ACN 043/19 - MAY 2019 ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS AND WAIVER PROCEDURES FOR AVIATION CANDIDATES

ALCOAST COMMANDANT NOTICE                                      CANCEL DATE  08 MAY 2020

R 090803 MAY 19
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-11//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N06410//
ACN 043/19
SUBJ:  ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS AND WAIVER PROCEDURES FOR AVIATION CANDIDATES
A. Coast Guard Aviation Medicine Manual, COMDTINST M6410.3 (series)
B. Coast Guard Aeromedical Electronic Resource Office (AERO) Guide V2.0
C. Coast Guard AERO Technical Bulletins (revised 1 Jan 2010)
D. NAVAIR Manual, 3710.1 (series)
1. This ACN establishes updated policy regarding anthropometric measurements required
of all aviation candidates.
2. This ACN also establishes policy concerning waivers of anthropometrics and single
pipeline training.
3. Current Coast Guard anthropometrics were modified in 2013; a shift that
unintentionally moved away from US Navy anthropometric measurements, in particular,
the measurements required to meet standards for US Navy training aircraft. The results
of this shift included an increased number of requests for cockpit checks for Coast
Guard aircraft for larger applicants. It also resulted in a small number of applicants
each year who received orders to aviation training being returned to the Coast Guard
because the applicant did not meet Navy anthropometrics for the training aircraft.
Chief of Naval Air Training (CNTRA) does not waive anthropometric standards for
training aircraft. They do not do functional cockpit checks.
4. Anthropometrics are determined by a measuring process at Naval Air Systems Command
(NAVAIR) in Patuxent River, MD. Over time, these measurements have evolved to become
very specific as the process has become computerized and increasingly sensitive. Height
and weight, previously used as screening tools, are no longer required given the precision
of the measurements. The only weight requirement remaining is for the T-6, based on the
ejection seat. Historically, NAVAIR has completed anthropometrics on 2 Coast Guard
aircraft: the HU-25 and the MH-65. All other Coast Guard aircraft have DOD equivalents
with the exception of the HC-144 and HC-27.
5. Historically, the Coast Guard has avoided pipeline training in order to allow more
flexibility regarding the ability to train aviators in different aircraft as dictated by
the needs of the service. Waivers for single aircraft have been rare. Applicants who
did not meet anthropometric standards were required to undergo cockpit safety checks in
each aircraft and if the applicant was unable to reach all required instruments in Zone 1
while fully restrained in any aircraft, the member was disqualified for aviation training.
6. A new, single set of anthropometrics has been established based on the most restrictive
measurements of all Coast Guard aircraft and the US Navy training aircraft. Given the
accuracy of anthropometric measurements, there are no mandatory height measurements.
There are weight requirements for training due to ejection seat requirements in the T-6;
the minimum weight is 103 lbs. and the current maximum weight is 231 lbs. Total arm reach
and crotch height are no longer required.
USCG ANTHROPOMETRICS TABLE 1
Buttock-Knee Length    Sitting Height                  Sitting Eye Height         Thumb Tip Reach
(inches)                      (inches)                          (inches)                        (inches)
21.0-26.9                    33.0-39.4                        28.5 or Greater             28.5 or Greater
7. A waiver process has been developed in the event that an individual does not meet
all the anthropometric requirements. A flow chart will be included in future Aeromedical
Policy Letters which can be accessed at:
https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Human-Resources-CG-1/
Health-Safety-and-Work-Life-CG-11/Office-of-Health-Services-CG-112/Operational-Medicine-
and-Quality-Improvement-Division/Aviation-Medicine/. A waiver must be submitted and
approved before a member can be selected for aviation training.
    a. If the applicant meets ALL Coast Guard requirements, the applicant may continue the
physical process to determine medical qualification. If an applicant does not meet CG
anthropometric requirements, the applicant must be measured to ensure standards for
US Navy trainers (T-6, T-44 and TH-57) are met, as per REF (D).
US NAVY ANTHROPOMETRICS TABLE 2
AIRCRAFT      BUTTOCK-KNEE LENGTH   SITTING HEIGHT   SITTING EYE HEIGHT    THUMB TIP REACH
T-6 A/B         21.0-28.9                         31.0-40.9             26 or Greater                26.5 or Greater
TH-57C         21.0-27.9                         32-39.4                27.5 or Greater             27.5 or Greater
T-44A           21.0-28.4                         32-40.9                27.5 or Greater             28.5 or Greater
    b. If the applicant meets requirements for all US Navy trainers, the applicant may
progress to cockpit safety check in all Coast Guard aircraft. If the applicant does not
meet T-44 requirements, the applicant may progress to cockpit safety check in Coast Guard
Rotary aircraft. If the applicant does not meet requirements for the T-6 or TH-57, the
applicant is disqualified (DQ) from aviation training.
    c. If the applicant is cleared to perform in all CG aircraft, a waiver for
anthropometrics may be submitted to OPM.
    d. If the applicant is cleared for some but not all CG aircraft, the applicant may
submit a pipeline specific waiver for those aircraft cleared.
8. Delete Table 1-1 in REF (A) with the Table found in paragraph (6) of this ACN.
9. Delete portion of Table 5 in REF (B) with regard to Anthropometric Standards.
10. Delete ATB: Anthropometric Measurements and Standards from REF (C).
11. These changes will be incorporated into the next updates of REFs (A)-(C) which will
be released within one year of this ACN.
12. POC: CAPT Kimberly Roman, Aviation Medical Standardization Officer, 251-441-5757,
Kimberly.W.Roman@uscg.mil.
13. Released by CDR Jeremy R. Denning, Acting Director of Health, Safety and Work-Life.
14. Internet release is authorized.