RAF Eyesight Standards
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RAF Aircrew eyesight requirements
To join the RAF as a pilot or other aircrew do you have to have perfect vision? I used to think this but someone I talked to seemed to think that if you had contacts it might be ok and that the restrictions are not set in stone just like with the CAA where some people can get passed on a medical with not quite up to standard eyesight. Is this true?
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Nominally, you should have uncorrected vision to 6:6 standard. That means you can see at 6 metres what it is assessed the average person with healthy eyes should - 6:5 or 6:4 is better, 6:12 would be unacceptable.
I did hear a rumour that the RAF was considering allowing specs subject to quite strict limits (e.g. no worse than 6:25, with no astigmatism or colour defects). I have no confirmation that this is true, or that it has been acted on.
I suggest you check out the RAF's website and see if the eyesight standards are mentioned. If not, ring them up.
I did hear a rumour that the RAF was considering allowing specs subject to quite strict limits (e.g. no worse than 6:25, with no astigmatism or colour defects). I have no confirmation that this is true, or that it has been acted on.
I suggest you check out the RAF's website and see if the eyesight standards are mentioned. If not, ring them up.
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RAF Eyesight Standards
Hey,
Am currently looking into joining the RAF to do my flight training, so I can ultimately become a commercial pilot!
Anyway, I do have a question regarding to vision, because my eyes aren't perfect - I am fully aware of the fact that I would not be able to fly fighter jets, but would I be able to fly something like a C130J instead?
Or should I just give up on this, and go to flight school?
Over and out!
George
Am currently looking into joining the RAF to do my flight training, so I can ultimately become a commercial pilot!
Anyway, I do have a question regarding to vision, because my eyes aren't perfect - I am fully aware of the fact that I would not be able to fly fighter jets, but would I be able to fly something like a C130J instead?
Or should I just give up on this, and go to flight school?
Over and out!
George
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You cannot join the RAF with poor eyesight - it is only permitted to wear glasses if it develops once you have joined.
Spend your own money and don't waste our taxpayers money!
Spend your own money and don't waste our taxpayers money!
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Originally Posted by mcgoo
why don't you ask in the military forum, i wouldn't mention that you are only joining to get trained for the airlines though!
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Originally Posted by George_08
Hey,
Am currently looking into joining the RAF to do my flight training, so I can ultimately become a commercial pilot!
Anyway, I do have a question regarding to vision, because my eyes aren't perfect - I am fully aware of the fact that I would not be able to fly fighter jets, but would I be able to fly something like a C130J instead?
Or should I just give up on this, and go to flight school?
Over and out!
George
Am currently looking into joining the RAF to do my flight training, so I can ultimately become a commercial pilot!
Anyway, I do have a question regarding to vision, because my eyes aren't perfect - I am fully aware of the fact that I would not be able to fly fighter jets, but would I be able to fly something like a C130J instead?
Or should I just give up on this, and go to flight school?
Over and out!
George
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There is only one eyesight standard for the RAF. There is no difference in eyesight standard for fast jet, transport or helicopter pilots. As Lucifer states, your vision must be 6/6 (20/20) and free of other defects (especially colour blindness) on entry to the RAF. If your eyesight subsequently deteriorated they would not waste the money spent on training, and you would be given glasses - whatever type of aeroplane you flew.
The RAF does not take kindly to those who wish to join simply to get free training on the way to the airlines. It will only recruit those people who are very strongly motivated to join the military out of a sense of adventure, commitment and service of the country. They recognise that many people will not wish to serve their whole lives - especially as priorities change as you mature, but the minimum service they will contract a pilot for is 12 years.
Scroggs
The RAF does not take kindly to those who wish to join simply to get free training on the way to the airlines. It will only recruit those people who are very strongly motivated to join the military out of a sense of adventure, commitment and service of the country. They recognise that many people will not wish to serve their whole lives - especially as priorities change as you mature, but the minimum service they will contract a pilot for is 12 years.
