Hi,I just want to warn you that SIMMING MAY PREVENT YOU FROM BEING A REAL AIRLINE PILOT!!!!!!!!!!!!AND HERE IS MY STORY:I have ever dreamed to be a real airline pilot since i was 10 years old, i ve never thought what would be my life like if i m not gonna be an airline pilot. when i first saw FS98 i was surprised that there is a CIVIL AVIATION game ,i tried to learn it alone without any help from anybody....it took me 6 months to manage to land a B737 safely. since that time i ve been addicted to Flight simming and i thought that my dream of being a pilot is starting to become closer and closer. i have been spending an Hours and hours infront of the Monitor dreaming that i m a real pilot flying a real aircraft and it was so much fun...but here comes my mystery!!!!When i was 18 years old i went to my DOCTOR to do a regular check on my EYES, and he said that i have a stigmatisme .(that means that i cant see far objects clearly) which means that i cant be a real airline pilot since i wont pass the MEDICAL EXAM of any real world airliner.HE also said that is mainly because of sitting to long time infront of my monitor and beacause of turning off the light while sitting infront of the computer(i ve also been doing that when doing a night flight)From that time till now my life have been a nightmare .SO PLEASE DONT CHOOSE TO BE A VIRTUAL PILOT like me.Dont sit infront of your computer for a long time(am not a doctor so i cant tell how much do i mean by long time..ASK A DOCTOR)Dont turn off your lights while doing a night time flight.i m so sorry for this long sad post , i just dont want anybody to be in my placeand sorry for my bad englishThanks GOOD LUCK

completely and utterly unrelated...I've had poor eyesight similar to yours since before I ever laid eyes on a computer.Even some doctors believe you can get square eyes (don't laugh, I've heard it) from looking at a computer screen...Of course staring at a screen for hours and hours isn't likely to improve your eyesight (especially if it's a bad screen) but it's unlikely to be the sole (or even major) contributing cause to your condition.In contrast, simulation can help you master procedures if you go about it in a structured manner using only the best addons and as much realworld paperwork (instruction manuals, etc.) as possible.

When i was a kid I always wanted to be a pilot the RAF - unfortunately a squint (Now corrected) prevents me from ever forfilling this dream.Still, years on now and I am happy as I ever could be. So chin up and move on - I'm sure things will be ok in the long run!Cheers,

In the US, one can have *corrected* vision to 20/20 and get a 2nd or 1st class medical, as long as you fulfill the requirement on your medical and actually use glasses when you fly. I have an astigmatism(sp?) too, and although my medical is only 3rd class (and I do need correction to be able to pass this medical), it's no impediment to flying. I just have to be sure to take the glasses along, as it's illegal to fly without them.Maybe it's different internationally? Things like diabetes, epilepsy and heart conditions can be a problem (luckly I have no first-hand experience with those).Bruce.

One of the toughest things about aviation, IMO, is medical issues. Sometimes with medical issues theres just no way to fix 'em. For me, I got my 2nd class medical, having to make some sacrifices. I had to stop taking certain medications and start wearing glasses. While I got past those two hurdles, and I'm at a flight school now, I'm faced with another issue: motion sickness. I only have maybe 4 hours, but every time I go up, after an hour or so in the air I get sick. It really is frustrating, and it can be a real downer. The tuff part about my situation is that I hear some people get used to it, and some don't get used to the sickness. So, how am I to know when to give up and move on, or keep trying to fight it? Its a tough world.

After having spent many years at sea doing oceanographic research, SAR etc., I can tell you that there are some people who never adapt to the motion. The good news, if there is any, is that those that don't adapt are a relatively small percentage. :)

Tom,When I was young and my father was teaching me to fly, I had tons of motion sickness problems. Dad confided to me he always went up hungry to solve that problem, never eating more than 4 hrs before flying. I worked on me, and after a few years the problem totally went away . . .although I kept the habit during my AF years as being a tad hungry made me a whole lot more awake and observant. (yeah, I cheated with Ritz crackers ).On your doing oceanographic research, the longer I am in this hobby and use AVSIM I find your background very multi faceted . . . Your a most talented individual, but I do believe, Tom, your true calling is right here, at AVSIM . . .and I for one wouldn't have it any other way.Thanks for being around, for all of our fs needs.Best to you and your family this holiday season.Clayhttp://www.dreamfleet2000.com/gfx/images/F...ers/Dopke01.jpgClayton T. Dopke (Clay)Major, USAF (retired)"Drac"

