Lady SNA's/SNFO's

[Cortney]

I'm interested in flying for the Navy - and at the moment, I am attending flight school vicariously through my best friend (and ex bf). He's in primary (hopefully) headed to be a NFO. God help us all - he's the WORST with directions. Anyways, the point of this thread...

Like I said, I want to fly. Front seat, back seat - doesn't really matter as long as my feet are off the ground. I am very petite, but I know I am technically big enough (read: tall enough w/ long enough arms) to make it into flight school. My question is, are there any ladies out there who can tell me about their experiences w/ flying and school overall? My friend told me HE has trouble closing the canopy...so he doesn't think I would be able to do it. While I am tiny, I pack a surprisingly large punch...and he's no giant. Any thoughts? Or is he just a certified wimp?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Brett327]

I'm interested in flying for the Navy - and at the moment, I am attending flight school vicariously through my best friend (and ex bf). He's in primary (hopefully) headed to be a NFO. God help us all - he's the WORST with directions. Anyways, the point of this thread...

Like I said, I want to fly. Front seat, back seat - doesn't really matter as long as my feet are off the ground. I am very petite, but I know I am technically big enough (read: tall enough w/ long enough arms) to make it into flight school. My question is, are there any ladies out there who can tell me about their experiences w/ flying and school overall? My friend told me HE has trouble closing the canopy...so he doesn't think I would be able to do it. While I am tiny, I pack a surprisingly large punch...and he's no giant. Any thoughts? Or is he just a certified wimp?

Thanks in advance!

Well, admittedly, I have mixed feelings on this subject (reference my illustrious posting history), but as far as closing the canopy goes, my fleet jet canopy closes pneumatically, so if you can manipulate a simple lever, you're good to go. If you think you want to fly - just do it.

Brett

 

[Herc_Dude]

Dont let him make excuses for you not to do it ... go for it. Best of luck.

 

[bunk22]

Your male friend can barely close what canopy? He's either FOS or a big you know what. If it's what you want to do, just go for it. Petite girls can fly airplanes to. You might just need so help reaching the rudder pedals

 

[Fezz CB]

I remember struggling to close the T-6 canopy in the beginning. It does take a little muscle. I would just use both arms and kinda thrust my body weight down on that beast. Don't let that stop u from applying. I know a few females in both SNA and SNFO training and theyre all doing just fine.

 

[llnick2001]

Yeah the t-6 was a little tough to close, but eventually you figure out something that works for you. If you can pass a prt and college you should be able to find a way to close it.

 

[EvilGN]

your bf must be talking about the T-6, its the only plane i can think of that would require extra force/arm length, to where one would say its hard to close...

but that issue should never persuede you to not try, no matter how short you are, with the seat in the full up position, you can reach the rail

 

[TheBubba]

The T-6 canopy was not hard to close... At least I, nor any on my instructors, had any issues closing it... save the one time the canopy latch handle broke off...

 

[Gatordev]

Bubba, I think you might have a little more mass working for you than a petite young thing. And besides, IPs never have trouble w/ anything.

 

[nittany03]

I wonder if the side-closing canopy is just a pain by nature; the T-45 has a similar setup and I remember it being a PITA on occasion. I'm a small guy anyway, but the problem never turned out to be brute strength; you just had to fiddle with it some.

 

[a_m]

Bubba, I think you might have a little more mass working for you than a petite young thing. And besides, IPs never have trouble w/ anything.

Well, he's not sitting on the canopy...

 

[Cortney]

your bf must be talking about the T-6, its the only plane i can think of that would require extra force/arm length, to where one would say its hard to close...

but that issue should never persuede you to not try, no matter how short you are, with the seat in the full up position, you can reach the rail

Thanks guys! He was talking about the T-6, but I think you're right...he's mostly a wimp. (And I must also correct...an ex.) I'm 5'4, and well, let's just say I'm not big enough to donate blood. However, size is not necessarily the best measure of strength. I could kick his arse on most days (and usually did). That's either from being a gym rat or having grown up w/ 4 brothers and knowing what it takes to beat up on guy

I will most definitely be a pilot some how, some way. I'm actually starting lessons on my own this weekend....I'm so excited.

Another interesting tidbit bout the ex: He said he couldn't picture me as a pilot, in the Navy or as a civilian, and he admitted it was probably due to my size. When I asked him what he did see me as, his response was (literally) "a stay-at-home mom." While that is not offending in any way (my mom rocked at being 'just' a mom), I find it funny how people tend to equate size to potential/ability.

It's all cool though. When I am a pilot, I will be able to go anywhere I want...and him, well, he'll go where the pilot wants to go. :icon_glas
(not hatin on NFO's...just those with no faith, ie: him. haha)

If they start asking you to post pictures, you probably will not find any more useful info in the thread

Ain't that the truth...

 

[Thisguy]

I'm 5'4, and well, let's just say I'm not big enough to donate blood.

For the record, the minimum to donate blood is 110 lbs. Just throwin that out there...

 

[TheBubba]

"Shut up FO!"

The last time I heard that, the pilot ended up t the wrong altitude. Which was then followed by me saying "Told you so, sir"

 

[a_m]

The last time I heard that, the pilot ended up t the wrong altitude. Which was then followed by me saying "Told you so, sir"

Ain't that the truth.