, I am standing outsede a club in Manassas, Virginia and see this giant of a fellow...I am six three, I had to LOOK UP to make eye contact with this guy...smokin a cigarette. He looks familiar, the hair, the glasses...we got to talking..

"...JODY?..holy c**p, is that really you!?!"

*UBER deep voice*

"Yeah, it' me.....ha ha ha..."

"Good God, dude....what the h**l did they give you?"

"Growth Hormone treatments. The running joke is I got one too many.."

Yeah, Jody Bryce, Little jody...towering over me at almost seven feet.

Give it time. You may sprout. I doubt GH treatmenst will be an option...Jody was practically a midget.

Answer 7

At 14 and as a female, I'd suggest that you still have some growing to do; it's generally accepted that children (in the West) have access to nutrition such that they will seldom be shorter than their shortest parent - and most equal or surpass their taller parent - so don't fret - just keep eating well!

Think of it this way - you have more inches of guys to choose from!

The aircraft I fly have adjustable pedals and I know that some pilots use thicker seat cushions that come with the aeroplane.

Being a good pilot is more about temperament, skill and years of training than how tall you are; when the time comes, fly every moment you can, study hard and think like a pilot (Safety, safety, safety!) every waking moment, and you'll be right.

Good luck!