View Full Version : NATS eyesight limits
pilotho
14th Apr 2007, 17:16
Does anyone have the current limits for eyesight for NATS.
I am led to believe that other ATCO follow the same class 1 limits as pilots, correct?
NeoDude
14th Apr 2007, 18:08
Correct as far as I know. A class 1 is a class 1 after all.
Although saying that I'm sure I've heard of one situation where a candidate failed a couple of Ishihara plates but still got issued a class 1 only after the doc realised it was for ATC and not piloting. Probably just a rumour though.
Negative.
I hold a class 1 JAA Medical for piloting but was turned down for NATS due to failing the eyesight requirements.
They are strict (and stupid IMHO) - I had no such problems with Eurocontrol.
Ppdude
14th Apr 2007, 20:55
Im an ATCO and my eyes are rubbish. -1.75 in both eyes if that helps at all. And I know there are worse than me
pilotho
15th Apr 2007, 00:04
BeT, what is the presciption for your eyes?
-3.50L
-4.00R
So quite bad - I can only just read the top line of the letters board they use!
NATS wouldn't even progress me to the 1st stage tests due eyesight.
pumuckl
15th Apr 2007, 08:55
Have a look at this thread. ATCO Eyesight Limit (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=267170) Might give you some info.
Cheers
p.
radar707
15th Apr 2007, 10:21
if your eyes are outside the limts, you could consider laser surgery to bring them within the limits.
Be careful..... Eurocontrol will not accept laser corrected vision.
Im not sure what the situation with NATS is.
pilotho
15th Apr 2007, 16:21
is the prescription the sum of SPH and CYL or just the SPH value?
Surely if you can correct your eyes to 6/6 it should be ok, right?
PPRuNeUser0162
16th Apr 2007, 13:50
pilotho,
Best thing to do is to call H.R. before starting any application - I went through the whole shebang (and really got my hopes up) before being rather abruptly told 'go away'. (I started the thread that pumuckl referred to)
I was also told that laser correction would not necesarily be rejected or accepted, it depends on the circumstances.
If you want any more info, PM
Regards
Britboy
classicwings
16th Apr 2007, 14:46
Just for the record, my prescription of -1.50 left eye for both Sphere and Cyle caused no problems with my NATS ATCO application but was a definite no go for my attempt at doing ATC in the RAF (and that was after a second eye test about 6 months later..............).
There seems to be (slightly) more leeway for not up to scratch eyesight on the civilian side for Class 1 Medical but is certainly NOT accepted in the military- and i also know that having corrective laser eye surgey for Aircrew/Ground ops. RAF trades will not solve someones medical hinderance!:{
Number2
16th Apr 2007, 15:41
Surprised by classicwings' comments. I was in the RAF and my eyesight was awful (I couldn't even see the big A at the top of the chart - approx -5.5 in both eyes). I had lasik surgery (as well as several other mil atcos I could name) and subsequently passed my Class 1 medical with NATS.
My prescription is -5.25 in both eyes and I was sent by the medical branch to see a specialist, afterwords I was told that I was very very boarderline, but I got through! I've not seen it written anywhere official, but I remember being told by a medical type person that the limit was ±5 diopters in each eye and binocular.
niknak
16th Apr 2007, 23:00
I seem to remember that the UK CAA used to require a 12 month rest from operational duty between having LASIK surgery and return to work, hopefully, with the surgery now proven successful in the majority of cases, that has been reduced.
classicwings
17th Apr 2007, 11:12
Did you end up a fully operational ATCO in the RAF, Number 2?
Number2
17th Apr 2007, 16:12
Yes - for more years than I care to remember.
45 before POL
18th Apr 2007, 19:34
i asked what the guidlines were when i went through my medical for nats back in 2002. The limits on the class 1 medical was +-5 for sight , although exceptions on that did happen. Nats however set there eye sight test at +-3 of which i was +2.75 in both. On asking why it was set at this, it was based on the fact that students at the time were aged 28 or below and factored in the likelihood of deterioration through age. However older students were assessed slightly differently, as age was factored in.
That seems strange in one respect, as myopia tends to decrease as a person gets older and the shape on the lens changes.
But hey-ho!
camus_to
3rd May 2007, 13:56
Hi, everyone.
I just would like to ask whether I can get a Class 1 medical or not in FAA.
L: -6.5 myopia, -1.25 ast.
R: -5.75 myopia, -1.75 ast.
Grateful if anyone give me some suggestion.