Can i be a pilot with glasses
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: New Braunfels, TX
Age: 70
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Interesting. Things may have changed, but certainly when I was going through the process laser surgery was a definite 'No No!' - it was stated on the qualification criteria that no applicants would be accepted with corrective laser surgery.
Of course, that was a while ago and no doubt procedures and success rates have improved so maybe not the issue it once was.
Of course, that was a while ago and no doubt procedures and success rates have improved so maybe not the issue it once was.
A number of RAF FJ colleagues have had the procedure KenV refers to above. I believe they all paid privately for the laser procedure and attended Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, all utilising the services of the same world renowned eye surgeon.
On each occasion (that I am aware of), these guys were in a ground tour at the time of the procedure. Whilst USAF / USN rules allow their pilots to be flying again within a matter of weeks, RAF medical rules require something in the order of 6 months before a valid med cat can be re obtained.
Please do not go to your local opticians that may be offering a special '2 for 1 deal' - you'll invariably end up getting the wrong type of operation (LASIK vs LASEK?) and it'll be performed by someone who has little knowledge of the exacting military medical requirements.
Also, please do not try and have the procedure performed on the QT - I'm told it's very easy to spot individuals that have had laser eye surgery with the correct equipment. So if anyone was thinking about having the procedure before IOT and trying to claim they've never had it done - that would be a very unwise course of action.
On each occasion (that I am aware of), these guys were in a ground tour at the time of the procedure. Whilst USAF / USN rules allow their pilots to be flying again within a matter of weeks, RAF medical rules require something in the order of 6 months before a valid med cat can be re obtained.
Please do not go to your local opticians that may be offering a special '2 for 1 deal' - you'll invariably end up getting the wrong type of operation (LASIK vs LASEK?) and it'll be performed by someone who has little knowledge of the exacting military medical requirements.
Also, please do not try and have the procedure performed on the QT - I'm told it's very easy to spot individuals that have had laser eye surgery with the correct equipment. So if anyone was thinking about having the procedure before IOT and trying to claim they've never had it done - that would be a very unwise course of action.
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Often in Jersey, but mainly in the past.
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One of my less-riveting tasks at MoD in the early 90s was staffing a paper on "Contact Lenses for Aircrew". Not sure whether it related to 'on entry' or a subsequent need. One aspect, IIRC, was that the user had to carry a pair of corrective specs as well, in case a contact lens went walkabout.
One of my less-riveting tasks at MoD in the early 90s was staffing a paper on "Contact Lenses for Aircrew". Not sure whether it related to 'on entry' or a subsequent need. One aspect, IIRC, was that the user had to carry a pair of corrective specs as well, in case a contact lens went walkabout.
I joined without glasses (managed to squint through the eye test) .. issues with glasses through training .. progressed to lens after about 5 years.. they were fantastic and neither glasses or lens made any different for the 4000 hrs fast jet I accumulated (apart from the few AR5 trips which were thankfully seldom, but awkward). Had trips in F16 and M2000, no problem under high G.. lens were way better, but I reverted to bifocal glasses after about 20 years as long sight improved .. it's a huge misnomer and a way for recruiters to thin out potentially candidates..!! Just my view..!
Just my view..!
Maybe it is just my lenses that are keep popping out. While they don’t seem to have hampered your flying though, as has been said before surely they would have limited your ability to escape and evade, no? And if you had been captured, unless your captors were decent enough to provide you with cleaning lens solution you would have quickly become as useful in any escape attempt as Donald Pleasence in The Great Escape.
I see what you did there.
Maybe it is just my lenses that are keep popping out. While they don’t seem to have hampered your flying though, as has been said before surely they would have limited your ability to escape and evade, no? And if you had been captured, unless your captors were decent enough to provide you with cleaning lens solution you would have quickly become as useful in any escape attempt as Donald Pleasence in The Great Escape.
Maybe it is just my lenses that are keep popping out. While they don’t seem to have hampered your flying though, as has been said before surely they would have limited your ability to escape and evade, no? And if you had been captured, unless your captors were decent enough to provide you with cleaning lens solution you would have quickly become as useful in any escape attempt as Donald Pleasence in The Great Escape.
While the entry eyesight standards were high for the RAF, the subsequent testing and monitoring of aircrew eyesight left a lot to be desired. I can recall 2 mid air collisions with Coningsby based jets that were down to less than adequate eyesight......
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Often in Jersey, but mainly in the past.
Age: 79
Posts: 7,809
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I joined without glasses (managed to squint through the eye test) .. issues with glasses through training .. progressed to lens after about 5 years.. they were fantastic and neither glasses or lens made any different for the 4000 hrs fast jet I accumulated (apart from the few AR5 trips which were thankfully seldom, but awkward). Had trips in F16 and M2000, no problem under high G.. lens were way better, but I reverted to bifocal glasses after about 20 years as long sight improved .. it's a huge misnomer and a way for recruiters to thin out potentially candidates..!! Just my view..!
One point regarding contact lenses and spare spectacles - consider if one lens falls out/is lost or gets dust contamination - then the other lens has to be also removed before putting on the spectacles otherwise one becomes monocular! Not so easily done in a hurry or when wearing gloves.
One point regarding contact lenses and spare spectacles - consider if one lens falls out/is lost or gets dust contamination - then the other lens has to be also removed before putting on the spectacles otherwise one becomes monocular! Not so easily done in a hurry or when wearing gloves.
