Comment Re:Hope Europe takes notice (Score 2, Informative) 520
Even though perfectly adapted lenses give me a 20/20 eyesight, I cannot qualify.
Are you sure? Here are the vision requirements for a third-class medical certificate (the one you need for non-commercial operations):
67.303 Eye. Eye standards for a thirdclass airman medical certificate are: (a) Distant visual acuity of 20/40 or better in each eye separately, with or without corrective lenses. If corrective lenses (spectacles or contact lenses) are necessary for 20/40 vision, the person may be eligible only on the condition that corrective lenses are worn while exercising the privileges of an airman certificate. (b) Near vision of 20/40 or better, Snellen equivalent, at 16 inches in each eye separately, with or without corrective lenses. (c) Ability to perceive those colors necessary for the safe performance of airman duties. (d) No acute or chronic pathological condition of either eye or adnexa that interferes with the proper function of an eye, that may reasonably be expected to progress to that degree, or that may reasonably be expected to be aggravated by flying.
Unless your condition is covered by (d), you can get a medical certificate that restricts you to flying only while wearing corrective lenses. That's how mine reads, at least.
The requirements for first (airline captain) and second (other commercial operations) class medical certificates read about the same -- for those, you need to be able to get to 20/20 at distance, but you can use your contacts or glasses to do it. I forget if the uncorrected vision requirement was from the government or from airlines' own hiring guidelines, but it's definitely not a current requirement for civil aviation in the USA.
If that's the only thing between you and a medical certificate, give your friendly AME a call and get yourself cleared for takeoff. :-)
Are you sure? Here are the vision requirements for a third-class medical certificate (the one you need for non-commercial operations):
67.303 Eye. Eye standards for a thirdclass airman medical certificate are: (a) Distant visual acuity of 20/40 or better in each eye separately, with or without corrective lenses. If corrective lenses (spectacles or contact lenses) are necessary for 20/40 vision, the person may be eligible only on the condition that corrective lenses are worn while exercising the privileges of an airman certificate. (b) Near vision of 20/40 or better, Snellen equivalent, at 16 inches in each eye separately, with or without corrective lenses. (c) Ability to perceive those colors necessary for the safe performance of airman duties. (d) No acute or chronic pathological condition of either eye or adnexa that interferes with the proper function of an eye, that may reasonably be expected to progress to that degree, or that may reasonably be expected to be aggravated by flying.
Unless your condition is covered by (d), you can get a medical certificate that restricts you to flying only while wearing corrective lenses. That's how mine reads, at least.
The requirements for first (airline captain) and second (other commercial operations) class medical certificates read about the same -- for those, you need to be able to get to 20/20 at distance, but you can use your contacts or glasses to do it. I forget if the uncorrected vision requirement was from the government or from airlines' own hiring guidelines, but it's definitely not a current requirement for civil aviation in the USA.
If that's the only thing between you and a medical certificate, give your friendly AME a call and get yourself cleared for takeoff.
