telboy.com
1st Dec 2001, 19:22
I am 19, finishing my A Levels, and have always wanted to become a pilot. I live in London and hoped to begin flying properly after my exams however I am shortsighted with a prescription of -6.50D overal. I have just started a vision trainning program where it may be possible to reduce my prescription, naturally, but most optomotrists say it doesn't work. Therefore i will not qualify for a CAA medical but have been told that I may qualify for an FAA initial. To do this I would have to train in America which I am willing to do if thats what it takes. However I want to be an instructor and maybe, in years to come, go on to an airline but if I am FAA qualified can I be employed in the UK or would I have to be an instructor/ airline pilot in America hence moving home etc?
How recognised are A levels abroad? Any information would be very helpful. THANX :)
[ 01 December 2001: Message edited by: telboy747 ]
Here are the FAA requirements:
Eye standards for a firstclass airman medical certificate are:
(a) Distant visual acuity of 20/20 or better in each eye separately, with or without corrective lenses. If corrective lenses (spectacles or contact lenses) are necessary for 20/20 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. If age 50 or older, near vision of 20/40 or better, Snellen equivalent, at both 16 inches and 32 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) Normal fields of vision.
(e) 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.
(f) Bifoveal fixation and vergencephoria relationship sufficient to prevent a break in fusion under conditions that may reasonably be expected to occur in performing airman duties. Tests for the factors named in this paragraph are not required except for persons found to have more than 1 prism diopter of hyperphoria, 6 prism diopters of esophoria, or 6 prism diopters of exophoria. If any of these values are exceeded, the Federal Air Surgeon may require the person to be examined by a qualified eye specialist to determine if there is bifoveal fixation and an adequate vergencephoria relationship. However, if otherwise eligible, the person is issued a medical certificate pending the results of the examination.
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.