Be sure to complete the Empire Test Pilots School qualification first and some aeronautical engineering as the jump to the Warrior is a huge leap.
The fact that there is no strut to step onto to check the fuel can be a real problem for midgets which is why why it is more popular with dwarf throwers than throwees.
People to talk to would be Chuck Yeager, Niel Armstrong and 'Blackjack Walker', as I remember reading about similar challenges they faced in their books.
Personally.......go by bicycle.