Australian Army pilot height limit decrease?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Australian Army pilot height limit decrease?
Anyone know the figures or more about this? Just had my offer rescinded due to my above average height. What about current pilots?
Last edited by Johnny_Chase; 9th Mar 2010 at 23:39.
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Sydney, Oz.
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From the ADF site:
Height Aviation Class 1:
* Height - minimum 163 and maximum 193cm;
* Sitting Height - maximum 100cm;
* Buttock to knee length - maximum 67cm; and
* Buttock to heel length - maximum 122cm.
Height Aviation Class 1:
* Height - minimum 163 and maximum 193cm;
* Sitting Height - maximum 100cm;
* Buttock to knee length - maximum 67cm; and
* Buttock to heel length - maximum 122cm.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks heaps for the cut and paste mate, but....
I received an aviation cadetship offer from RMC-A yesterday, accepted, only to be called today to be told I'm no longer Class 1 medically fit as I'm outside the new height restrictions as set by the Chief of Army.
I'm well inside those height ranges posted, but wondering if any current Army pilots have been affected by the new limits?
I received an aviation cadetship offer from RMC-A yesterday, accepted, only to be called today to be told I'm no longer Class 1 medically fit as I'm outside the new height restrictions as set by the Chief of Army.
I'm well inside those height ranges posted, but wondering if any current Army pilots have been affected by the new limits?
mate, do not give up without a fight. Surely you entered the recruitment process prior to the "goal post" shift, it will be the first of many "goal post" shifts, but it is worth it.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Absolutely it's worth a fight!
I entered the recruitment process over 12 months ago. However, should I pass BFTS and chopper training on the Kiowa, I may be assigned to a desk for the next 10 years of my career because it's deemed I can't complete a conversion on the Tiger or MRH-90. (Not sure which variant , or both, are deemed too tight for my frame). They must make them bigger in the US!
I entered the recruitment process over 12 months ago. However, should I pass BFTS and chopper training on the Kiowa, I may be assigned to a desk for the next 10 years of my career because it's deemed I can't complete a conversion on the Tiger or MRH-90. (Not sure which variant , or both, are deemed too tight for my frame). They must make them bigger in the US!
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Victoria
Age: 62
Posts: 984
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
JC,
1. Just out of interest, what is the new height limit?
2. Were you given a reason for the change?
3. When you were told you no longer had a valid medical due height, did you get this in writing, or were you given a reference?
The Army does fly other types mate. The Blackhawk and Chinook drivers are doing some pretty cool stuff at the moment. Can't see the Tger being involved in the fun for a few years yet.
1. Just out of interest, what is the new height limit?
2. Were you given a reason for the change?
3. When you were told you no longer had a valid medical due height, did you get this in writing, or were you given a reference?
should I pass BFTS and chopper training on the Kiowa, I may be assigned to a desk for the next 10 years of my career because it's deemed I can't complete a conversion on the Tiger or MRH-90.
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Out There
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Tiger and MRH are not the problem.
If you investigate this a bit I'm quite sure that you will find that Kiowa is the problem. So unless you wish to sit in a holding platoon until the new training helicopter comes online you may need to think things over. They used to be sent to Navy, but I believe that is no longer an option due to FAA having their own considerable problems
I believe there are a couple of guys in your situation that have complete BFTS but cannot go any further due to their above average height, something to do with flying with your head at an angle (due to it hitting the roof of the cab) is not the best thing when flying on goggles.
Have you thought of a career in the NBA?
Cheers
S64
If you investigate this a bit I'm quite sure that you will find that Kiowa is the problem. So unless you wish to sit in a holding platoon until the new training helicopter comes online you may need to think things over. They used to be sent to Navy, but I believe that is no longer an option due to FAA having their own considerable problems
I believe there are a couple of guys in your situation that have complete BFTS but cannot go any further due to their above average height, something to do with flying with your head at an angle (due to it hitting the roof of the cab) is not the best thing when flying on goggles.
Have you thought of a career in the NBA?
Cheers
S64
Even if you do get through the shifted goals you may be waiting for some time to get on a course. I spoke to my old Troop Commander last week in Brisbane and he descibed AAvn TC as a "basket case".
