Hi all,

 

As a little boy, I always wanted to become an airline pilot, but I've pretty much already given up on that. The reason is, my eyes are not the best. I am not necessarily visually impaired, but my eyes are are just a bit under the average, which is not good enough to become an airline pilot. First of all, my vision is not 20/20 (or 100% in Dutch measurements), my maximum vision per eye is around 17/20 (85%) max. The requirements for airline pilot are 20/20 (100%) vision. Also, I use corrective lences because I have a spheric deviation of -6.50 Dioptres and a cylindric deviation of -1.25. I know that is not within the limits for an airline pilot in Europe (limit is -6.00 D), but what are the limits for RPL and PPL?

Secondly, my eyes are quite sensitive to sunlight, not artificial light though. I frequently wear sunglasses too, simply because I have to. Whenever I do, my vision is fine and I don't feel visually impaired due to the sunlight anymore.

 

So all in all, you can say I've got some minor to moderate eye problems, but I'm not visually impaired. For example, I have just gotten my drivers licence, which is quite an accomplishment considering it's not easy to pass your driving exams here in my country.

 

So, I'm not good enough to become an airline pilot, but is it possible for me to get my RPL or PPL? You will probably advice me to visit a doctor, but before I do I am just curious what other people think who have experience on the medical side of flying. Are the requirement just as strict as for ATPL? Or is it slightly less strict? I even heard people with impaired limps could fly, so why couldn't I? What are the requirements regarding sight for RPL and PPL?

 

For the rest, I am medically in order.

 

Thanks!

I would contact one of your local flight schools to find out. Your local school could recommend a medical professional that can answer these questions for you.

 

Asking a forum may not be the best as I am not sure how many aviation doctors from the Netherlands are active in here, or if it is good practice to answer medical questions on a public forum.

 

For me I just went to my local flight school, they had a doctor that comes every Wednesday, I asked plenty of questions before I began my flight training and everyone that I talked to was very helpful.

You might consider getting corrective surgery. If its the approved type the FAA is ok with you flying not sure about over there though. Also have you considered going the corporate route if you get on with a good company you'll make just as much as an airline pilot and alot of times you only have to have a second class medical. Don't give up so easy on your dreams! A pilot told my dad this once "Pick a star and don't stop working till you get there" well my dad didn't and he's now a retired 747-400 captain with around 30,000 hours. And I followed in his foot steps I promise you man work at it find the loop holes move to the US or Asia even but don't give up on your dreams of being a pilot because there is nothing else like it. I'd fly for free because to me flying is never work its just pure fun. You might look into going to Alaska to fly that's what I'm doing after college while I wait for a Airforce reserve slot. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgEzmHvN4Wk

Before anyone even thinks about learning to fly they should get a medical as required by their giverning body (CAA, FAA etc). This could save them money and a big let down if they have any medical issues.

 

I have known people start to learn to fly only to be halted because they do not meet the required medical standards when they go for their medical (when learning you only need to get a medical if/when you intend to fly solo - along with other stuff obviously!).

 

Depending what you intend to fly your own doctor may be able to carry out the medical (ie PPL). If anyone intends to go to CPL or ATPL then it would be a good idea to get the required level of medical first.

 

Pilots as they get older may need corrective glasses, that in its self may not be an issue (obviously depending on whats going on) as their medical will state that they must whear corrective glasses (as perscribed) ... with that you must also carry a secont set incase you loose/damage the set you have on.

 

So ... you may be ok (wile I'm a CPL I'm not a doctor) but you need a profesional medical assessment.

 

Good luck

 

Rich

 

PS ... sorry about the spelling mistakes (ive just noticed) typing this quick in my lunch break

I'm not sure about european/dutch regulations, but here in the US your vision needs to be correctable to 20/20, ie. with glasses, to get your PPL.

"...find the loop holes..."

 

I wouldn't have said that finding loopholes in safety regulations is the most sensible or ethical advice to give somebody aiming to become a pilot (think about us down here on the ground..)

You do not need 20/20 corrected vision for a PPL. In the US. I am fairly certain a third class medical allows for 20/40.

You do not need 20/20 corrected vision for a PPL. In the US. I am fairly certain a third class medical allows for 20/40.

 

20/40... that would be about 50% vision in European measurements. I know, doesn't seem like much, but I can assure you that the gap between 50%-100% is much much smaller than the gap between 0%-50%. So in other words, 50% vision is not THAT bad.

 

3rd class medical... what will I be able to fly with that? I hope not gliders only... All I want is flying general aviation planes like Cessnas and Pipers, than I will already be very happy. Not an airline pilot, but still enjoying my big dream, flying.

