Air Force Research Lab engineers from Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, last week visited Beale AFB, Calif., to determine how big or small and short or tall a U-2 pilot can be and still function well in the high-flying reconnaissance aircraft’s cockpit. During the May 21-24 visit, the AFRL officials used specialized equipment to measure 16 Beale airmen of varying sizes and heights in an operational U-2 cockpit in pressure suits. “We are trying to push the limits,” said Gregory Zehner, 711th Human Performance Wing senior physical anthropologist from Wright-Patt, in Beale’s May 23 release. He added, “We have to make sure each airman is safe to fly; it’s not just how tall they are, its proportions.” Zehner said the Air Force will use the data to help create “a much overdue baseline” for U-2 pilot selection. Reversing earlier plans, the Air Force now intends to operate the U-2 fleet for decades to come. (Beale report by SrA. Shawn Nickel)
Air Force Changes Rules for Pregnant Aircrew—Again
April 3, 2025
The Air Force is changing its policy for pregnant aircrew, generally reverting to rules set in 2019 that barred female aviators from flying during the first trimester—or from flying in aircraft with ejection seats at all—due to potential risks to the pilot and her unborn fetus.