Can you get a job with crap eyes
Ahem, ladies and gentlemen of the jury I have a well worn but nonetheless pertinent question for you all.
I am a 38 year old male, UK national (currently in HM Forces, due to leave in 3 years) who has always wanted to fly for a living. Problem is my eyesight is so poor that I can't even get a JAA PPL (left eye -8.5 dptr and right eye -9.5 dptr, and thats with out the astigmatism that pushes the figures up to -11 dptr for both). Now, when corrected my eyesight is 6/4 which means it's damned good, not that current JAA regs recognise this. Therefore the only route left is the FAA who check vision corrected (unless anyone knows of other aviation regulating bodies that do the same), what is the liklihood that if qualified with the requisite licences I would gain employment. I must add that airlines are not for me, my chosen field would be AG/Bush flying. I have sounded out a few specialist schools who all assure me that if I can get an FAA class 2 for CPL then I'll be ok, but then of course they'll say that, they want my custom! One has even assured me that he'll give me a job as a flying instructor if I get the requisites. Am I wasting my time and be better off channeling my energies elsewhere, flight dispatcher for example, or is there a chance that I could realise a life long ambition and and pursue a career in crop dusting, bush flying, I will be willing to travel anywhere around the globe to do this by the way, and believe it or not my wife supports me in this.
The floor is all yours.