Any news on what happened at the eyesight meeting??
Guest
Posts: n/a
Any news on what happened at the eyesight meeting??
Dear fellow wannabees!
Everyone was saying the the CAA (or JAA) were going to be holding a meeting to discuss this daft 3 diopter eyesight problem. A lot of people were saying that the meeting was going to be held in August.
I am writing to ask if ANYONE knows what was said at this meeting or what the outcome was??
Any feedback is very helpful and appreciated.
heres hoping it goes in our favour!!
Cheers,
DEAN (APW)
Everyone was saying the the CAA (or JAA) were going to be holding a meeting to discuss this daft 3 diopter eyesight problem. A lot of people were saying that the meeting was going to be held in August.
I am writing to ask if ANYONE knows what was said at this meeting or what the outcome was??
Any feedback is very helpful and appreciated.
heres hoping it goes in our favour!!
Cheers,
DEAN (APW)
Guest
Posts: n/a
I would also be very interested to hear the outcome of this.
Even if they did decide to waive the 3 diopetre ruling, I wonder whether this would only apply to those who are short-sighted (-3). It seems that you are penalised more by the CAA for being long sighted (in the + range).
e.g. If you are renewing a class 1, then the eyesight standards drop from -3 to -5, yet the long sighted range stays fixed at +3, so you can't even try and get round it by the 500 hours ruling, as you could if you were short sighted.
e.g.2. Also it appears the CAA (according to their website) now allow for corrective surgery. Yipee! I thought. However "This does not apply for correction of long sightedness or astigmatism" it goes on to say.
It seems that if you are unfortunate enough to be long sighted (even though you can see fine without glasses) then you are out of luck with the CAA...
Even if they did decide to waive the 3 diopetre ruling, I wonder whether this would only apply to those who are short-sighted (-3). It seems that you are penalised more by the CAA for being long sighted (in the + range).
e.g. If you are renewing a class 1, then the eyesight standards drop from -3 to -5, yet the long sighted range stays fixed at +3, so you can't even try and get round it by the 500 hours ruling, as you could if you were short sighted.
e.g.2. Also it appears the CAA (according to their website) now allow for corrective surgery. Yipee! I thought. However "This does not apply for correction of long sightedness or astigmatism" it goes on to say.
It seems that if you are unfortunate enough to be long sighted (even though you can see fine without glasses) then you are out of luck with the CAA...
Guest
Posts: n/a
APW,
I have some info on this one.
There was quite a lively discussion on the subject and full agreement was not reached. Several states wanted to eliminate any diopter restrictions but 3 or 4 states would only agree to increase the limit to 5 diopters for initial issue. As agreement was not reached there has been no change.
A further meeting is scheduled for first week in December at which a decision will be made. The likely outcome will be an increase to 5 diopter for initial issue. If agreement is reached then change is likely to be quick. However, if agreement is not reached (and please don't ask me to go into the complications of JAA rulemaking!!!) then the decision will have missed a certain deadline which would prevent the rule change being speedy. It is likely that the diopter limit will be completly removed at a later stage in order to bring certain nations along slowly.
I am unaware if any changes were proposed or discussed to the + diopter issue.
Hope this is of help. I have mentioed before on this forum, if pilots from "certain" countries were to campain to their local medical reps the whole thing could move a lot faster.
I have some info on this one.
There was quite a lively discussion on the subject and full agreement was not reached. Several states wanted to eliminate any diopter restrictions but 3 or 4 states would only agree to increase the limit to 5 diopters for initial issue. As agreement was not reached there has been no change.
A further meeting is scheduled for first week in December at which a decision will be made. The likely outcome will be an increase to 5 diopter for initial issue. If agreement is reached then change is likely to be quick. However, if agreement is not reached (and please don't ask me to go into the complications of JAA rulemaking!!!) then the decision will have missed a certain deadline which would prevent the rule change being speedy. It is likely that the diopter limit will be completly removed at a later stage in order to bring certain nations along slowly.
I am unaware if any changes were proposed or discussed to the + diopter issue.
Hope this is of help. I have mentioed before on this forum, if pilots from "certain" countries were to campain to their local medical reps the whole thing could move a lot faster.
Guest
Posts: n/a
The latest info I have had - direct from the CAA in the form of a letter is that they have extended their limits to +/- 5 diopteres with immediate effect and therefore those that meet this requirement should contact the CAA straightaway. Having said that, I failed my Class One 14 months ago and two weeks ago I passed! This is due to several reasons but the consultant decided I was not a safety issue.
Good luck to all those who are waiting for that Class one, I know how it feels and somedays it would have been easier to give up, however, stick at it and you will get there in the end!
Good luck to all those who are waiting for that Class one, I know how it feels and somedays it would have been easier to give up, however, stick at it and you will get there in the end!
Guest
Posts: n/a
I spoke to the CAA a couple of days ago. They did not confirm that there was definitely going to be a change.
However, they did say that after speaking to one of the medical examiners that there are changes afoot and that they will know more in approximately 2 weeks time.
