problem.....maybe!
 

Hello everyone!

i have just had a preliminary eye test in france and the optometrist, who is an approved ame for the french caa told me that because i have an uncorrectable amblyopia (lazy) in my right eye, i would be refused a french class one medical.

he told me that the bristish caa would more than likely refuse me also. he said that it was a real shame because my left eye is 6/6, my binocular vision is 6/6 and all of the other tests he did on both eyes were perfect!

can anyone tell me why this amblyopia is a problem. even the optometrist agreed that it is a little unfair.

is there any way around this?

please help - i'm gutted at the moment.

Wayne

You can get an FAA medical and apply for a SODA (Statement of Demonstrated Ability)

May be a bit of hassle to organise as it requires you to do a flight tests with an FAA examiner which will likely have to happen in the States.

The CAA also allows monocular folks to fly but there where quite stringent restrictions associated with that (as in no pax etc) but that was pre JAR when I last looked into that for a patient of mine, not sure if that still is the case under JAR.

Best thing to do is give them a ring and hear it from the horse's mouth.

Good luck

Thanks!

I have tracked down an FAA ame at Le Bourget and apparently, she is aproved to do a class one. i will be talking to her later today and will let you know what hapened.

Wayne

Bonne Chance!

FD

Hi wayne,

sorry to hear about your problem. I have exactly the same condition as you, where one eye is 6/4 and the other is myopic to -2.5D. The UK initial only allows you 2D of difference in prescription between your eyes, so if my good eye was worse, I would pass ! Sick eh ? Anyway, I was denied a Class 1 last year, but found out that if you hold a foreign CPL or higher licence when you apply for a JAA Class 1 the examination is to "extended renewal" standards, which for the case of a lazy eye, means you can have up to 3D of difference. I would advise that you find out what the difference in prescription is between your eyes - this may be a possibility. NB : as far as I know, the UK is the only JAR country to offer this loophole, so you may have to travel to gatwick. You should check out the CAA website as well.


I will be returning to gatwick with my shiny canadian CPL before the end of the year, so I can let you know how it goes.

Best of luck

divorcingjack