Scroggs
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Scroggs/lucifer,
Where did you find out the eyesight requirements for the RAF? 6/6 is not the same as 20/20 (American system). If the requirement is indeed 6/6 thats excellent news!
Mister-Sheep
Where did you find out the eyesight requirements for the RAF? 6/6 is not the same as 20/20 (American system). If the requirement is indeed 6/6 thats excellent news!
Mister-Sheep
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Those are nominal "figures" that relate to different systems and are used colloquially to mean "normal" vision with no glasses required.
20/20 (feet) vs 6/6 (metres) are indeed different systems and mean different things, but if you have "normal" vision, with no defects and no glasses, you have a good chance.
20/20 (feet) vs 6/6 (metres) are indeed different systems and mean different things, but if you have "normal" vision, with no defects and no glasses, you have a good chance.
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I had my eyes tested and was told i have 6/6. When i looked this up i found a website that said it was the same as 20/20, as like you said lucifer, one is feet the other is metres. I've not yet checked if 20 feet is actually 6 metres though 
Anyway, i also passed my class 1 medical so i hope that means my eyesight is good enough for the RAF too, should i go through with the application, although during the class 1 he did say i'd probably need glasses later in life. I think it was mentioned that together my eyes are fine but individually they're just off fine (but this is ok i think)
When i was on the phone to the RAF advisor, he did ask if i had "perfect vision". I said i did, but then remembered the website i read, saying that perfect vision was actually better than 6/6 or 20/20.
One way to find out, i suppose, and just go for it
Anyway, i also passed my class 1 medical so i hope that means my eyesight is good enough for the RAF too, should i go through with the application, although during the class 1 he did say i'd probably need glasses later in life. I think it was mentioned that together my eyes are fine but individually they're just off fine (but this is ok i think)
When i was on the phone to the RAF advisor, he did ask if i had "perfect vision". I said i did, but then remembered the website i read, saying that perfect vision was actually better than 6/6 or 20/20.
One way to find out, i suppose, and just go for it
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Originally Posted by Mister-Sheep
Scroggs/lucifer,
Where did you find out the eyesight requirements for the RAF? 6/6 is not the same as 20/20 (American system). If the requirement is indeed 6/6 thats excellent news!
Mister-Sheep
Where did you find out the eyesight requirements for the RAF? 6/6 is not the same as 20/20 (American system). If the requirement is indeed 6/6 thats excellent news!
Mister-Sheep
6/6 is indeed the same as 20/20. The only difference is the fact that the RAF use metres and the USA use feet - and the misperception that 20/20 eyesight is 'perfect'. It is not. It means that you can see at 20ft (6 metres) what the average person should be able to see at that distance. There are many other requirements and limits on things like astigmatism and colour perception.
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Ah ok. My apologies scroggs.
Bit confused now, when I went for my class 1 medical I asked how the eyesight measurement system worked. I was told that the first number is always 6 and the lower the second number, the better your eyesight, i.e. 6/5 being excellent and 6/9 being quite poor etc. I am slightly short sighted in my right eye and my prescription read 6/5 left 6/6 right.
Presumably if its 6/6 in both eyes, I exceed the eyesight requirements for the RAF?
Bit confused now, when I went for my class 1 medical I asked how the eyesight measurement system worked. I was told that the first number is always 6 and the lower the second number, the better your eyesight, i.e. 6/5 being excellent and 6/9 being quite poor etc. I am slightly short sighted in my right eye and my prescription read 6/5 left 6/6 right.
Presumably if its 6/6 in both eyes, I exceed the eyesight requirements for the RAF?
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I'm sure i do not have 6/6 in each eye, but that i do in both eyes together. I don't know how this would hold up with the RAF but commercially, it's fine (as i passed the medical)
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Presumably if its 6/6 in both eyes, I exceed the eyesight requirements for the RAF?
There are many other requirements and limits on things like astigmatism and colour perception.
