Can I have extra legroom if I check-in early?

[Gingerbread Man]

I have just gone through OASC for general duties / pilot. I got good marks for aptitude and interview, but when it came to the medical review i had a problem. My arse-to-knee length was too long by 8mm. I completely understand why thats a problem in a fast jet (ejection can be messy etc) and clearly I was gutted. . .I was wondering however, where the measurement restrictions come from. Do they come from the ejection seat clearance in fast jets, or is it the legroom in a Firefly? (am I right in thinking that for multi-engined you go straight from Firefly to Jetstream?). .Sorry to bother you pros who are already way passed this sort of thing, but I thought you'd be the most likely to know. Any answers or comments would be much appreciated, Cheers.

[ 02 March 2002: Message edited by: Gingerbread Man ]</p>

[TimC]

Sorry to hear you failed the medical for Pilot/Nav. I failed (for nav only, biggles a no go for me due to crap eyesight) it for the same reason, though I was only a couple of mm over the limit. The medical examiner tried hard to get me under the limit (slammed the thing against my knee a lot), but I was still over. Not too fussed coz I want to be an aeop anyway <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> .

As I understand it, all pilots/navs are selected as potential fast jet mates. Therefore, the anthro limits for pilot/nav are based on the smallest cockpits in the fleet.

[Sailor boy]

The rules for the RN used to be different from the Crabs. Not too sure if it’s still the same but worth a look at if you still want a military flying career. I had many happy years as a WAFU, but it’s not for everybody. I’m sure there’s been a fair amount of comments in the past on similar subject so it may be worth searching the archives.

[WE Branch Fanatic]

Too late Mike....Blair's just chopped the FAA.

[Gingerbread Man]

TimC,. .Does that mean that in theory, you could train as a multi-engined pilot without ever having to sit on an ejection seat? Or do you have to train on a Tucano at some point? If the former is true, then how come the RAF doesn't allow people to train solely for multi-engined, why does everyone need to have the potential to fly fast jets? I would gladly fly a Hercules or something similar, but I am not given the chance because I am too tall for a fast jet.. .If you do have to train on a Tucano, then I understand why you can't specify which type of pilot you want to be. . .If anyone knows the answer then that would put me a little more at ease. (As you can see i'm having trouble letting go of something i've dreamt about for so long!). .M R,. .I think the doctor who gave me the bad news said that the limits were the same for all three services, but I don't know if she knew for sure or not. I would definitely consider the RN if it meant I could fly a Harrier (you'll have to forgive my ignorance, but I don't know what WAFU stands for), but if WEBF is correct then that may not be possible.. .WEBF, . .What exactly do you mean about the Fleet Air Arm being 'chopped'. Does it not exist anymore?

Thanks for the information everyone, I appreciate it. <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

[Tonkenna]

Everyone starts as a potential fast jet pilot as that is really what the RAF is all about. The multi and helo world can usually be filled by those who do not make it in the fast jet world, so there is no need to recruit for multi only pilots. This may seem harsh for those just outside the anthro limits for fast jet but the pilot appitude for multis/helos, but that is the way it is and there has to be a limit somewhere I suppose.. .. .Tonks