I emailed RAF asking do you need 20/20 vision to be a pilot...
They responded with this strange and confusing answer
Dear Tom,
Thank you for your enquiry. The need for glasses or contact lenses may preclude
selection for some branches. The standards for Aircrew are high, particularly
for pilot, and if you require eyesight correction you will not be suitable for
pilot duties. Refractive corrections greater than -7 or +8 dioptres, or a
history of refractive surgery, may preclude selection for service.
What does this mean?
2007-02-13 02:14:08 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Specifically the Refractive corrections part
2007-02-13 02:15:38 · update #1
First, you have to understand that since everyone and thier dog wants to be a pilot, the services can make the restritctions very tight. In Canada, you can miss out on pilot training if your arms aren't the correct length.
What the confusing missive states is that if your eyesight is not good, there are certain jobs in the forces that you cannot hold. Pilots needs really good eyesight. If you wear contacts or eyeglasses - no pilot.
Refractive surgeries are procedures like LASIK or Radial Karetonomy which eleminate or reduce the need for glasses. If you have had LASIK for a minor correction, you may be OK. If your correction was in the range of -7 or +8 diopters (heavy corrections) or you have had multiple LASIK surgeries, you will not become a pilot. This is because you have probably been left with a thin cornea which poses other problems.
Better?
2007-02-13 02:34:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It means you may or may not qualify for being a pilot in the AIr Force. If you have had eye surgery to give you 20/20 surgery you may also be disqualified. Or if you have a refractive eye condition you may not qualify for pilot duty. It all depends. You will never know what you can or cannot do until you start the process. Don't let a recruiter alone tell you no to your answers. The only no you should take should be from a doctor from the MEPS. You will have to have a full physical before joining any branch of the military enlisted or officer. The process for joining any military service is long and detailed, your eyes may not be the only problem you have, but you won't know until you get into the process. Also, don't just say I only want to be a pilot. There are tons of jobs in the military that are as cool if not cooler than being a pilot that you may be able to do even if your dream to be a pilot does not come true. The military is a great life and you will experience things most things would only dream about. Go for it and have a great and exciting life it will be worth jumping in with both feet. Also, check out the Navy and our aviation programs. Both branches offer some great programs. You should have something to compare the Air Force to. You get to make the final decision so don't let a recruiter tell you anything that will scare you off from comparing jobs. They are going ot work hard to get you go choose them, but you want to be informed about your choices. You never know, but you may do 20+ years even if you were only thinking about a 4 year deal. Good luck.
2007-02-13 03:32:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is saying that if you need to wear contacts or glasses this might stop you from being able to join some branches of the military, you need to have very good vision to be a pilot, and if your vision needs to be corrected you will not be eligible to be a pilot. If you have had eye surgery that was to correct for -7 or +8 dioptres, or several refractive surgery's, you will not be able to become a pilot.
2007-02-13 02:25:34 · answer #3 · answered by heavy_cow 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The key is THIS:
"The standards for Aircrew are high, particularly for pilot, and if you require eyesight correction you will not be suitable for pilot duties." That means less that 20/20 and no pilot duties.
The Refractive issue is stating that if your vision is REALLY bad... they won't even take you in the military.
"Refractive Surgery" is Radial-Carototomy or "Lasik" eye surgery... When I was flying, that would ban you from flight duties, and if you have a history of "Lasik" it may prevent you from serving at all.
2007-02-13 03:28:44 · answer #4 · answered by mariner31 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means you can be part of the ground crew and other thing and they'd be happy to have you but to be a pilot there's no way in hell.
Sorry to be that blunt but you have to have 20/20 vision to be a military pilot. I think I told you this once before but I wasn't sure because you were talking about the RAF and I'm in the USA.
2007-02-13 11:35:09 · answer #5 · answered by Kevin A 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most of the time it's among 14 and 18 weeks...my document goes to do it at 18 weeks...i nonetheless am within the wait to uncover out the gender however im definite i will be able to be shock reason we're from side to side always whether or not this is a boy or a lady
2016-09-05 07:52:29 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Basically you can't be a pilot unless you have 20/20 vision.
2007-02-13 02:24:57 · answer #7 · answered by armywifes3lb 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Looks to me like it says that if you need any type of vision correction, you will not be considered for service. Sorry mate.
2007-02-13 02:24:38 · answer #8 · answered by Luca Toni 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you dont have 20/20 or near perfect eyesite, forget about it.
2007-02-13 02:21:57 · answer #9 · answered by dave k 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
y'all can't be no pilot if y'all wears glasses. And even if y'all had 'em fixed, even then maybe not. But you didn't hear that from me...
2007-02-13 02:23:21 · answer #10 · answered by Amy V 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