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6/5 (20/16) means that you can see at 6 metres (20ft) what a person with average eyesight should see at 5 metres (16ft). In other words, it's better than average. 6/4 (20/12) is the best normally assessed (i.e. you can read the bottom line of the eyesight chart). 6/9 is slightly shortsighted compared to average. I first wore glasses with my eyes at 6/9 one side and 6/6 the other. I could see perfectly OK for most purposes - and I passed the RAF eyesight test, though I was picked up for inadequate eyesight within a few months of starting flying training. However, the test was a lot less stringent and a lot more subjective than it is now.
Have a look in the Medical forum for more information. You should be able to obtain the full standards required from the RAF, and any high street opticians should be able to confirm whether or not you meet or exceed those standards (unless you have some unusual eye problems). The standards, despite popular rumour, are not particularly high, but they will not compromise on those minimum standards. Unlike me, you won't get in if you don't meet them.
Scroggs
Have a look in the Medical forum for more information. You should be able to obtain the full standards required from the RAF, and any high street opticians should be able to confirm whether or not you meet or exceed those standards (unless you have some unusual eye problems). The standards, despite popular rumour, are not particularly high, but they will not compromise on those minimum standards. Unlike me, you won't get in if you don't meet them.
Scroggs
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I have been down this route before! I knew i couldnt join the RAF, but one day an RAF officer told me its rubbish and my weaker eyess would not allow me to fly fast jets but i could fly Cargo or Helis? So i go off and apply only to be sent down to earth as they said, you cant apply to be a pilot, we can see you have poor eyes, only 20/20 will do. This was also backed up when i asked at FLY at Earls Court.
Another thing is, you cant choose what aircraft you fly, or even if you fly in the RAF from what i have been told by RAF Carears. They asses you and tell you what you will fly, or even if you will fly. This might be wrong but it seems that way from the many RAF people i have talked to and what i have learnt from 5 years in the Cadets.
I honestly think it depends who you speak to, but if the RAF are NOW taking people with poor eyes, then i will be the first one up the office to sign up and take my chances of been chosen to fly... Save all my ATPL confusion...
Another thing is, you cant choose what aircraft you fly, or even if you fly in the RAF from what i have been told by RAF Carears. They asses you and tell you what you will fly, or even if you will fly. This might be wrong but it seems that way from the many RAF people i have talked to and what i have learnt from 5 years in the Cadets.
I honestly think it depends who you speak to, but if the RAF are NOW taking people with poor eyes, then i will be the first one up the office to sign up and take my chances of been chosen to fly... Save all my ATPL confusion...
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Originally Posted by George_08
Hey,
Am currently looking into joining the RAF to do my flight training, so I can ultimately become a commercial pilot!
Anyway, I do have a question regarding to vision, because my eyes aren't perfect - I am fully aware of the fact that I would not be able to fly fighter jets, but would I be able to fly something like a C130J instead?
Or should I just give up on this, and go to flight school?
Over and out!
George
Am currently looking into joining the RAF to do my flight training, so I can ultimately become a commercial pilot!
Anyway, I do have a question regarding to vision, because my eyes aren't perfect - I am fully aware of the fact that I would not be able to fly fighter jets, but would I be able to fly something like a C130J instead?
Or should I just give up on this, and go to flight school?
Over and out!
George
Im afraid the british RAF eye sight requirements are the same across the board.
Its something i had first hand experiecne of in 2000. I was a FSC at 642 VGS RAF Linton On Ouse, i failed my eye sight element of the medical to progress the training from I.U.T to G-1. At that time i was looking foward to a career in aviation and the RAF. I checked with the SMO and he confirmed that the requirements were pretty much uniform across the board.
That left my RAF career in tatters. Im still wanting to get back into aviation, but unfortuntely due to the eyes, my options are severely restricted. I can do a restricted PPL, and thats it. Outside of that, its a question of microlights, gliding, hand-gliding etc.
Joe
Last edited by ZH-127; 12th Jul 2006 at 09:31.