The men and women who put their lives on the line preparing for air battles are a rare breed of human being. Not only do fighter jet pilots have to be supreme specimens meeting very specific physical requirements, but they also need to be extremely bright and dare-devilishly cocksure.
And while it may seem that these sky cowboys and girls are reckless by trade - thank you, Tom Cruise - well-studied pilots have to be religiously disciplined and dedicated to following strict rules and guidelines. When a bunch of warplanes are zipping around the same air space at speeds reaching Mach 1 and beyond, certain policies and procedures must be recognized by all involved to avoid collisions.
The exclusive fighter jet pilot club is filled with brave men and women who serve their country with pride and precision. Here is a behind-the-scenes look at some of their learned behaviors and survival systems that help lead to successful missions.
15 No Country For Old Men
Piloting a fighter jet is a young person's game, at least at the beginning. By age 33, you need to have been passed by a selection board or you should start thinking about another line of work. And before that ominous-sounding board gives you the sign-off, you need to meet a host of other eligibility requirements, including scoring a minimum on the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test exam.
14 A Fighter Jet Is Nothing To Sneeze At
Here's a peculiar rule for potential fighter pilots: you can't have had asthma after the age of 12. Allergies are also on that list, as is hay fever. They are dead set against having sneezing, hacking, and wheezing in the cockpit. Makes sense when you consider the amount of G-forces these sky soldiers have to withstand.
13 They Take Their Job Seriously
In the United States Air Force, potential fighter jet pilots must commit to ten years of service to the program. That's three years longer than most American marriages last, according to research. What happens after the ten-year period is up? The option for more commitment.
12 The Eyes Have It
It goes without saying that pilots of any type be able to see really well. But only those with the best vision can be fighter pilots. The USAF requires 20/30 vision without the aid of corrective lenses. There are also specifics when it comes to astigmatism and refraction. Thinking that maybe LASIK surgery will get you in the door? Think again, it is a dis-qualifier.
11 Give It The Old College Try
Being able to take in and understand complex information is very important. That's why the Air Force wants you to have proven yourself worthy by earning a BS or BA before you can fly the not-so-friendly skies. And it doesn't matter what your major is, as long as you maintain a GPA average of at least 2.5.
10 Intense Focus Is Important
It may seem simple, but pilots are taught early on that they need to do one thing and one thing only: fly the plane. Their mind must be focused on that very specific task, especially when using only instruments to navigate, or in emergency situations. Flying multi-million dollar machines at unimaginable speeds takes every bit of concentration you can muster.
9 Title
Carey Lohrenz - who earned her legendary status as a pioneering female pilot of the F-14 jet - shared one important rule that a pilot must follow. She told Inc., "80 percent was good enough." Meaning that your body is under such intense physical and mental pressure that your decision-making threshold has to be re-calibrated. Meaning, if you're 80 percent sure that a decision you will make is the right one, do it right away!
8 I'd Like To Have A Word With You
Communication between pilots is essential, especially when they are flying together in tight formation on a mission. Before the official briefing, all participants should talk things over with the flight lead to see what he or she has in mind. Likely topics include what weapons you'll be carrying and securing up-to-date weather information.
7 The More You Know
The general rule of thumb up there is that it's one at a time, please. That means a ratio of one friendly to one opponent. No ganging up on your enemy, it can lead to disaster. Pilot lore is filled with famous tales of the best-winged assassins losing their lives in horrific crashes because they thought more was better.
6 Sun Of A Gun
Here's a big one: the sun should always be behind you. Besides providing a great point of reference on which to base your moves on, if the large fireball is in front of you, it gives your opponent an advantage when tracking you. Plus, flying directly into the sun at high altitude doesn't seem like a lot of fun for your eyes.
5 The Sky's The Limit To What You Can Do
Hollywood does this get this part right - fighter jet pilots have to be somewhat arrogant to be a success. Part of maintaining confidence in the sky is the belief that you are well-prepared for what you are about to do. You know that plane inside and out. You studied the flight plan. You know you've got this.
4 First Thing On The Checklist Is The Checklist
A big component to having positive outcomes in the air is a checklist. You may think that these people are well-trained and have years of flight experience, do they still need a checklist? Absolutely. A solid routine includes a checklist. That one time you forget something it could mean your life.
3 I Cannot Stress This Enough
Combat missions can be overwhelmingly stressful. That's why pilots learn early on to manage stress. If the stress isn't addressed and handled quickly, decision-making skills suffer along with physical abilities. Good breathing techniques can help focus the mind and body on the task at hand.
2 Just Follow The Leader
When in the air with others, it is most important to do exactly what the flight leader says. After all, he is the commanding officer in charge of the mission and likely a more experienced pilot. Deciding to do your own thing just to remind everyone how much of a show-off you are is how bad things happen.
1 Keep It Tuned To Quiet Storm
According to one experienced pilot, radio communications should take the broadcast tone of a "soulful DJ." When talking to one another, pilots should keep it cool, calm, and collected, no matter the circumstance. This keeps the radio from being a source of drama and stress so that everyone can maintain concentration.
Sources: USAF, Vox, Inc., Federation of American Science, Air & Space