Can overweight people become commercial pilots?
Depends on how overweight you are. There are two issues involved. One is whether or not you physically fit in the aircraft cockpit, and they are not roomy places. This is even more pronounced in the light aircraft you will do your initial training in. Then there are the medical issues. An aviation medical is no joke, and while obesity per se is not an issue, the consequences (diabetes, heart disease, etc.) are very much issues. Do yourself a favour and do something about it. Look at it as a first test of your determination to achieve a goal. I’ve been there myself: the first flight school I talked to use Cessna 172s, and I just didn’t fit. I have since lost quite a bit of weight (35 pounds and counting…), and am now training in Piper Cherokees, which are a little bit roomier, but still pretty cozy. I’m tall but have ample head and leg room in both aircraft. It’s the side-to-side that’s tight, and will always be for two adults. Just how much do you weigh? The plane’s payload is finite
