Can I Be a Flyer if I'm 14, 5'5" and 95 Pounds?

You're curious about whether you can become a flyer at your current age and weight. Being 14, 5'5" (165 cm) and weighing 95 pounds (43 kg) does present unique challenges, but let's explore your situation in more detail.

Understanding Your Current Weight and Height

Your body mass index (BMI) is 18.2, which puts you in the underweight range. Losing any more weight could put you at risk of being underweight, which is not ideal for overall health and fitness. Growing taller is still within the normal range for your age, but growth can vary widely. If you're still growing, there's a chance you could reach a height closer to average, which is important for many activities, including flying.

Is it Suitable to Be a Flyer?

At 14, if you haven't finished growing yet, you have a better chance of being a flyer since height is an advantage. Additionally, even if you have stopped growing, you can still fly light aircraft and many larger aircraft as long as you can reach the rudder pedals without having the yoke embedded in your chest. The military has stricter height and weight requirements, but for recreational or sports flying, you are definitely within the acceptable range.

Factors to Consider for Being a Flyer

There are several qualities that make a good flyer, and you can work on most of them:

Flexibility: Regular stretching can enhance your flexibility, which is crucial for a variety of flying stunts and maneuvers. Balance/Proprioception: Focus on exercises that improve your sense of balance, such as yoga or Pilates. Confidence/Comfort with Heights: Overcoming your fear of heights and enhancing your confidence can help you perform better. Strong Core: A strong core is essential for maintaining stability and control while flying. Showmanship: Develop your ability to entertain and impress your audience, whether it's in a competitive cheerleading or flying setting. Size: While size is a unique factor, you should be fine as long as you can function well within your team. There's always the possibility that your teammates might be petite, which is common in cheerleading.

Final Advice

Whether you're currently in high school or still growing, stay in school and focus on fitness and stretching. Regular exercise such as soccer, basketball, bicycling, or running can help you develop the qualities necessary to be a successful flyer. With dedication and practice, you can become a great flyer regardless of your current weight and height.

Best of luck in your flying journey!