I grew up wanting nothing more than to be a pilot, and when I was 17 I was entered for the RAF's officer and aircrew selection tests.At the end of the tests they told me I more than met the required standard, but my legs were 14mm too long for aircrew. Apparently if I ever had to eject from an aircraft I would be leaving my kneecaps behind!Interestingly enough, I really breezed through the flying aptitude tests - I have been flying flight sims of one kind or another since I was 9 years old and I believe that was a great help when it came to the aptitude tests.Back in 2000 with a career in military aviation ruled out I decided to go for a career with the airlines. I went to college to study for the qualifications I needed to apply for British Airways' sponsorship scheme. I got those qualifications in August 2001 and the events of the following month put paid to BA's sponsorship programme. Some other UK airlines operate a sponsorship scheme, but the student must contribute around half the training costs (way out of my financial league). This has pretty much ruled out an airline career for me (for the forseeable future at least)Right now I work for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service ("the civilian fighting wing of the Royal Navy" LOL!). I'm an engineer officer cadet and am about 18 months away from qualifying. I spent this summer on RFA Diligence operating out of Singapore. I visited Malaysia and sailed across the Indian Ocean. It was the best four months of my life, a fantastic experience and something I would never have considered a few years ago.I grew up utterly absorbed in aviation and aeroplanes. Here I am now studying marine engineering and spending my days clambering around huge diesel engines, fault finding radars and doing firefighting and damage control training!The moral of the story is this:Even though you may be an aeroplane freak and live to fly (like I did), there are other careers you can persue that are every bit as interesting, enjoyable and fulfilling. You just have to look for them!

I've been staring at a computer screen since 1982. In fact I taught a BASIC programming course when I was in fifth grade. My eyesight is still 20/13, although it used to be 20/10. Maybe I'm lucky or blessed, but I think many factors contribute to poor eyesight. Newer CRTs emit much lower levels of radiation. LCDs don't emit any. You stand a greater chance nowadays of getting carpal-tunnel-syndrome. I also always wanted to be an airline pilot, but chose I.T. since I really enjoyed it also- although I did want to be a game programmer- other than a six month stint at a game company that never really panned out- and I found out that it is much more fun to play finished games than make them :) Besides, I like armchair flying, and hope to own a plane/heli in the next few years. I think real airline pilots get jaded, and the whole industry is tumultuous- so it's probably not as glamorous as we'd like to think. Especially for the younger ones (my neighbor Rob and his wife moved several times in a few years- and he would be gone for days at a time). Funny story here- sorry if it's getting off topic, but I've been wanting to tell this to the guys/gals here:One of my best friend's fathers growing up was a captain for TWA and retired with a big pension. He now owns part of an airport in Florida (I think it's a fractional share type of thing). He was very type A though, which I'm not. Not a speck anywhere in their house. My friend freaked out because they were pretty overbearing and moved to Puerto Rico. He met an American girl down there, married her, and has done well working for the phone company. I see him every few years, and he calls about twice a year. Naturally, he had an interest in aviation- but never pursued it until he got to Puerto Rico- where he purchased an ultralight with floats. He learned to fly from "some guy" that looked like he financed his own airplane through illicit "medicinal" transactions. So I got a call one night- This guy was flying Kevin's ultralight, and just landed near a beach. He pulled a lever to pop out the rudders, only on Kevin's plane it popped out the landing gear. Needless to say, the airplane didn't take that very well. So they flip it over, clear out the engine- and this guy gets in and flies it back. We thought that was the end of it BUT: We get a call about 6 months later- Kevin was flying to a nearby island at about 50 feet. He clips some power lines and falls into the water. he managed to unbuckle himself (broken ribs and all) and a nearby boat crew pulls him in. After he got out of the hospital, he went straight to the police station (quite unvoluntarily) and there was the FAA. The guy slammed down a big manual, pointed to Kevin, and said "You know what this is?". Keving said "Uh, the FAA rulebook?". The guy then yelled "Yes! And you broke just about every rule in it!". That was the end of his flying career.

