monocular pilots

[Lomcovaks]

Hello all,

I recently met a young man whilst flying down to Bordeaux to visit another pilot friend who has become smitten by the flying bug.

It was only when he came to taking a medical before going solo that it was revealed he was blind in one eye. As he was born like this and drives a car and races a motorcycle competitively he'd never even thought to mention it.

The local club were not encouraging and he's now been to the regional medical examiner in Bordeaux who have examined him and forwarded his file to the DGAC in Paris.

I have been told colloquially that there are a number of monocular pilots in the UK (who may have acquired class 3 medicals).

Can anyone help to assist this budding private pilot by providing chapter and verse on whether it is possible to gain a class 2 JAR licence with monocular vision? The CAA web site is not absolutely clear on this . Better still, if anyone could give me a steer to contacting any monocular pilots that they know I would appreciate it very much as it may help this talented potential aviator to continue his course.

Many thanks,

Lomcovaks

[mr_flydive]

Yes you can get a flying medical, the flying data for pilots in the states exists and the CAA has relaxed the rules. It is based on functionality I think. Check with the website again and the local AME

[Circuit Basher]

[Non-medically-qualified quote from FCL3 follows]

From JAR FCL3 (http://www.jaa.nl/section1/jars/43/52/435247/435247.pdf) on page Appendices-11, I found:Appendix 13 to Subparts B & C (continued)
3 (a) Monocularity entails unfitness for a Class 1 certificate. The AMS may consider recertification for a Class 2 certificate if the underlying pathology is acceptable according to ophthalmic specialist assessment and subject to a satisfactory flight test.

I suggest you get this young fellow to talk to the nice men at the Belgrano.

[Lomcovaks]

Circuit Basher,

Many many thanks for the direct link there. I'd looked myself and couldn't find it.

I've mailed the link to my friend in Bordeaux and asked him to translate it and hopefully find the same information on the French JAR web page.

The person involved will have no trouble with the satisfactory flight test as he was just about to go solo before anyone even knew he was blind in one eye! Now it's fingers crossed for the opthalmic examination.

I'm sure that this has given him real hope though and I thank you for your assistance.

Lom

[DOH]

As Always The FAA take a more practical approach.

Here is how they deal with it.

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Monocular Vision
Pilots with useful vision in only one eye may obtain medical certification upon demonstrating the ability to compensate for the loss of binocular vision and to perform airman duties without compromising aviation safety. The Aviation Medical Examiner should not issue a medical certificate of any class to a monocular applicant unless he/she presents written evidence of prior clearance by the FAA. The Examiner may assist the applicant in the initial steps toward obtaining the clearance by submitting a Report of Eye Evaluation, FAA Form 8500-7, along with the application, FAA Form 8500-8, and any other available information from the applicant's treating ophthalmologist. An airman is considered to have monocular vision if the best-corrected central visual acuity in an eye is 20/200 or worse.

Following the loss of vision, a recovery period of at least 6 months is needed to assure stability and to permit adequate adjustment and compensation for monocular vision.

Depending upon the visual acuity of the remaining eye (20/20 or better, each eye separately, with or without correction for First and Second-class; 20/40 for Third class), the applicant who is otherwise qualified may be issued a medical certificate by the FAA with a limitation "Valid for Student Pilot Privileges Only." When the applicant meets the flight experience requirements for the pilot certificate being sought, the FAA will authorize a medical flight test. This test may be taken in conjunction with the practical flight test. When the student is within about two months of completing flight training, a written request for an authorization for a medical flight test should be requested from the Aeromedical Certification Division. Specify which Flight Standards District Office is to be used for the test. Otherwise, the FAA will use the FSDO nearest your mailing address. Upon successful completion of the combined flight test, a Statement of Demonstrated Ability ("waiver") and a corrected, unrestricted medical certificate will be issued.

The monocular vision pilot is not limited to private pilots. With flight experience, the airman may qualify for additional certificates and ratings. Appropriate medical flight tests may be required for advanced certificates.

Use this address to request the authorization:

Aerospace Medical Certification Division
(AAM-300)
FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
6700 South MacArthur Blvd.
Oklahoma City, OK 73169

Phone 800/350-5286, 405/954-4821
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Hope this helps