Page 45 - World Airnews Magazine January 2021 Edition

WOMEN IN
AVIATION

of women from being able to fly aircraft aviators, on trying to garner funding for an because the T-38,” which is used for fighter

unless they receive a waiver, with women anthropometric study for CEAs. pilot training, “has a 41 percent accommo-

of colour disproportionately affected, the “There were so many communities we dation envelope for women,” she said.

US Air Force stated. had to coordinate with that we realized Roper said he is working with defence
Even after a waiver is granted, the pilot will really quickly that this has to come from contractors to see whether there can be

remain disqualified from certain platforms the top down or we’re not going to be as modifications made to legacy platforms - or

regardless of his or her aptitude. Then, when successful,” Ruttenber said. After meeting upgraded versions like the F-15EX - that

future requirements are defined for new plat- with Roper, the Women’s Initiative group will accommodate operators with a wider
forms or equipment, the systems are usually was granted (US) $4 million for the study. range of body sizes.

designed to meet the existing pool of pilots, Ruttenber, a KC-135 pilot, remembers
But whether those changes are ultimate-

creating a self-perpetuating problem. being pulled out of her first pilot training ly made will depend on if they are techni-

“It is a hidden barrier with multiple class in 2005 because her physical exam- cally feasible and funding is available for

layers,” said Jessica Ruttenber, an Air ination indicated that she didn’t meet the design changes.

Force mobility planner and a leader of the standing height requirement of 5-foot-4
At the time of the interview, Roper had

Women’s Initiative Team that advocated for by a fraction of an inch. She then sought a already spoken to some defence industry

the change in anthropometric standards. waiver that would allow her to fly.

“People are trying to do the right thing, but “The process was different back then. I executives - including those from Lock-

the barriers are baked into legacy policy. had to drive from base to base and get mea- heed Martin - about the new guidance and
And without even knowing it, they’re kind sured in each cockpit in an attempt to get planned similar phone calls with Boeing

of cut and pasting the same standard.” an exception to policy. I went to Charleston and Northrop Grumman officials over the

coming days. The reaction from industry so

Ruttenber said the new guidance addresses and I got measured in a C-17, and then I went

the root of the problem by establishing new to Little Rock and got measured in a C-130,” far has been “very positive” but “very sur-
prised” that such bias still exists, he said.

design specifications - ensuring platforms are she said. “I got measured in the KC-135 and However, Roper acknowledged, more

engineered to accommodate a wide range of so on and so on and so on.”
body sizes from the start of the development Since then, the Air Force has made the work has yet to be done.
process, rather than papering over the prob- process to obtain a waiver less arduous, “Changing the policy is one thing. Chang-

lem with waivers after the fact. and it recently removed the initial height ing the platforms is another. And that’s

“[For] the next inter-theatre airlift that requirement- although some platforms still going to require cost to do. My next job,

is going to replace the C-130 or C-17, we require pilots to meet the 5-foot-4 stan- aside from designing future systems dif-

can’t get the anthropometric data wrong dard. Newer aircraft such as the F-35 joint ferently - which we’ll do - is to find options

or women are still going to be eliminated strike fighter and the T-7 trainer currently to bring systems into greater compliance
with the new policy and then to advocate
30 years from now. The C-130 and C-17 still under development will also accommodate

eliminate one out of three women from a wider height and weight range. tooth and nail for the funding needed to
flying it,” she said. However, Ruttenber pointed out that the do it,” he said.

For more than a year, the Women’s specifications for legacy aircraft will remain “The litmus test for the Air Force long

Initiative Group worked with Chief Master a hurdle for the progression of female pilots. term has got to be balancing accommo-

Sgt. Chris Dawson, the career field manager “Even if the F-35 is 97 percent accom- dation with the technology for future
for the Air National Guard’s career enlisted modating for women, I still can’t get there platf orms.” Q

World Airnews | January 2021
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