Perfect Vision for Aircrew Applicants
The eyesight standards when I applied were 6/6 for FW pilots, 6/12 for observers and 6/18 for helicopter pilots. As mooted already, it was surmised that the reduced HSP standard was to allow those perceived as otherwise capable to become part of the flying elite 
I have recently tried contact lenses as an option, but as they haven't the ability to give as sharp a correction as prescription glasses plus have shown to be difficult to fit one of my eyes, I've given up on the idea. The first attempt had me riding home on the motorbike with one lens off the middle of my eye with commensurate blurring of vision. I wouldn't have liked that when flying
I have recently tried contact lenses as an option, but as they haven't the ability to give as sharp a correction as prescription glasses plus have shown to be difficult to fit one of my eyes, I've given up on the idea. The first attempt had me riding home on the motorbike with one lens off the middle of my eye with commensurate blurring of vision. I wouldn't have liked that when flying
Out of interest is permanent correction via intraocular lenses an option. Perhaps two benefits.... No need for contact and no need for cataracts when they keep you all in to man the p8.
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@ John Eacott ... Ah, yes, the 6/18 rings a bell! Curiously, I never wore/needed specs subsequently ... although I now find reading glasses helpful on occasion.
@ melmothtw ... Well, the subject had been grinding on with trials for some years when the papers landed on my desk in about 1991. Usefully, one of my colleagues in MB had been a trial participant. No major issues had been identified during previous trials, but the Medics wanted to embark on a further 5-year trial with an even wider pool of test subjects. ACAS was of the view that this had gone on long enough, and been adequately evaluated, and at some point after my departure it was clearly signed off by the AFB. Clearly, at this remove, I can't recall any of the details of the pros and cons.
@ melmothtw ... Well, the subject had been grinding on with trials for some years when the papers landed on my desk in about 1991. Usefully, one of my colleagues in MB had been a trial participant. No major issues had been identified during previous trials, but the Medics wanted to embark on a further 5-year trial with an even wider pool of test subjects. ACAS was of the view that this had gone on long enough, and been adequately evaluated, and at some point after my departure it was clearly signed off by the AFB. Clearly, at this remove, I can't recall any of the details of the pros and cons.
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Willard,
<<<Local optician, quite by chance, is called Memory.>>
If the Memory Opticians is the same one in Wiltshire I went to, Mammary opticians would have been more appropriate! My new specs became steamed up up on issue....
<<<Local optician, quite by chance, is called Memory.>>
If the Memory Opticians is the same one in Wiltshire I went to, Mammary opticians would have been more appropriate! My new specs became steamed up up on issue....
Surely not the Memory opticians in Amesbury; there was nothing worth steaming up from what I remember (no pun intended).
I got my glasses in BFTS and it wasn't until TWU where the sweat would drop onto the lenses where it became an issue; one skull cap later the prob was solved. That said, the glasses of the 80s and 90s were far from flattering, particularly for an aircrew ego and the phrase of 'better dead than bad' springs to mind.
Referring to the earlier post of Section Officer Harvey; I never really saw the attraction but that said, I went to develop an unending quest for female PBX operators so perhaps it was a subconscious yearning....?
I got my glasses in BFTS and it wasn't until TWU where the sweat would drop onto the lenses where it became an issue; one skull cap later the prob was solved. That said, the glasses of the 80s and 90s were far from flattering, particularly for an aircrew ego and the phrase of 'better dead than bad' springs to mind.
Referring to the earlier post of Section Officer Harvey; I never really saw the attraction but that said, I went to develop an unending quest for female PBX operators so perhaps it was a subconscious yearning....?
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I know of a candidate (who was on my CBAT sitting) who passed his medical/ophthalmic test for WSOp albeit with specs!
I certainly hope this doesn't come across ignorant by any means, but say in the case of a WSOp candidate (with specs) passing his generic at 45(R) - would the specs potentially hinder rotary compared with another candidate who doesn't require corrective eyewear?
Best regards.
I certainly hope this doesn't come across ignorant by any means, but say in the case of a WSOp candidate (with specs) passing his generic at 45(R) - would the specs potentially hinder rotary compared with another candidate who doesn't require corrective eyewear?
Best regards.
Gentleman Aviator
Max
Which reminds me....
I'm sure I've told this story before on here, but it always warms my heart (and other organs
) to retell it.
Many years ago - even before the BoB film - young APO Teeters was Orderly Officer at an FTS somewhere on the A46 ......
