Viper HUD question

[riceowl63]

I got to sit in a Viper cockpit this summer, and other than it being a little snug I only had one complaint. Actually, it was so awesome to be up there it isn't really a complaint, just a possible hinderence for future flying opportunities. I couldn't see much of the HUD (the angle was small, I couldn't see much surface area). I'm a tall guy (my sitting height is right at 40") so I can't say this was unexpected. Is the HUD adjustable for different people? Is it adjustable on any USAF aircraft? I know the max sitting height for an USAF pilot is 40", but are there also different requirements for different aircraft (for instance, is there a specific height requirement on the Viper)? Thanks in advance!

P.S.-Even if you are over 40" sitting is it possible to get a height waiver? I mean, like a quarter of an inch? I'm right on the 40" mark so I was wondering if I measured a little high if it would be possible to get it waived.

 

[viperdriver]

How tall are you? I have no idea what my sitting height is but I am 6-1, and with the seat full down I see the HUD just right. Tall guys have to scrunch down a little. I know F-16 guys 6-6 or so who don't mind. Human Factors in the F-16 is awesome, like flying around in your lazy boy and two remote controls. Gets tight when they put all of that equipment on like Life Preserver, survival vest.

I can't imagine busting the sitting height requirement by a quarter inch--if you get my drift. I might develop a sudden case of scoleosis or poor posture.

viperdriver
At nine G's you will be a lot shorter and will see the HUD just fine.

 

[viperdriver]

Sorry, to answer your other question, the seat is adjustable, not the HUD. Guess if you are to tall, you could try the worlds second greatest fighter, the F-15.

Viperdriver
Cant wait to see the replies to this one!

 

[AlbieF15]

I met a bro by the name of "Ox" who was a FAIP and then a Viper Driver at Misawa...biggest MF I've seen in ANY cockpit.

If you want to fly the Viper...you'll fit. I've seen dudes who would fill the cadilac size Eagle cockpit in Vipers, and none of them complained too much. Just remember to safe the ejection seat before wrestling with the piddle pack.

FYI...the most miserable, uncomfortable seat in the business in the flight engineer seat. Its sideways against the normal G accel and deceleration forces, and its way too close to the coffee pot and too far from the stick. If you can wedge yourself into a Hornet, Hog, Viper, Eagle, or Cat...well...enjoy the ride!

 

[Toro]

If you got to sit in the seat, I'm guessing there was no power to the jet and the seat was full raised. Most guys run the seat down at least a little - that's what you adjust, not the HUD.

Patmack - didn't waste any time on the new avatar, did you? Excellent choice.

 

[riceowl63]

I'm 6'2" and after hearing how big some of the other Viper drivers have been I guess I'm not too worried. Thanks for all the good responses. The power was not on in the jet so I guess moving the seat down wasn't an option. I was just so pumped to be up there I kinda didn't realize my HUD view wasn't great until I got back on the ground. One more quick question: how heavy are some of the mil pilots out there? I'm a center for the football team at Rice so I tip the scales at about 275. I've had to put 50 of that on in the last two and a half years, so I'm confident I could get it back off. I remember Chad Hennings from the AFA flew A-10s before he went pro for the Cowboys and I'd guess he didn't slim up to 180. Is there a max 'ideal' weight (other than passing the fit tests and body fat %, but I think I can do those now)?

 

[bssthound]

RiceOwl63 asks I'm 6'2" . . . Is there a max 'ideal' weight (other than passing the fit tests and body fat %

I'm my squadron's weight monitor (a Reservist will do anything for man-days).

Your max weight for 6'2" is about 222 lbs. As a college football player your current weight should be understood and there shouldn't be any problem.

The max bodyfat percentage is 20% up 'til age 29, where it is 24%. It is determined by measuring the person's neck and his waist and then using the difference to determine the bf % for that person's height. Yeah, it ain't exactly space age but it's what we have to work with.

Compared to you, I'm rather dainty at 6' and 225 lbs. I have no trouble passing the bf %. At your age and with the exercise habits I'm sure you've developed you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

 

[GumbyDarnit]

Riceowl,

Here are some guidelines for the journey:

T-37 132-201 lbs
T-38 140-211 lbs
T-6 136-245 lbs
F-16 140-235 lbs

Bassethounds inputs about bodyfat have nothing to do with seat restrictions. Here is an excerpt from the Viper Tech Order.

For body weights greater than 211
pounds, limb flailing, seat structural
failure, and parachute landings are
concerns. The risk of injury from limb
flailing is high for ejection above 400
knots. The seat leg braces frequently
deform during ejections above 500
knots; this deformation has led to
seat side panel failures (and unsuc-
cessful ejections) during 600 knot
ejection tests. The risk of injury
during parachute landing is three
times the average. These injury risks
also increase as body weight in-
creases above 211 pounds.

I went to a Viper transition course with Rory Blackburn who played on the Offensive line at Nebraska when they were still good. 6'8'' 280. I have no idea how he fit, but they let him. I imagine if he had needed to punch he would have left his knees in the jet. I've been told he is not allowed to fly anymore, because the service has given more consideration to things like the paragraph above. I myself am 6'4" with a long torso, I must put the seat all the way down and am still a little above the design eye for the HUD. This means I have to lean forward when employing air-to-ground weapons. Nevertheless, I had no problem killing some of Slobodan's Slugs in Kosovo.

What this all means is you must sign a personal waiver for any AC you fly aknowledging the risks. There is a point that the service won't waive you for. I don't know what that is but I think you are above it now. So as soon as the season is over, get off the juice and cut some weight so you can clear the vertical stab on the tweet, otherwise you are going to be terra-firma bound and you know that's going to suck. Good Luck

Gumby

 

[JHook]

"If you got to sit in the seat, I'm guessing there was no power to the jet and the seat was full raised"

Toro,

Raising the seat full up isn't normal for a Viper shutdown like it is in the Eagle. It goes a lot higher than cranium v. canopy would allow. The only time it is fully raised is when it is code 3 for cockpit FO.

 

[Toro]

Raising the seat full up isn't normal for a Viper shutdown like it is in the Eagle.

Copy. I've only sat in a viper once. In the F-15 (like the T-38), if the dude before you leaves the seat full down when he gets out, you feel like a midget when you first sit down.