Fighter pilots can handle up to 8 or 9 G’s for longer periods by wearing anti-G suits. These specialized outfits use air bladders to keep blood in the upper body. Fighter jets can pull up to 9 g vertically. The more a pilot can take without blacking out, the better their chances in a dogfight. With a full load of internal fuel, the F-16 can withstand up to nine G’s. Unprotected exposure above 9 G’s can cause severe injuries or death. Changes in speed are expressed in multiples of gravitational acceleration, or ‘G’. Most of us can withstand up to 4-6G.
How to Become a Fighter Pilot
To be a fighter pilot you need to meet specific requirements:
- You must begin training between 18 and 33.
- Be 5’ 4” to 6’ 5” tall, seated height between 34 and 40 inches.
- Vision requirements: no worse than 20/70 in both eyes (correctable to 20/20) and no worse than 20/200 for distant vision, also correctable with glasses to 20/20.
To become one, you need to:
- Choose Active Duty or National Guard/Reserve.
- Obtain a Bachelor’s degree.
- Pass flight training.
- Get assigned a fighter.
- Complete specialized training.
Helicopter Pilot Tipping and Aircraft Value
How much do you tip a helicopter pilot at the Grand Canyon? The Robinson R-22 was worth $250,000.