Background  With the development of military equipment and the increasing complexity of flight missions and environments, the physical fitness of pilots directly affects flight safety and the performance of aircraft.

  Objective  To put forward scientific suggestions to enhance the physical function of the pilots by understanding the characteristics of the body composition of pilots.

  Methods  The body composition of 196 army aviation helicopter pilots were detected by the body composition analyzer, and compared among pilots of different age groups.

  Results  There was no significant difference in the muscle mass, skeletal muscle, body water and inorganic salt content among pilots between different age groups. The body fat, visceral fat, body fat percentage, body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio in pilots ≥ 30 years old were significantly higher than those of pilots ＜ 30 years old. The basal metabolism of pilots ≥40 years old was significantly lower than that of pilots ＜40 years old group. Of the 196 pilots, 55.10% were overweight or obese, 58.67% had an excess body fat rate, and 11.73% were centripetal obesity. There were significant differences in the BMI, body fat rate and centripetal obesity percentage among pilots of different age groups. Among them, 43.96% of pilots aged 20-29 years were overweight or obese, 40.66% of them had body fat rate exceeding the standard, and 3.30% of them were centripetal obesity; 66.23% of pilots aged 30-39 years were overweight or obese, 79.22% had excess body fat percentage, and 18.18% were centrally obese. Among pilots aged 40 to 49 years, 60.71% were overweight or obese, 60.71% had excess body fat percentage, and 21.43% were centrally obese.

  Conclusion  Pilot overweight and excessive body fat rate are prominent problems. The pilot’s health management should be strengthened through health education, diet and exercise guidance, so as to ensure flight quality and safety, and improve the combat effectiveness.