As ever, I was well looked after by the Orderly Sgt. One item on the Duties list was something like: 2200 - Call Commcen/PBX in advance of inspecting [certain documents].
Come 10 o'clock, we aproach Commcen .....
APO Teeters: Aren't we supposed to have 'phoned first?
OS: Trust me Sir, this is the way to do it.
On entering the Commcen/PBX, there were 5 or 6 young WRAFs having a brew (Duty WRAF, Commcen and PBX overnight shifts were all bunked in the Commcen), and frying bacon (hmmmmmmm ) on a little electric ring.
In those days, WRAF No 2 skirts were of the same "hairy mary" (no pun intended!) material as the then battledress, so skirts had all been removed for comfort ...
..... and of course this was before tights were common ....
Nice little PBX WRAF: Hello Sir, want a brew? Or a bacon butty?
If you can imagine Section Officer Harvey being improved upon, just think of her, with 4 or 5 similarly attired chums, making you a bacon butty ......
I never really saw the attraction but that said, I went to develop an unending quest for female PBX operators
I'm sure I've told this story before on here, but it always warms my heart (and other organs
) to retell it.Many years ago - even before the BoB film - young APO Teeters was Orderly Officer at an FTS somewhere on the A46 ......
As ever, I was well looked after by the Orderly Sgt. One item on the Duties list was something like: 2200 - Call Commcen/PBX in advance of inspecting [certain documents].
Come 10 o'clock, we aproach Commcen .....
APO Teeters: Aren't we supposed to have 'phoned first?
OS: Trust me Sir, this is the way to do it.
On entering the Commcen/PBX, there were 5 or 6 young WRAFs having a brew (Duty WRAF, Commcen and PBX overnight shifts were all bunked in the Commcen), and frying bacon (hmmmmmmm ) on a little electric ring.
In those days, WRAF No 2 skirts were of the same "hairy mary" (no pun intended!) material as the then battledress, so skirts had all been removed for comfort ...
..... and of course this was before tights were common ....Nice little PBX WRAF: Hello Sir, want a brew? Or a bacon butty?
If you can imagine Section Officer Harvey being improved upon, just think of her, with 4 or 5 similarly attired chums, making you a bacon butty ......
Teeters,
I certainly recall one PBX operator dressed somewhat similar to said section officer, or at least she was after I'd read the signal....
Oh, and the facetious comments from the OS with "there seems to be a lot of signals tonight sir"; " yes, doesn't there just...."
I certainly recall one PBX operator dressed somewhat similar to said section officer, or at least she was after I'd read the signal....
Oh, and the facetious comments from the OS with "there seems to be a lot of signals tonight sir"; " yes, doesn't there just...."
Many year ago at a station in Norfolk I was in the drama group (another member was an RN pilot, Wedge Thorpe, who had been a few years ahead of me at school). There was only one changing room, and one of our number was a very pretty WAAF, ISTR from the Comcen. Having seen this young lady down to bra, knickers, stockings and suspenders (I was a very young plt off), a couple of nights later I was OO and she was on restrictions. 2200 parade and she turned up looking like she had slept in her uniform. The look in her eyes was "you have seen me in my undies and I dare you to do anything about how I look now". Deep breath, and to Orderly Sgt - "SACW Bloggs will be back here at 2300 for your inspection." I suspect I had a very red face too.
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All together now ...
"In olden days a glimpse of stocking
Was looked on as something shocking
Now heaven knows ... anything goes"
"In olden days a glimpse of stocking
Was looked on as something shocking
Now heaven knows ... anything goes"
Gentleman Aviator
And not just a "glimpse of stocking" MPN.
"If driving fast cars you like,
If low bars you like,
If old hymns you like,
If bare limbs you like,
If Mae West you like
Or me undressed you like,
Why, nobody will oppose!
When every night,
The set that's smart
Is intruding in nudist parties in studios,
Anything Goes."
I do so like thread drift ......... eyesight standard to Cole Porter lyrics! Classic.
"If driving fast cars you like,
If low bars you like,
If old hymns you like,
If bare limbs you like,
If Mae West you like
Or me undressed you like,
Why, nobody will oppose!
When every night,
The set that's smart
Is intruding in nudist parties in studios,
Anything Goes."
I do so like thread drift ......... eyesight standard to Cole Porter lyrics! Classic.
Avoid imitations
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But Section Officer Harvey may also have contributed to blindness in some ........
