Pilot License with bad eyes

[Neon67]

Hi guys

 

I live in Germany and France and I am interested into doing a License to pilot some General Aviation aircraft like Cessna 172 or such.

 

However I recently went to my eye specialist, and unfortunatly I have an eye with -5.5, the other -3,5 .

 

What kind of options do I have then ? Can I do some laser operation or something similar? Does this means I will never be able to pilot any kind of airplane :cry: ?

 

Is there maybe a possibility to try in an other country where the regulations are more open ?

 

 

Thanks

[Rangi]

Depending on the cause of your eye trouble, laser can benefit enormously. I have a friend who's vision was corrected by laser and it changed his life. However not all eye problems can be fixed by laser. Talk to a qualified laser surgeon. Good luck.

[sobek]

Contact a flight school that is close to you, i'm sure they can help you. I'm not even convinced that this is a problem if you have a good pair of glasses.

[PE_Tigar]

You probably can get Class II no problem, depends of how your eyesight is after correction - that means when wearing glasses or contact lenses. I'm Class I certified, no glasses, and had laser surgery ~10 years ago. My vision is still 20/20 at least.

 

I would advise first consulting with certified AME (aeromedical examiner) and then deciding on what you want to do - laser surgery, or just correct it somehow...

[Neon67]

in which country did you get your licence PE_Tigar ?

[Roadrunner]

as much as i understand the desire to fly / fly again, i would highly recommend to realy good think about laser stuff or any kind of surgery on an intact and healty organ, and if it is realy worth it.

 

don't get me wrong, i had to think about it myself, as i had to stop my pilot training when my eyes droped below the -5 limit years back, and i decided to NOT do laser stuff as the eyes for themselfs are not ill in any way.

 

trust me, i DO miss flying, but it wasnt worth it for me.

 

RR

[Bucic]

Hi guys

 

I live in Germany and France and I am interested into doing a License to pilot some General Aviation aircraft like Cessna 172 or such.

 

However I recently went to my eye specialist, and unfortunatly I have an eye with -5.5, the other -3,5 .

 

What kind of options do I have then ? Can I do some laser operation or something similar? Does this means I will never be able to pilot any kind of airplane :cry: ?

 

Is there maybe a possibility to try in an other country where the regulations are more open ?

 

 

Thanks

Yes, you can do a laser operation if you meet some other conditions. People with far less severe eye defects qualify. From here if you rely on forums with such a decision you're making a mistake. Go to a well-established clinic and ask there. You'll hear both pros and cons because it's not a shady business. Don't be afraid that the doctors will push youtowards the surgery just to get to your money. Doctors are not brokers. Don't rely on internet research entirely either. People and articles omit some important stuff, for example other methods than LASIK varying in suitability depending on the case.

[Neon67]

I am just getting as much info as I can. Some says even with laser operation , you won't be able to apply for the license unless special derogation, others says you can. Even more it depends also of the country you are doing it.

[Bucic]

I am just getting as much info as I can. Some says even with laser operation , you won't be able to apply for the license unless special derogation, others says you can. Even more it depends also of the country you are doing it.

In Polish air force, fighter pilot trials, no one asks if you had an eye surgery or not. Result of the medical trials is what counts in the end. Polish standards in this regard are compliant with NATO standards. This should put it into perspective for you.

 

As with the surgery you should ask at the source. At an established flight school at least. I'd even call your local aviation authority if you can't find the right official regulation in power yourself.

Edited June 24, 2015 by Bucic

[TheSnark]

Is there maybe a possibility to try in an other country where the regulations are more open ?

 

Possibly the training yes, but the medical will quite likely have to be renewed in the country you are flying in, so it won't be worth the trouble in the long run.

 

Contact a medical center that certifies pilots for their medical checkup and contact a local flightschool. They will be able to inform you infinitely better and are up to date with the specifics on local regulation.

 

Since you mentioned Europe, many things are EASA certified but medical checkups for GA are usually left to local regulations.

[MiG21bisFishbedL]

Being colorblind is the bigger issue. Either way, contact your local AME and get looked at. You'll probably be required to have some kind of vision correction, be it surgery or glasses, in order to operate an aircraft, but it shouldn't be too insurmountable.

[WildBillKelsoe]

my eyesight is -6.25L/-6.50R. I'm not a pilot but I have myopia (short sight). I wore glasses since 4th grade. Now I'm 28 and still wear a pair on daily basis. Can LASIC work this? I want to apply for PPL like OP.

 

OP, I think requirement for PPL (your wanted single engine general aviation career) is less demanding than applying for CPL (commercial pilot license) and ATPL (airline transport pilot license - the big A). Talk to a consultant AME ophthalmologist. I hope he qualifies you.

[Neon67]

Being colorblind is the bigger issue. Either way, contact your local AME and get looked at. You'll probably be required to have some kind of vision correction, be it surgery or glasses, in order to operate an aircraft, but it shouldn't be too insurmountable.

 

The thing is apparently in France and Germany the maximum eyesight must not exceed -5 without correction, In France laser operation means you can say bye to your licence unless derogation

 

Eyesight - Eye examination form (MED 162)

Eyesight requirements are listed in the Class 1 Visual Standards guidance material. If you wear glasses or contact lenses it is important to take your last optician’s report along to the examination. An applicant may be assessed as fit with hypermetropia not exceeding +5.0 dioptres, myopia not exceeding -6.0 dioptres, astigmatism not exceeding 2.0 dioptres, and anisometropia not exceeding 2.0 dioptres, provided that optimal correction has been considered and no significant pathology is demonstrated. Monocular visual acuities should be 6/6 or better.

 

For class 2 in UK

 

Eyesight - Eye examination form (MED162)

Eyesight requirements are listed at Class 2 Visual Standards. If you wear glasses or contact lenses it is important to take your last optician’s report along to the examination, alternatively, you can ask your ophthalmology specialist to complete an up-to-date Eye examination form. Distant visual acuity, with or without correction, shall be 6/12 or better in each eye separately and with both eyes shall be 6/9 or better.

[aaron886]

...i decided to NOT do laser stuff as the eyes for themselfs are not ill in any way.

 

Just to extend this statement.. laser eye surgery gives no benefit to "ill" or unhealthy eyes, only to those with a poor acuity. In fact, you need to have a healthy eye in order to be a good candidate for laser eye surgery. I've had excellent results with mine, but I can concur that it is not something to take lightly.

[Bucic]

my eyesight is -6.25L/-6.50R. I'm not a pilot but I have myopia (short sight). I wore glasses since 4th grade. Now I'm 28 and still wear a pair on daily basis. Can LASIC work this? I want to apply for PPL like OP.

 

OP, I think requirement for PPL (your wanted single engine general aviation career) is less demanding than applying for CPL (commercial pilot license) and ATPL (airline transport pilot license - the big A). Talk to a consultant AME ophthalmologist. I hope he qualifies you.

It's the minor acuity problems where you're advised against surgery, so... You should call a clinic to get an answer based on your case.

 

Just to extend this statement.. laser eye surgery gives no benefit to "ill" or unhealthy eyes, only to those with a poor acuity. In fact, you need to have a healthy eye in order to be a good candidate for laser eye surgery. I've had excellent results with mine, but I can concur that it is not something to take lightly.

Good comment. I guess we could say 'laser can only fix bad optics'.

Edited June 25, 2015 by Bucic