• Air Force pilots must meet demanding physical, mental and education requirements.jet image by Tom Oliveira from Fotolia.com
  
  The U.S. Air Force trains pilots to fly the most high-performance aircraft ever built. When turning at supersonic (faster than sound) speeds, "G" forces (multiples of normal Earth gravity) can reach six, seven or even nine times. This means a 180-pound pilot would feel pressure as if he weighed 1,620 pounds. Enduring such conditions requires excellent physical and mental conditioning. The Air Force has stringent and demanding requirements to begin flight training and then to maintain flight status for all its pilots.
  
  

Physical

• Pilots must be physically fit and meet specific criteria. For both male and female pilots, the Air Force uses Body Mass Index (BMI) for determining that a pilot's height and weight are proportional. Pilots starting flight training must have excellent eyesight and hearing. Although not necessarily a specific requirement, pilots are sometimes restricted to certain types of aircraft, resulting from height. A very tall pilot (over 6 foot, four inches) may not be able to fit in small fighter jet cockpits. These pilots may be only qualified to fly larger transport, auxiliary or strategic (bomber) planes.
  
  Air Force pilots must also have required blood pressure, heart rate and pulmonary (breathing) functions. Not only will the stress of high speed flight prey on a pilot but the stress involved flying combat and support aircraft can affect the pilot's ability to function as ordered.
  
  Although not an immediate disqualification from flight training or flight status, pregnant female Air Force pilots may have their flight status suspended during and for a brief time after the child's birth. This protects both the mother and child from the stresses and adversities associated with combat and auxiliary support missions.
  
  

Mental

• Pilots cannot have serious or chronic mental impairments even if they are fully functional with medication. Air Force pilots are trained to endure and overcome stress and also to perform as necessary under the harshest of flying conditions. Pilots are regularly examined and tested for any changes in mental acuity, awareness and reaction times. Variations are calculated and assessed based on the pilot's age, experience and number of flight hours (how much time spent flying planes during a career.)
  
  

Education

• Air Force pilots are commissioned officers and, as such, are college graduates. Although the Air Force prefers pilots with applicable degrees (aeronautical, electrical engineering, computer science, etc.), any commissioned officer may apply and may be accepted for flight training. Pilots are expected to continue their education during their Air Force careers. Continuing education performance can affect the pilot's advancement in rank and also subsequent readiness evaluations for flight status.