Fighter pilots also require strong muscle tissue along the extremities and abdomen, for performing an anti-G straining maneuver (AGSM, see below) when performing tight turns and other highly accelerated maneuvers. Some fighter aircraft can accelerate to up to 9 G’s. One 'G' is equal to the force of gravity experienced under normal conditions, two 'G's would be twice the force of normal gravity. Excellent heart condition is required, as the increased 'G's' a pilot experiences in a turn can cause stress on the cardiovascular system. As such, in nearly all air forces, fighter pilots, as are pilots of most other aircraft, are commissioned officers.įemale USAF fighter pilots heading to their jets before takeoff (2006)įighter pilots must be in optimal health to handle the physical demands of modern aerial warfare. Candidates are also expected to exhibit strong leadership and teamwork abilities. An individual who possesses an exceptional academic record, physical fitness, healthy well-being, and a strong mental drive will have a higher chance of being selected for pilot training. Selection processes only accept the elite out of all the potential candidates. A fighter pilot with at least five air-to-air kills becomes known as an ace.įighter pilots are one of the most highly regarded and desirable positions of any air force. Fighter pilots undergo specialized training in aerial warfare and dogfighting (close range aerial combat). Ī fighter pilot is a military aviator trained to engage in air-to-air combat, air-to-ground combat and sometimes electronic warfare while in the cockpit of a fighter aircraft. Ilmari Juutilainen, a Finnish WWII fighter pilot with Brewster BW-364 'Orange 4' on 26 June 1942 during the Continuation War.

Jet fighter pilot