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
JC - Wait out. I assume that you plan to march into the puzzle palace (RMC) for the July intake? A lot can happen between now and getting to Oakey especially with the paperwork for a cadetship as well as the time spent at Funtroon then BFTS.
Anyone know if the driver for this being the "Super" / refitted Kenny(s) having different height restriction? Or is it back to the old neck tilt/headache OHS chestnut.
Anyone know if the driver for this being the "Super" / refitted Kenny(s) having different height restriction? Or is it back to the old neck tilt/headache OHS chestnut.
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Out There
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kenny Mach II
From what I have seen there is no change to head room, just avionics.
Maybe wait for the EC 135 (or whatever is chosen) to come online, you'll probably have that much of a wait anyway given the current state of affairs
S64
Maybe wait for the EC 135 (or whatever is chosen) to come online, you'll probably have that much of a wait anyway given the current state of affairs
S64
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
EC 135
Wasn't it that EC 135s were ruled out due to instructors not having Cert IV quals.... Down the track however....
Last edited by reacher; 6th Mar 2010 at 05:35.
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Australia
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Recruiting in Brisbane just rang me about this issue. I was scheduled to go to Tamworth next week for selection board, only to have them ring today and say that the army had reduced the sitting height standard for the Kiowa from 100cm to 92cm, which puts me at 97.5 cm out of the running. They said I'm still able to go to my board interview, but i can only be considered for RAAF or Navy. Very unhappy about this, the army is what I really wanted, and it leaves me with only a week to prepare for air force and navy selection. Don't get me wrong, I still want to join the military as a pilot and RAAF or Navy would be great, but I was pretty keen on the green.
Does anyone know if there is any way around this?
Does anyone know if there is any way around this?
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Tamworth
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are no exceptions for us, I'm 96 and everyone on my FSP course is over the new limit. Two of us had already got Army offers then had them canceled. I feel your pain mate, Army helicopters is what I truly wanted and to have this happen right after I get recommended is almost too much dude. One guy on my FSP who got his offer and then canceled is 1cm over the limit. The only guys getting considerations I've heard, are those already at Oakey and are between the 92-95cm range who will be individually tested in the Kiowa for "fitting" . And to rub salt in the wounds, for the last 3 days I've seen Army Kiowa's formation flying around my town. Ouch
Last edited by cj0203; 25th Mar 2010 at 09:28.
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Australia
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Does anyone else think that this will lead to a serious shortage of trainees for the army unless they can do something about this pretty soon? 92cm sitting height seems really low to me
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks BB, but check the date this thread was started. Unfortunately for me (fortunately for a shorter candidate who was previously uncompetitive) I was notified of the sitting height limit decrease no more than 24 hours after receiving my letter of offer.
Still waiting on an offer from another service hopefully.
In the meantime, just dreaming of being in the air.....
Still waiting on an offer from another service hopefully.
In the meantime, just dreaming of being in the air.....
Last edited by Johnny_Chase; 27th Mar 2010 at 07:16.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As a layman looking in, maybe the solution is simple.
We had a good pilot sent to us to fly the C130.
Was a short guy and could not reach the rudder pedals, a quick trip to the safety equipmeny guys and a thinner seat cushion was produced.
Geoff used to come out to fly and we would change the cushion and the problem was gone. An excellent pilot who eventually went to Qantas.
I do not know if it would work in your situation, but sometimes we bring up complicated solutions when simpler is best.
Seems to me that a lot of good talent is going by the board and these helicopters will be disposed of one day.
Regards
Col
We had a good pilot sent to us to fly the C130.
Was a short guy and could not reach the rudder pedals, a quick trip to the safety equipmeny guys and a thinner seat cushion was produced.
Geoff used to come out to fly and we would change the cushion and the problem was gone. An excellent pilot who eventually went to Qantas.
I do not know if it would work in your situation, but sometimes we bring up complicated solutions when simpler is best.
Seems to me that a lot of good talent is going by the board and these helicopters will be disposed of one day.
Regards
Col