Eyesight regulations CONDEMMED!
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Mind in the gutter, knickers in a twist.
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Crazy, re: your comment "You have to remember that in being a commercial pilot, your health and fitness is constantly monitored and the renewal limit for Class 1 is -8 dioptres", -8 is for myopia, not for astigmatism. The Class 1 renewal limit for astigmatism is 3 dioptres. I'm just mentioning this to avoid confusion...
Join Date: Oct 2000
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Yeah yeah yeah, sorry, just re-read mine and it doesn't quite make it clear enough!
As Bird Strike said, limit for astigmatism is -3, limit for short-sightedness is -8...
Bird Strike ....just confirm for me, the -8 is when they add the astigmatism onto the myopia, or is that without, ie with my total of -7, I'm still within, or is it my -5.25 which counts under the -8 category?
All clear as crystal ---- hmmm!
As Bird Strike said, limit for astigmatism is -3, limit for short-sightedness is -8...
Bird Strike ....just confirm for me, the -8 is when they add the astigmatism onto the myopia, or is that without, ie with my total of -7, I'm still within, or is it my -5.25 which counts under the -8 category?
All clear as crystal ---- hmmm!
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Crazy, the documents aren't crystal clear to me, but my interpretation would be that it is myopia + astigmatism, i.e. the total correction of -8 is the maximum, i.e. -7 is still within but would have been better with -5.25, if you see what I mean.
But don't rely on my interpretation, call CAA for clarification - getting regs clarified is relatively straight-forward.
And by the way, if you do call the medical department, try and persuade the receptionist/nurses to let you speak to the doctor. I have spoken to one of them and he was incredibly helpful, and a lot of people who have spoken to the CAA doctors found the same.
But don't rely on my interpretation, call CAA for clarification - getting regs clarified is relatively straight-forward.
And by the way, if you do call the medical department, try and persuade the receptionist/nurses to let you speak to the doctor. I have spoken to one of them and he was incredibly helpful, and a lot of people who have spoken to the CAA doctors found the same.
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eyesight
What is the position of the CAA in respect of eye surgery? I believe that certain types of astygmatism can be corrected or improved by surgery, and laser treatment is available for myopia.
Super-Friendly Aviator
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Their stance on eye surgery is stated on the website in the Class I .pdf document. See here:
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/49/SRG_MED...isual_Stds.pdf
V1R
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/49/SRG_MED...isual_Stds.pdf
V1R
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Eyesight.
If you can't see properly or you cannot pass the necessary stringent requirements laid down by the CAA/JAA/FAA please - just accept it - move on and become a good lawyer! Trust me - you will probably thank me for it in 20 years!!!
If you can\'t see properly or you cannot pass the necessary stringent requirements laid down by the CAA/JAA/FAA please - just accept it - move on and become a good lawyer! Trust me - you will probably thank me for it in 20 years!!!
If you can\'t see properly or you cannot pass the necessary stringent requirements laid down by the CAA/JAA/FAA please - just accept it - move on and become a good lawyer! Trust me - you will probably thank me for it in 20 years!!!
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MA,
OK Al, we're now seeing all double or is the repetitiveness of the message the result of your obsessive compulsive disorder?
The guy has a point though, sometimes in life we have to accept that we'd do better setting our goals at something which is achievable. And a very fulfilling life can be had by doing things other than trying to make a living as a professional pilot.
However it is pretty annoying if you can not achieve your goals due to a problem which is not your making nor would be a problem if you were trying to achieve those goals under the rules of a different but well accepted regulatory agency.
So if these chaps want to pursuit their dreams and deploy some tenacity in the process all the better, the road to the top (or in this case the pointy bit up front) is not a walk in the park and overcoming hindrances and limitations will stand them in good stead for the duration of their training and professional lives.
FD
OK Al, we're now seeing all double or is the repetitiveness of the message the result of your obsessive compulsive disorder?
The guy has a point though, sometimes in life we have to accept that we'd do better setting our goals at something which is achievable. And a very fulfilling life can be had by doing things other than trying to make a living as a professional pilot.
However it is pretty annoying if you can not achieve your goals due to a problem which is not your making nor would be a problem if you were trying to achieve those goals under the rules of a different but well accepted regulatory agency.
So if these chaps want to pursuit their dreams and deploy some tenacity in the process all the better, the road to the top (or in this case the pointy bit up front) is not a walk in the park and overcoming hindrances and limitations will stand them in good stead for the duration of their training and professional lives.
FD
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Oooops!
Yes ! Sorry about that, certainly not obessed nor obsessive I have "finger trouble" with my mouse! The mouse is too small for my finger....or is it that my finger is too large for my mouse? Anyways apologies to those with double vision who think they see the same post twice - you do!! 
Thread Starter
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Thanks for the response crazypilot, and bridstrike.
It is rereshing to see the scenario from ALL angles. And for the record it is hard to accept being disabled when in normal day to day life i haven't considered it for 25 years!
I am going to try the last effort - the JAA will soon reject my eyesight if, indeed, it is unsafe so its really out of my hands.
Thanks for all the responses - sorry for the srcastic responses scroggs - birdstrike ;-)
Dan
p.s MercenaryAli I've sat behind a desk for only 8 years and am going quietly crazy - lawyer just isn't an option! (Would sooner be a steward for ryanair!)
It is rereshing to see the scenario from ALL angles. And for the record it is hard to accept being disabled when in normal day to day life i haven't considered it for 25 years!
I am going to try the last effort - the JAA will soon reject my eyesight if, indeed, it is unsafe so its really out of my hands.
Thanks for all the responses - sorry for the srcastic responses scroggs - birdstrike ;-)
Dan
p.s MercenaryAli I've sat behind a desk for only 8 years and am going quietly crazy - lawyer just isn't an option! (Would sooner be a steward for ryanair!)
Join Date: Feb 2000
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And for the record it is hard to accept being disabled when in normal day to day life i haven't considered it for 25 years!
I tell you, flying for pleasure can be a wonderful thing. So even if you are unable to obtain a Class 1 or 2, fly for what it is - for the pleasure of flying, to be up in the air. There are still some avenues open for you if you want to do that - even FAA licence - there are some N-reg aircraft in the UK I believe.
Good luck!
P.S. I'd rather be a lawyer than a steward for Ryanair though, I don't want a sex change!
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I am another one who would be most interested in what the CAA have to say.
Eager to get cracking on an approved ATPL type course, I took a print out of the class 1 eyesight standards from the CAA to my local optician for their opinion.
It was all going marvelously until she checked out my left eye -
With my left eye I could read all but the last letter on the 6/9 line, good enough for the class 2 medical (possibly good enough for class 1 revalidation?), but not good enough for the initial class 1.
My initial reaction was b****ks!!
However if there are more ways to skin this proverbial cat, I would love to know.
Eager to get cracking on an approved ATPL type course, I took a print out of the class 1 eyesight standards from the CAA to my local optician for their opinion.
It was all going marvelously until she checked out my left eye -
With my left eye I could read all but the last letter on the 6/9 line, good enough for the class 2 medical (possibly good enough for class 1 revalidation?), but not good enough for the initial class 1.
My initial reaction was b****ks!!
However if there are more ways to skin this proverbial cat, I would love to know.
