How much of being a fighter pilot do you believe is genetic?
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How much of being a fighter pilot do you believe is genetic?
This is a honest question, there are various genetic qualities you need:
What are your thoughts on the matter?
- Super-tasker - only 2.5% of world population are these (They are true multi taskers, not micro managers like most are). This can be improved on to an extent however, a super tasker's brain is wired differently and one cannot train to be a super tasker (naturals), at least not yet. Although there was a F-16 pilot who claimed he struggled with multitasking and had to work harder than most of this other colleagues.
- Psychomotor - this can be improved to an extent
- Your body structure - short and stubby, not a long neck will sustain high G's (Yes not all fighter pilots are short and stuby, I've met a F-35 test pilot who was quite tall and slim and yes you can make yourself bulk but a short heart to brain distance is advantageous)
- Spatial reasoning - slightly genetic, can be improved with training
What are your thoughts on the matter?
Last edited by quantify; 11th Feb 2019 at 22:12.
I suspect the thread starter is a wind-up merchant; if the question is serious then a good starting point would be to see how many fighter pilots are eldest of several children. If position in a family is poorly correlated, then it would imply that genetics are not dominant. (and, Jindabyne, from some of the things I have seen fighter pilots do, I'm not sure intelligent is the correct word)
I think I was a fighter pilot in a previous life. Once, when my instructor cut the power on downwind for 32 and told me to put it down, I cross-controlled, side-slipped, and put it down on 08 just by instinct, not what I had been taught!
Boy did he/we get a telling off on the RT from the CFI who saw it!
And I have always favoured the big watches, I am short and stubby, and have an ego to match the watch
Boy did he/we get a telling off on the RT from the CFI who saw it!
And I have always favoured the big watches, I am short and stubby, and have an ego to match the watch
Last edited by ve3id; 7th Feb 2019 at 10:51. Reason: To please MPN11
A short and stubby ego? That's a new one on me! 
I'll tiptoe in gently and say that the same might apply to ATCOs. You can teach all the basics, SOPs, Rules etc, but it still requires what I would call brain that works happily in 4-dimensions to be able to implement all that. And other factors too. So, yes, I accept the premise of a degree of genetics.
I'll tiptoe in gently and say that the same might apply to ATCOs. You can teach all the basics, SOPs, Rules etc, but it still requires what I would call brain that works happily in 4-dimensions to be able to implement all that. And other factors too. So, yes, I accept the premise of a degree of genetics.
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Originally Posted by jindabyne
Quantify,
You missed out: intelligent, handsome, witty and alcohol tolerant.
You missed out: intelligent, handsome, witty and alcohol tolerant.
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My ex-fighter pilot son is first born, 6'4" and reckoned he was the 'G King' when he was on Jaguars ( 1990-99 ) - big ego and I believe well-hung - I stopped checking when he overtook me at about 12 months old!
Don't know about genetics - when I had a go at a PPL just before taking my 8yr option I was absolutely useless. Perhaps my dearly beloved passed on the FP genes?
He's certainly " God's gift to women " - or so he keeps telling us!
Don't know about genetics - when I had a go at a PPL just before taking my 8yr option I was absolutely useless. Perhaps my dearly beloved passed on the FP genes?
He's certainly " God's gift to women " - or so he keeps telling us!
Last edited by Brian 48nav; 7th Feb 2019 at 19:55. Reason: Wrong by 10 years!
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Originally Posted by quantify
This is a honest question, there are various genetic qualities you need:
What are your thoughts on the matter?
- Super-tasker - only 2.5% of world population are these (They are true multi taskers, not micro managers like most are). This can be improved on to an extent however, a super tasker's brain is wired differently and one cannot train to be a super tasker (naturals), at least not yet. Although there was an F-16 pilot who claimed he struggled with multitasking and had to work harder than most of this other colleagues.
- Psychomotor - this can be improved to an extent
- Your body structure - short and stubby, not a long neck will sustain high G's (Yes not all fighter pilots are short and stuby, I've met a F-35 test pilot who was quite tall and slim and yes you can make yourself bulk but a short heart to brain distance is advantageous)
- Spatial reasoning - slightly genetic, can be improved with training
What are your thoughts on the matter?
The following link is to a thesis by norwegian testpilot "Timber" He was the first norwegian F-35 pilot and F-35 squadron commander. He made a thesis about the shift of skills required in the F-35 cockpit compared to 4th generation jets. Unfortunately most of the text is in norwegian, but the summery is in english. Maybe you can translate the text with google. To sum it up, future F-35 pilots will need better skills in areas like processing wast amount of information and skills like psychomotoric will not be as important as in existing platforms, as the plane is much easier to fly then earlier generations.
https://brage.bibsys.no/xmlui/bitstream/handle/11250/2436208/MA_Harlem_2016.pdf?sequence=5&isAllowed=y
Even though it is in norwegian, you might be able to get some useful information by looking at his bibliography. I hope it points you in the right direction.
I hope it will answer some of your questions.
Last but not least, and will all the replies you have got until now from people who didn't tell you they are fighterpilots, this joke comes to mind:
Never ask a man if he is a fighter pilot. If he is, he'll let you know. If he isn't, don't embarrass him.....
Last edited by F-16GUY; 7th Feb 2019 at 15:58.