>Hi,>>I just want to warn you that SIMMING MAY PREVENT YOU FROM>BEING A REAL AIRLINE PILOT!!!!!!!!!!!!>>AND HERE IS MY STORY:>>I have ever dreamed to be a real airline pilot since i was 10>years old, i ve never thought what would be my life like if i>m not gonna be an airline pilot. when i first saw FS98 i was>surprised that there is a CIVIL AVIATION game ,i tried to>learn it alone without any help from anybody....it took me 6>months to manage to land a B737 safely. >since that time i ve been addicted to Flight simming and i>thought that my dream of being a pilot is starting to become>closer and closer. i have been spending an Hours and hours>infront of the Monitor dreaming that i m a real pilot flying a>real aircraft and it was so much fun...but here comes my>mystery!!!!>>When i was 18 years old i went to my DOCTOR to do a regular>check on my EYES, and he said that i have a stigmatisme .>(that means that i cant see far objects clearly) which means>that i cant be a real airline pilot since i wont pass the>MEDICAL EXAM of any real world airliner.HE also said that is>mainly because of sitting to long time infront of my monitor>and beacause of turning off the light while sitting infront of>the computer(i ve also been doing that when doing a night>flight)>>From that time till now my life have been a nightmare .>>SO PLEASE DONT CHOOSE TO BE A VIRTUAL PILOT like me.>Dont sit infront of your computer for a long time(am not a>doctor so i cant tell how much do i mean by long time..ASK A>DOCTOR)>Dont turn off your lights while doing a night time flight.>>i m so sorry for this long sad post , i just dont want anybody>to be in my place>>and sorry for my bad english>Thanks >GOOD LUCKYour Doctor is a screwball.....

Simming WON'T prevent you from being a real airline pilot, however, the fact that a great number of airlines are bankrupt WILL! :-lolActually, come to think of it, that may indeed not be true at all since; If you are home simmin' then you are NOT out paying money to fly on an airline which in turn helps contribute to their bacnkruptcy! Darn-it! You were right after all! :-lolMike T.

"I've been staring at a computer screen since 1982. In fact I taught a BASIC programming course when I was in fifth grade. My eyesight is still 20/13, although it used to be 20/10. Maybe I'm lucky or blessed, but I think many factors contribute to poor eyesight. Newer CRTs emit much lower levels of radiation. LCDs don't emit any. You stand a greater chance nowadays of getting carpal-tunnel-syndrome. I also always wanted to be an airline pilot, but chose I.T. since I really enjoyed it also- although I did want to be a game programmer- other than a six month stint at a game company that never really panned out- and I found out that it is much more fun to play finished games than make them :) Besides, I like armchair flying, and hope to own a plane/heli in the next few years."Chris,Your story sounds just like mine verbatim except I have a private pilots license for the last 12 years with no restrictions on my 3rd class. I also do not wear any corrective lenses.Carmine http://ftp.avsim.com/dcforum/Images/wave.gif

Muscles need help too.Regards,me .. ....***********From:http://www.nih.gov/od/ors/ds/ergonomics/exerciseeyes.html"Eye Exercises & Stretches Eye Comfort Exercises 1. Blinking (produces tears to help moisten and lubricate the eyes) 2. Yawning (produces tears to help moisten and lubricate the eyes) 3. Expose eyes to natural lightPalming 1. while seated, brace elbows on the desk and close to the desk edge 2. let weight fall forward 3. cup hands over eyes 4. close eyes 5. inhale slowly through nose and hold for 4 seconds 6. continue deep breathing for 15-30 seconds Eye Movements 1. close eyes 2. slowly and gently move eyes up to the ceiling, then slowly down to the floor 3. repeat 3 times 4. close eyes 5. slowly and gently move eyes to the left, then slowly to the right 6. repeat 3 timesFocus Change 1. hold one finger a few inches away form the eye 2. focus on the finger 3. slowly move the finger away 4. focus far into the distance and then back to the finger 5. slowly bring the finger back to within a few inches of the eye 6. focus on something more than 8 feet away 7. repeat 3 times" *******

This post is as missleading as the Credit Card Scam thread! Sorry sitting in front of the TV does not cause bad eye sight either ALTHOUGH I have heard it does since the 70s! Computer=bad eye sight? Geez there are some born every minute..Best Wishes,[h4]Randy J. Smith[/h4]http://www.rawbw.com/~bdoolin/shinault/southparkcartmad.gif[h3]PMDG 747![/h3]Caution! Not a real pilot, but do play one on TV ;-)ASUS KV8 DLX | AMD 3200 64 | 1 GIG PC 3200 DDR | GIGABYTE 5700 ULTRA | ViewSonic VP192b 19" |

HA!Same kind of thing happened to me a long time ago. Third year of college I noticed just a very slight blurring in my left eye far distance. Went to see the doc. Sure enough, had a "stigmatism." Doctor said it was no big deal at all. . .only I just wouldn't be able to do certain things like be a jet pilot. Yeah, right.So far I have over 13,000 flight hours. . .most flying transport category turbojets all over the world. . .and I have countless untold hours flying my home pc ever since Sublogic's ATP. Needless to say. . .don't let this keep you from your dreams.Gary Hawk"HAWKMAN"TWA Pilot, Captain, 1989-2003Avid Flight Simmer