Daughters for Pilots
Daughters for Pilots
Guest
Posts: n/a
I don't think anything has been scientfically proven but I've heard this is true for deep sea divers and airline pilots. The Y chromosome is more fragile than the X chromosome - one theory is that the huge temperature and pressure changes experienced by divers and pilots can harm the genetic composition of the Y DNA, killing them off and meaning that the X's are more dominant. Hence a daughter is more likely!
I guess the girls can handle the pressure.........!
I guess the girls can handle the pressure.........!
huge temperature and pressure changes experienced by divers and pilots
Last edited by keithl; 24th Aug 2004 at 11:02.
PPRuNe Handmaiden
I believe Captain Airclues has 3 sons. 
With MY reputation?
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not fussed, as long as it's "Child Friendly"
Age: 52
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It must be true, my wife has just given birth to our first child (a boy), and I've never been at the controls of an aircraft in my life! (Unless 900 hours a year on FS2002 counts, it seems to be good enough for plenty of other people who post on this site) 
PHX
PHX
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Canada
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I first heard this rumour early in the '70s. (I have 2 daughters) If there is any truth to it, it must be a relatively small effect rather than an 80% chance. An 80% chance would be so obvious that someone would have been drawn to do a statistical study.
I will say that at the jet bases I was posted to, there did seem to be more daughters than sons born to pilots. On the other hand, at a maritime patrol base there was no apparent bias.
Possible mechanisms for such an effect could include:
1. g loading
2. high altitude radiation
3. termperature stress in cockpits with inadequate environmentals.
Are there any flight surgeons out there who can comment on an anecdotal experience basis?
I will say that at the jet bases I was posted to, there did seem to be more daughters than sons born to pilots. On the other hand, at a maritime patrol base there was no apparent bias.
Possible mechanisms for such an effect could include:
1. g loading
2. high altitude radiation
3. termperature stress in cockpits with inadequate environmentals.
Are there any flight surgeons out there who can comment on an anecdotal experience basis?
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Posts: 518
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No reference to cite
I don't have any official reference but I have heard that *fighter* pilots have more daughters than sons due to G force.
Maybe there's an Air Force study.
Maybe there's an Air Force study.
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: MAN
Posts: 804
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I thought having daughters was something to do with female xx sperm swimming methodically but more slowly and hence last longer than male sperm.
Maybe us pilots land "short" of the requirements, to deliver the swimmers in the right place?
Maybe us pilots land "short" of the requirements, to deliver the swimmers in the right place?
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Somewhere In The South China Sea
Posts: 960
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My wife gave birth to a daughter 6 weeks ago 
now is this the fact that Im a pilot (PPL atm but about to go for CPL) or the fact that my wife is the middle of 3 girls, and her ma is the middle of 3 girls, and her grandmother is the middle of 3 girls, shall I keep breeding to confirm the pattern? or is it because Im a pilot?
After enduring the last 6 weeks I dont think I want to find out
now is this the fact that Im a pilot (PPL atm but about to go for CPL) or the fact that my wife is the middle of 3 girls, and her ma is the middle of 3 girls, and her grandmother is the middle of 3 girls, shall I keep breeding to confirm the pattern? or is it because Im a pilot?After enduring the last 6 weeks I dont think I want to find out
Medicinal Moderatreuse
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I can do one better, BM - I have 3 sons, all teenagers. The middle one just got into his 4th grand final for the year today...very exciting...upcoming are State Schoolboys football final on Wed, and Club U15 championship in 2 weeks...nothing to do with flying, any of that, of course.
M.
M.