http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/6640521.stm
QUOTE
Adam Roberts joined the Air Training Corps two years ago
A teenage pilot has revealed his frustration after being told he cannot fly jets for the RAF because he is too tall. Adam Roberts, 17, from St Mellons, Cardiff has been told that, at 6ft 4ins, he risks damaging his legs if he ever had to eject. The cadet is now hoping to join the air branch of the Royal Navy, possibly flying helicopters instead. An RAF spokesman said Adam had been "pretty disappointed".
Adam, who is a member of 1344 Cardiff ATC Squadron based at Cardiff's Maindy Barracks, explained that the size of the RAF jets' cockpits was very small. "If you ever needed to eject from an aircraft of that size, there is a chance that you could damage your legs on the way up, catch your kneecaps or something like that, so that's why there is a limit on your size," he said. Adam was pretty disappointed but everyone knows when you go up to air crew selection, there is a height restriction
He said he had found out about the problem after a full medical at Royal Air Force College at Cranwell. "They said I could still join the RAF, but air crew was limited for me as they'll take everyone as a potential fighter pilot and then stream you to other trades if you can't make the grade. "It's everyone's dream who's in aviation to want to be a fighter pilot." He said that he had been in touch with the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy. "They have said that hopefully my height shouldn't be an issue because of the helicopters, so that looks like a light at the end of the tunnel."
Adam, who is currently training to be a gliding instructor at St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan and recently completed a flying scholarship in Dundee, was promoted to cadet flight sergeant last week. Flt Lt Paul Davies of the No 1 Welsh Wing said Adam was "a switched-on young lad". "Adam was pretty disappointed but everyone knows when you go up to air crew selection, there is a height restriction," he said. "He is a real high flier and I think he will make a success of it in the Navy if that is what he goes for. "He knows what direction he is going in and he needs a couple of years where he will go off to university, get a degree and take it from there."
A teenage pilot has revealed his frustration after being told he cannot fly jets for the RAF because he is too tall. Adam Roberts, 17, from St Mellons, Cardiff has been told that, at 6ft 4ins, he risks damaging his legs if he ever had to eject. The cadet is now hoping to join the air branch of the Royal Navy, possibly flying helicopters instead. An RAF spokesman said Adam had been "pretty disappointed".
Adam, who is a member of 1344 Cardiff ATC Squadron based at Cardiff's Maindy Barracks, explained that the size of the RAF jets' cockpits was very small. "If you ever needed to eject from an aircraft of that size, there is a chance that you could damage your legs on the way up, catch your kneecaps or something like that, so that's why there is a limit on your size," he said. Adam was pretty disappointed but everyone knows when you go up to air crew selection, there is a height restriction
He said he had found out about the problem after a full medical at Royal Air Force College at Cranwell. "They said I could still join the RAF, but air crew was limited for me as they'll take everyone as a potential fighter pilot and then stream you to other trades if you can't make the grade. "It's everyone's dream who's in aviation to want to be a fighter pilot." He said that he had been in touch with the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy. "They have said that hopefully my height shouldn't be an issue because of the helicopters, so that looks like a light at the end of the tunnel."
Adam, who is currently training to be a gliding instructor at St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan and recently completed a flying scholarship in Dundee, was promoted to cadet flight sergeant last week. Flt Lt Paul Davies of the No 1 Welsh Wing said Adam was "a switched-on young lad". "Adam was pretty disappointed but everyone knows when you go up to air crew selection, there is a height restriction," he said. "He is a real high flier and I think he will make a success of it in the Navy if that is what he goes for. "He knows what direction he is going in and he needs a couple of years where he will go off to university, get a degree and take it from there."
A real shame for that man. Although all is not lost if he can fly helicopters instead of jets, not the same thing for him but I guess he has to compromise.
Is there any great medical limit in GA/Airliner for a licence, or is it purely on aircraft type?