I am currently just outside the limits, but I have to go to see the CAA opthalmologist in 2 weeks. I have kerataconus in my right eye and need to know whether it will stop me from holding a Class 1 under any new limits or the existing ones after having refractive surgery. So I will definitely find out what is going on then.
However, they did say that after speaking to one of the medical examiners that there are changes afoot and that they will know more in approximately 2 weeks time.
I am currently just outside the limits, but I have to go to see the CAA opthalmologist in 2 weeks. I have kerataconus in my right eye and need to know whether it will stop me from holding a Class 1 under any new limits or the existing ones after having refractive surgery. So I will definitely find out what is going on then.
Guest
Posts: n/a
not wishing to put out the fire or owt - but I had heard that many of the airlines impose their own eyesight rules anyway. So even of you have a class one they can still say you don't meet their standards and therefore not employ you.
Anyone know how much truth there is in this
And while I'm here what a P$%^$£r. I've had laser surgery because I was -3.5 in one eye and -3 in the other. Because of that they wouldn't let me have a class one and despite phoning and asking about ways around the problem no one ever mentioned the 500 hour rule.
PAH !
Anyone know how much truth there is in this
And while I'm here what a P$%^$£r. I've had laser surgery because I was -3.5 in one eye and -3 in the other. Because of that they wouldn't let me have a class one and despite phoning and asking about ways around the problem no one ever mentioned the 500 hour rule.
PAH !
Guest
Posts: n/a
The regs as I understand it are +/- 5 refractive error, +/- 2 astigmatism and +/-2 difference between the eyes.
The +/- 5 refractive has recently changed from +/-3, but I'm wondering if the astigmatism error has changed as well?
I've emailed the CAA medical department, but they may take some time to reply.
The +/- 5 refractive has recently changed from +/-3, but I'm wondering if the astigmatism error has changed as well?
I've emailed the CAA medical department, but they may take some time to reply.
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RAVENX,
You are correct. Lots of major airlines have stricter medical requirements for entry than a Class 1 Medical.
There are several reasons for this but the main ones are:
Loss of Licence Insurance. If the airline provides this cover someone who is close to a medical limit may stray over it later in life. Lots of claims means high policy prices (for the airline)
Cost of Training. You would expect a good return of service if you put someone through a 747 course.
All things are of course relative, if you can recruit pilots well inside medical parameters why take a risk on someone close to the edge? If pilots are in short supply then anyone who meets Class 1 is in.
You are correct. Lots of major airlines have stricter medical requirements for entry than a Class 1 Medical.
There are several reasons for this but the main ones are:
Loss of Licence Insurance. If the airline provides this cover someone who is close to a medical limit may stray over it later in life. Lots of claims means high policy prices (for the airline)
Cost of Training. You would expect a good return of service if you put someone through a 747 course.
All things are of course relative, if you can recruit pilots well inside medical parameters why take a risk on someone close to the edge? If pilots are in short supply then anyone who meets Class 1 is in.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Assram.....you are absolutly spot on with your comments.
That is why the 5 diopter rule change is useless to most people. In general people who are myopic (shortsighted) will get progressively worse throughout their life but are unlikely to reach a level that is uncorrectable to 20/20. Thus if the 5 diopter rule were moved to infinity (as ICAO recommends) then airlines would not care what strength correction you require at the time of employment, because you can not go out side limits later on in life. A myopic and a non-myopic will have the same chance of developing an non-myopic related eye problem which will result in loss of license therefore the myopic will not be discriminated against. Basic logic!!
So the way forward for people like me (with class 1 but just about inside) is for the removal of all limits by the regulatory authorities. This will result in airlines removing their limits (as has happened in the U.S.).
These changes are a small step in the right direction. We just need the dinasours at the CAA to grab the bull by the horns and make a fair and just decision and put this aging issue to bed once and for all!!!
That is why the 5 diopter rule change is useless to most people. In general people who are myopic (shortsighted) will get progressively worse throughout their life but are unlikely to reach a level that is uncorrectable to 20/20. Thus if the 5 diopter rule were moved to infinity (as ICAO recommends) then airlines would not care what strength correction you require at the time of employment, because you can not go out side limits later on in life. A myopic and a non-myopic will have the same chance of developing an non-myopic related eye problem which will result in loss of license therefore the myopic will not be discriminated against. Basic logic!!
So the way forward for people like me (with class 1 but just about inside) is for the removal of all limits by the regulatory authorities. This will result in airlines removing their limits (as has happened in the U.S.).
These changes are a small step in the right direction. We just need the dinasours at the CAA to grab the bull by the horns and make a fair and just decision and put this aging issue to bed once and for all!!!
Guest
Posts: n/a
Just a thought (and please excuse my naïvety) but if you possess a class 1 certificate and an airline refuses to employ you, isn't that a case of discrimination?
BTW, if anyone wants to call Gatwick to find out the intricate details of the eyesight rules, the number is 01293 567171
BTW, if anyone wants to call Gatwick to find out the intricate details of the eyesight rules, the number is 01293 567171