How tall must you be to become a pilot?

[denhamjosh18]

Jake. Ummmm.... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO


everybody knows its about 2370

[metradon]

5ft tall pilot

Do you know anyone being just 5ft. tall and flying commercial planes for a living and which airlines, regional or major airline? I really want to be a commercial pilot. I'm so obsessed with planes all my life, but I'm just 5 ft. tall. this is my height at night. I've tried so many growth enhancer, nothing worked. Still I thank GOD giving this much to run after my dreams. thank you.

[dlx_xlb]

Some airlines may have a height requirement.. But some airlines such as Qantas don't..

I'm about 5'6 not the tallest pilot out there..

As long as you can reach all the controls and operate them to their full extent and also be able to sit at the correct eye height at the same time.. it shouldn't be a problem..

As people have said before when flying GA planes with limited height adjustment you may need a cushion..

Some planes, you can adjust the seat... Forward/Aft... Height and also the location of the pedals..

[Whirlybird]

The lady who posts occasionally on here as Whirlybird, worked for quite a few years (she may still do, we don't talk as much as we did but I *think* she just does aviation journalism now) as a helicopter instructor. Whirly is 4ft 11in. She is something of an expert on the subject of booster cushions, but it has never stopped her flying.

Hello, Genghis, my old friend, good to see you here. You're right that I'm working almost exclusively now as an aviation writer (I prefer that term to aviation journalist, if you don't mind, and books and websites don't count as journalism), but how did you get the idea I'm only 4ft 11ins? I'm speaking from way up in the stratosphere at a lofty 5ft 2ins.

However, as you pointed out, I do have a large collection of booster cushions. As a helicopter instructor, my best one was specially made for the R22, and the factory wouldn't have made them if it was uneconomic, ie a lot of pilots must need them. Ditto for dynofoam cushions, one of which I still have, I think. An American company also makes a nice collection of cushions with and without backs too, and in different thicknessess.

The point I'm making is, a lot of us are of normal height, ie not overgrown giants. I've never worked for the airlines, but I've never heard of them having a height requirment; why would they? Oh, and I knew a North Sea helicopter pilot who really was 4ft 11ins - she lent me an immersion suit made for her when I went up there, and it was too short!

So SPF50, please stop worrying.

[Genghis the Engineer]

Probably just a tendency to think that anybody actually shorter than me must be very short indeed. Sorry about that Whirly.

Interesting distinction, writer versus journalist. I recall one person I met during the volcanic extravaganza who was very adamant that she was a "journalist" not like all the others around her who were (she said rather dismissively) only reporters. Yes, I agree that what you do nowadays is mostly writing - and jolly good writing it is too. Some of it in regular journals (Isn't the English language great.)

G

[enicalyth]

percy prune in his own words

".... flew back so low he had to stand up to see over the wave tops".