why do pilots need 20-20 vision? if they use glasses or contact lenses, they can see as well as someone with 20-20 vision.
2006-07-30 06:23:47 · 8 answers · asked by yahoo 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
i think its an unfair rule, because its hard enough to find an adult with 20-20 vision these days, PLUS they have to be good at driving an airplane
2006-07-30 06:30:04 · update #1
I found this satement on the net: "Do pilots have to have 20/20 vision? No ... the military prefer 20/20 vision or better, some airlines hire pilots with up to 20/100, correctable to 20/20"
From what I see it seems like lasik or implants are what corrects the vision to 20/20. I see pilots around with sunglasses but I don't know if they use those while they fly, so I could not say honestly that they can wear glasses that correct their eyesight when they are in flight.
I figure they need 20/20 vision so they can duck birds, not hit another plane head-on, can see if someone is tailing them, can see if another plane is too close to them, or can see if something has happened to another pilot in anothr plane, or can spot a flying saucer (?). I would imagine looking thru clouds would be difficult (glare, grey).
2006-07-30 06:37:09 · answer #1 · answered by sophieb 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) wrote guidelines for the health giudelines for various jobs, and the mandate is that commercial pilots must have uncorrected 20/20 vision.
This rule leaves out any possibility that a plane crash could be blamed on a forgotten pair of glasses or a torn contact etc.
2006-07-30 13:28:06 · answer #2 · answered by Stuart 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they could lose their glasses or contacts in the event of very rough skies or some sort of other emergency.
EDIT: The Air Force, however, is very happy to provide pilots-in-training with PRK (similar to lasik) free of charge to improve their vision, and PRK recipients are cleared to fly.
2006-07-30 13:26:46 · answer #3 · answered by Brian L 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would think they can see but they are using some thing to correct their vision. What if something happens if their contact falls out or their glasses break, they can no longer see.
2006-07-30 13:28:51 · answer #4 · answered by Grandpa Shark 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ever been up in a jet?
believe me they can't have anything but 20/20.. contact don't do well, glasses get in the way..
it's safer.. especially since pilots love to drink and fly.
2006-07-30 13:26:31 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just in case their contacts or glasses get lost or broken
2006-07-30 13:26:33 · answer #6 · answered by Enterrador 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess its for if they lose there glasses or they break??
2006-07-30 13:26:36 · answer #7 · answered by SummerRain Girl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They may forget or break their visual aid.
2006-07-30 13:28:05 · answer #8 · answered by helixburger 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