A 3rd class medical (at least in the US) is all you need for a PPL with any ratings you want tacked on. The difference comes into play when you're looking to exercise commercial privileges, where you need a 2nd class medical to operate with a Commercial license, and a 1st class medical to operate as an Airline Transport Pilot.

Well i have amblyopia (which means one of my eyes doesnt see as well as the other ones and i have a problem with distances compared to both eyes.) i am 3/10 left and 10/10 right. I also wear glasses so my left eye isnt really that low. In France i was a ble to get my class 2 medical and im currently working on my PPL, the doctor told my in Europe and UK it will be very difficult to become and airline pilot (i want to become a pilot also XD) due to the eye standards. However since i have lived in the USA for 14 years and i was thinking about going back when i finish high school, im gonna try my luck there since in my family we know quite a bit of pilots who said that the standards in the usa are not high. So what i am saying is that there are a chances that you could get your medicals. But ONLY aviation medical examiner can tell you if you can or can not fly because they all have different opinions on the subject. Good luck!

Ok, I just did research and stumbled upon the JAR-FCL 3 which features all the medical requirements in Europe. Unfortunately, there are only 2 classes instead of three.

 

Regarding sight, these are the requirements:

 

Class I:

Visual faculty, corrected or uncorrected, of at least 0.7 (6/9) in one eye seperately, and at least 1.0 (6/6) with two eyes together is required to pass the medical examination.

 

Class II:

Visual faculty, corrected or uncorrected, of at least 0.5 (6/12) in one eye seperately, and at least 1.0 (6/6) with two eyes together, is required to pass the medical examination.

 

 

 

Guess I'm done... I can achieve 0.8 in one eye seperately, and a maximum of 0.9 with two eyes together. I just need that 0.1 more... :(

 

Luckily, I heard that the European medical requirements are going to change at 8th of April 2013. I hope they will become a bit more tolerant, especially on the Class II medical.

 

Or otherwise I will try my luck in the US like Arthur. I am planning to study aeronautical engineering over there anyway.

"...find the loop holes..."

 

I wouldn't have said that finding loopholes in safety regulations is the most sensible or ethical advice to give somebody aiming to become a pilot (think about us down here on the ground..)

 

The FAA's stupid medical regulations have done alot more harm than good they've put alot of good pilots out on the street made every pilot afriad to get medical care I wont go to the doctor unless I'm on deaths door.

 

Ok, I just did research and stumbled upon the JAR-FCL 3 which features all the medical requirements in Europe. Unfortunately, there are only 2 classes instead of three.

 

Regarding sight, these are the requirements:

 

Class I:

Visual faculty, corrected or uncorrected, of at least 0.7 (6/9) in one eye seperately, and at least 1.0 (6/6) with two eyes together is required to pass the medical examination.

 

Class II:

Visual faculty, corrected or uncorrected, of at least 0.5 (6/12) in one eye seperately, and at least 1.0 (6/6) with two eyes together, is required to pass the medical examination.

 

 

 

Guess I'm done... I can achieve 0.8 in one eye seperately, and a maximum of 0.9 with two eyes together. I just need that 0.1 more... :(

 

Luckily, I heard that the European medical requirements are going to change at 8th of April 2013. I hope they will become a bit more tolerant, especially on the Class II medical.

 

Or otherwise I will try my luck in the US like Arthur. I am planning to study aeronautical engineering over there anyway.

Have you looked into corrective surgey?

Arjen,

 

Have you tried contacting any of the Aviation Medical Centers? You may be able to get some answers from them as I do my yearly 'medical' renewal with them.

Just give them a call! 0800-4 21 21 21 or 043-365 33 44.

Hi Arjen,

 

My vision is on the brink of needing glasses (so I don't wear them but my eyesight isn't 20/20) and I have a Class 1 JAA medical.

 

If you're not sure, the only definitive answer is from the issuing authority. It'll cost you some money but having a medical done will give you the answer you want.

 

I know you're only asking about PPL (so just go for that one if you're feeling hard up) but if you've any plans on going commercial, go for the JAA Class 1 and see if you get it, they'll tell you why if you can't.

 

As I said, it'll cost you some cash but then you'll have your answer, no questions, no regrets...

 

To spend some money and then not get the medical or to not do something guessing you won't get it, only to find you could have is more emotionaly 'expensive' than finding out now for sure and making a good decision.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Ian

 

To spend some money and then not get the medical or to not do something guessing you won't get it, only to find you could have is more emotionaly 'expensive' than finding out now for sure and making a good decision.

 

Couldn't agree more! If you really want it, you need to try.