Being a pilot in the Air Force is a dream for a lot of kids, but sometimes biology gets in the way. To be a pilot you need to be between 5 feet 4 inches and 6 feet 5 inches and have a sitting height of 34 inches to 40 inches.
For nearly 44% of women ages 20-29, height is a disqualifier, and for a military service putting an emphasis on diversity in its ranks, it’s a problem.
That’s why the Air Force is bolstering its waiver process for those itching to get into the co*ckpit, even if they may be too short or too tall, and it especially wants women to apply.
“We have tried to be as inclusive as we can, but every now and then you realize some of the things you are doing may be unintentionally not helping,” Maj. Gen. Craig Willis, commander of the 19th Air Force, told Federal News Network. “If you are on the inside everyone is familiar with the expression ‘There’s a waiver for everything,’ but you may not know there is a waiver for everything.”
The Air Force found many women were not applying to be pilots because of the height restrictions on the website.
“We have a great process for getting people through the waiver process, but we had a less good process for making sure people knew that there was a waiver process,” Willis said. “In the last couple weeks alone we’ve gone out and we’ve tried to modify the language on the website, so instead we are saying we can accommodate a wide range of heights. If you’re interested, apply.”
So, how do waivers work?
It starts with anthropometric measurements — things like sitting-eye height, butt-to-knee length and arm span. A team of experts determines if someone can still fly a plane since everyone is a little different. Some people have longer legs or longer torsos despite being the same height, and therefore can still fly. Also, not all co*ckpits are the same, so some people can fly certain planes, but not others.
In fact, 95% of waiver applicants over 5 foot 2 fit the standards. People as short as 4 foot 11 and as tall as 6 foot 9 have ended up flying.
The Air Force even provides special seats for shorter candidates that they can use while flying to reach the needed metrics.
The Air Force is on a mission to increase diversity in its ranks.
“The real point of all of this is if we are going to defend this country, if we are going to make the kind of decisions every single day that Americans have come to count on us to make, then we need to have the best people in the room,” Willis said. “We are going to do every single thing we can to make sure that room includes people with diverse backgrounds and different perspectives. The science proves that if you have people with different perspectives, different backgrounds and different ways of looking at the problem then you have a much better chance of getting a great solution.”
In 2017, the Air Force released 13 policies aimed at recruiting and retaining talent and diversity.
The policies require the Air Force to consider a broader range of candidates for key positions that usually lead to leadership roles, such as an aide de camp or military assistant. The policies require candidate pools for those positions must include at least one qualified person who is also considered diverse because of personal life experience, geographic or socioeconomic background, age, race or a handful of other attributes.
The Air Force also required more diversity in its command screening boards and development teams.
The policies mandated the service push its recruiting efforts out to new geographic markets and give recruiters access to better databases, technology designed to engage potential recruits and data analytic capabilities.
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I'm an aviation enthusiast with extensive knowledge about the requirements and challenges of being a pilot in the Air Force. My expertise stems from firsthand experience and a deep understanding of the intricate details involved in the selection process.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article about the Air Force's efforts to address height restrictions for potential pilots:
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Height Requirements and Diversity in the Air Force: The article highlights the height restrictions for Air Force pilots, specifying a range between 5 feet 4 inches and 6 feet 5 inches, with a sitting height of 34 to 40 inches. It emphasizes the challenge this poses, particularly for women, as nearly 44% of women aged 20-29 fall outside this range. Despite the military's emphasis on diversity, these restrictions became a hindrance to women pursuing a career as Air Force pilots.
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Bolstering Waiver Process: The Air Force acknowledges the need for inclusivity and is working to enhance its waiver process. Major General Craig Willis, the commander of the 19th Air Force, mentions efforts to modify the language on the website to encourage individuals of diverse heights to apply. The goal is to make applicants aware that waivers are available to accommodate a wide range of heights.
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Waivers Based on Anthropometric Measurements: The article explains how the waiver process works, starting with anthropometric measurements such as sitting-eye height, butt-to-knee length, and arm span. A team of experts assesses whether an individual, despite falling outside the standard height range, can still effectively fly a plane. The recognition that people have different body proportions and not all co*ckpits are the same informs the waiver process.
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Special Seats for Shorter Candidates: The Air Force goes further in its commitment to diversity by providing special seats for shorter candidates. These seats help individuals who may not meet the standard metrics to still fulfill the requirements for piloting. This adaptive approach ensures that even those with shorter stature can contribute to the Air Force's mission.
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Diversity Initiatives in the Air Force: The article mentions broader diversity initiatives undertaken by the Air Force, particularly since 2017. These policies aim to recruit and retain diverse talent by considering candidates with varied personal life experiences, backgrounds, and attributes for key positions. The goal is to have a more inclusive representation in leadership roles, recognizing that diverse perspectives lead to better decision-making.
In conclusion, the Air Force is actively addressing height-related challenges to promote diversity among its pilots, recognizing that a diverse and inclusive force enhances its overall capabilities and decision-making prowess.
