Anthro limit rumor

[Barry Murphy]

Hello Everybody,
I have a question concerning anthropometric limits for the RAF. Contrary to what I’ve read on this forum, I’ve heard a rumor that the RAF has or will have a “string” system for tall pilots. Meaning if a candidate is deemed too large for the smallest jet, he may still have an opportunity in multi’s. Here in Canada, the CF uses a”one fit all measurement”, but is that true for the RAF. It sounds like this rumor may be too good to be true.

Thanks

[Impiger]

Not sure about the current situation but the rule used to be evryone had to be able to go fast jet which meant you had to fit the Hawk. Given we get enough recruits who do fit - it seems very unlikely that we would move to a position wher on entry you could only be ME or RW.

Sorry to be downbeat - hope I'm wrong but ..........

[raytofclimb]

A mate of mine was too tall for FJ but he was allowed to go only RW or ME and now flies the twin rotor species of the spinning death machine type. At that point he had finished EFT on the Bulldog and was about to go to Cranwell after Uni graduation.

Point being- it depends on how far in you are when you hit the limit, much like eyesight vs specs.

Best of luck.

Ray

p.s I'm a shade under 6'2" (186cm for the old folks), plenty room in the Fin but the Hawk was tight in a goon bag.

[Reichman]

Don't get confused by "height" limit. There's no real problem until you start getting above 6'5". The limit for ejection seats is the thigh length measured by sitting upright in a straight backed chair and taking the measurement from the chair back to the knee cap. I think the limit is somewhere around 25". But don't quote me on it.

I'm 6'2" and I fly with a bang seat. I knew people who flew the Jet Provost who were around 6'5". When I joined I had no limits put on me as to what type of aircraft I could fly, inluding the Lightning which was probably the most limiting at the time.

Reichman

PS I never flew Lightnings!

[RobinXe]

I happen to know that the limit of the buttock to knee length is 660mm.

I know this because when I was measured the computer spat out a red "660.1" thats right, .1mm!! Thankfully the medical chappie noticed that the plate was about 2cm off the end of my knee and so was ok in the end.

Incidentally, I am over 6'2 and the only aircraft restriction anyone ever mentioned to me was the Puma of all things, and this info was later rescinded.

[Antelope]

Having gone through IOT fairly recently and still having a number of friends undergoing selection from what I gather the anthro limits are usually enforced at first selection. However I know a number of people who passed their UAS med did 2 years of flying and when they went to OASC for a final year bursary it was found they had grown and were too tall for Harriers - they were still accepted, probably because of the money invested, with the provision they wouldn't fly Harrier. Don't know if this is an official rule though.

[APO Dried Plum]

From someone who went through OASC fairly recently. The rules at the time (for aptitude and height) was that you had to have the potential for fast jet. The Navy on the other hand hand took taller people because of their predominantly rotary requirement. Interestingly colleagues if mine rejected by the RAF for being 'too tall for jets' joined the Navy and were subsequently streamed FJ and went onto the Hawk...