Feedback on stereoscopic vision

[Tarhe2A]

Hello, :)

The reason I'm asking this here is that I am specifically looking for helicopter pilots to discuss with.

I have been hired as a pilot in the Air Force, but failed the medical admission due to a lack of stereoscopic vision ; despite a perfect vision in all other fields.

As I have been told by doctors, the stereoscopic vision is only effective to 6-8m.
With the perspective of becoming a helicopter pilot in the civilian world ; I am trying to see if this could be a trouble when flying, particularly when longlining. (as it's generally more than 8 meters long).

I am looking for feedback from helicopter pilots with no stereoscopic vision, in private if you wish to keep it secret.

Thank you very much :)

[Flying Bull]

Hi Tarhe2A,

don´t see many - if any chance in helicopter flying without proper stereoscopic vision.

You need it inside the cockpit for fast getting the right switches, as well as for landings in tight spots.

In normal life you can compensate the lack of stereoscopic vision with experiance - but who would hire a pilot with handicaps, if he can have dozens of pilots without?

Sorry

[f0xhunter]

In CAA world, As long as your field of vision is acceptable, and you pass your single eye acuity, presence of stereoscopsis is not independently tested. Often lack of depth perception occurs due to amblyopia, however this in itself is not disqualifying. Single eye visual acuity criteria will need to be met.

In FAA world, monocularity is not a problem.

In the real world, speaking as some with no depth perception, it's not an issue. the brain learns to interpret the cue available.

[Tarhe2A]

Thank you for these opinions !

[Paul Cantrell]

Flying Bull says:

don´t see many - if any chance in helicopter flying without proper stereoscopic vision.

You need it inside the cockpit for fast getting the right switches, as well as for landings in tight spots.

In normal life you can compensate the lack of stereoscopic vision with experiance - but who would hire a pilot with handicaps, if he can have dozens of pilots without?


This is wrong in almost every way, sorry Flying Bull.

I have amblyopia, and just as f0xhunter mentions, that causes a drastic reduction in stereo vision, and yet I've been an FAA commercial helicopter pilot for 30 years. It really has little to no effect on flying, even stuff like landing/touchdown autos where you need to judge your height above the ground accurately, and certainly the ability to get to the correct switch/circuit breaker is not an issue.

As for why would someone hire you? Probably because there are a lot of more important aspects to being a pilot, i.e. good attitude towards safety, good pilot skills, and maybe even being a better employee than the next guy.

Government agencies might or might not reject you, but it certainly shouldn't prevent you from pursuing a career as a helicopter pilot!

[Flying Bull]

Well Paul,

might be in the US and there about.
Over in some countries in Europe operators have a different approach.
After the deliberate flight into ground of the AirBerlin in France, because medical issues weren´t looked after, the operators are careful who to employ.
Nobody want a crash - but if one happens and the board finds out, that the pilot had problems with the vision, they might get hold liable.
I doubt, that in some/most european countrys you would get the appropiate 1st class medical today.
Times change - what was possible yesterday and might get still signed today by the doc, you know for thirty years, could be impossible if you start into the buiseness.

[Rotorbee]

I have yet to find anything about stereovision in the EASA regs.
Can anyone point that out? I think that would help our friend more, than regulations of the german police.

[Flying Bull]

https://www.easa.europa.eu/system/files/dfu/AMC%20and%20GM%20on%20the%20medical%20certification%20of%20p ilots%20and%20medical%20fitness%20of%20cabin%20crew.pdf

Page 24 following - there you find all about the requirements for the vision

[Rotorbee]

Thanks.
Tarhe2A, talk to an AME and get professional advice. You are not a handicapped person. Your condition might not be as bad as you think.
If you get your Class 1 medical you are good to go and live your dream. Just don't apply to a certain German police force.

[mickjoebill]

As has been stated, stereo vision falls off at 50ft.
There is evidence that beyond 50ft the brain works hard at identifing the roundness of subjects to provide a faux stereoscopic vision, let's call it a perception of depth.
I understand that persons who have lost their sight in one eye have developed a greater skill in this regard.

Perhaps this is also the case with people with your condition?

If so, your arguement is that you have better depth perception beyond 50ft than the rest of us.


Mickjoebill