Piloting is no doubt a highly prestigious career. The average pilot has to undergo several hours of training and pass a number of tests before he is finally handed a license. But with every prestigious career comes a somewhat unending list of rumors and misconceptions. When it comes to piloting, one common misconception most laymen have is that every pilot is required to have a perfect 20/20 vision before they can fly. But just how true is this? Can pilots wear glasses?
Yes, pilots can most definitely wear glasses. In order to become a pilot, candidates are required to undergo a series of medical tests — of which a vision test is part. Medical test requirements often differ based on the type of pilot license in question. As regards non-military piloting, the most demanding requirements are those needed for a First-Class medical certificate.
In general, the Federal Aviation Authority demands that a First-Class pilot should have 20/20 distant vision, 20/40 near vision, and 20/40 intermediate vision in each eye.
However, the guidelines permit the intending pilot to achieve these figures with correction. Even military pilots are allowed to attain their vision test requirements with the aid of glasses.
So, pilots don’t need to have perfect eyesight after all. But just how bad of eyesight are pilots permitted to have?
In general and commercial aviation, almost any form of correctable vision is acceptable — provided it meets the required numbers in the end. This is however not the case with military aviation. The majority of militaries around the world generally require that all their personnel have no worse than 20/70 vision (for recruits). For the oldest military officers, they are permitted to have 20/400 vision. And these requirements apply to pilots also — even most especially.
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Vision Test Requirements for Commercial and Private Pilots
As earlier mentioned, different pilot categories have different vision and medical requirements. It goes without saying that a 20/20 vision is the most desirable for all categories. But legal regulations make room to accommodate circumstances where this is not achievable naturally.
In order to become either a commercial or private pilot, a candidate must obtain a medical certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) under the supervision of an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME).
The FAA issues three different classes of medical certificates namely First-Class, Second-Class, and Third-Class certificates. Each of these certificates has slightly varying requirements. They also offer different privileges as regards the type of aircraft the holders can fly. Vision test requirements are classified into distant, near, and intermediate vision.
First-Class Medical Certificate (Airline Transport Pilots)
An airline transport pilot is required to have a first-class medical certificate. First-class pilots are the pilots who manage large aircraft and are in charge of decision making on major airliner flights. These pilots need to have very good eyesight as many lives depend on it. The Federal Aviation Authority requires first-class pilots to have:
- At least 20/20 distant vision in each eye separately. This can be achieved with or without corrective lenses. In the case whereby corrective lenses are required, the candidate is only eligible provided the lenses are worn always when he/she is exercising their pilot duties.
- At least 20/40 near vision in each eye separately, as measured at 16 inches (Snellen equivalent). This is also achievable with or without corrective lenses. However, if the candidate is 50 or older, they may have 20/40 near-vision or better at both 16 inches and 32 inches in each eye separately.
- At least 20/40 intermediate vision in each eye separately, also with or without correction. At age 50 or above, the figures are measured at 32inches.
- The ability to perceive all colors necessary for carrying out their airman duties.
- Normal fields of vision without any acute pathological condition in either eye.
A pilot holding a first-class medical certificate must renew their certificates annually.
However, if they are above 40 years of age, they are required to renew their certificates once in 6 months. First-class pilots may also enjoy all the privileges of a second-class certificate.
Second-Class Medical Certificate (Commercial Pilots)
Pilots who are permitted to fly passengers and commercial cargo are called second-class pilots. These pilots often fly on hire basis and cannot fly major scheduled flights.
While a second-class medical certificate has almost the same test requirements as the first-class medical certificate, its holder only needs to renew their certificate once a year regardless of their age. The Federal Aviation Authority requires second-class pilots to have:
- At least 20/20 distant vision in each eye separately. This can be achieved with or without corrective lenses. In the case whereby corrective lenses are required, the candidate is only eligible provided the lenses are worn always when he/she is exercising their pilot duties.
- At least 20/40 near vision in each eye separately, as measured at 16 inches (Snellen equivalent). This is also achievable with or without corrective lenses. However, if the candidate is 50 or older, they may have 20/40 near vision or better at both 16 inches and 32 inches in each eye separately.
- At least 20/40 intermediate vision in each eye separately, also with or without correction. At age 50 or above, the figures are measured at 32inches.
- The ability to perceive all colors necessary for carrying out their airman duties.
- Normal fields of vision without any acute pathological condition in either eye.
A second-class pilot can also take advantage of the privileges of a third-class certificate for a period of 2 years.
Third-Class Medical Certificate (Private Pilots)
Third-class pilots fly aircraft for personal or recreational purposes. A third-class pilot can be a student pilot, recreational pilot, or flight instructor (in the position of a required crewmember).
This type of medical certificate has the least requirements for all categories of pilots. The Federal Aviation Authority requires third-class pilots to have:
- At least 20/40 distant vision in each eye separately. This can be achieved with or without corrective lenses. In the case whereby corrective lenses are required, the candidate is only eligible provided the lenses are worn always when he/she is exercising their pilot duties.
- At least 20/40 near vision in each eye separately, as measured at 16 inches (Snellen equivalent). This is also achievable with or without corrective lenses.
- The ability to perceive all colors necessary for carrying out their airman duties.
- Normal fields of vision without any acute pathological condition in either eye.
No intermediate vision requirements are made for a third-class medical certificate. And third-class medical certificates are valid for a whopping 5 years. However, if the holder is above 40 years of age, they are required to renew it every 2 years.
Vision Test Requirements for Military Pilots
As one would expect, the military requires the strictest standards for all candidates desiring to enroll for Flight Training. The Airforce, Navy and Marine Corps, and Army conduct their medical tests individually. But in general, these military departments require candidates to pass a Class I Flying Physical in order to be admitted.
The Flying Class I is required for candidates to be selected for the Enhanced Flight Screening and Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT). Summarily, eyesight correctable to 20/20 is required for all military departments.
Air Force
In order to become an Air Force pilot, a candidate must have no worse than 20/70 vision without correction. Each eye’s vision must be correctable to 20/20.
Admission into Navigator Training, on the other hand, mandates no worse than 20/200 vision in each eye separately. This must also be correctable to 20/20 vision.
Requirements after completion of flight school are however less strict. Flight Training graduates can remain Pilots and Navigators provided their eyesight doesn’t become worse than 20/400 in each eye and also correctable to 20/20.
Navy and Marine Corps
Due to the fact that the Marines do not have their own medical department, they share the same medical standards and procedures as the Navy. Pilot applicants in the Navy and Marine Corps must have uncorrected vision no worse than 20/40 in each eye.
During flight training, they must have vision no worse than 20/100 in each eye. After completing flight training, if the pilot’s vision becomes worse than 20/200, he/she will need to obtain a waiver so as to embark on carrier operations. Pilots with eyesight worse than 20/400 are restricted to flying aircraft with dual controls. In all four cases, the vision must be correctable to 20/20.
Army
Most Army pilots only fly helicopters. In the Army, a Flight Training applicant can have no worse than 20/50 vision in each eye separately. As usual, this must be correctable to 20/20. Pilots in the Army may remain on active flight status provided their vision never becomes worse than 20/400 (correctable to 20/20).
The military, in general, has become less aggressive in terms of their vision test requirements. This in part is thanks to the new discoveries regarding LASIK surgery which was previously a deal-breaker for intending military pilots. Several years of observation have persuaded the military to start accepting candidates with LASIK-treated eyes.
Can Pilots Wear Lenses?
In all non-military pilot categories, pilots can make use of contact lenses. All mentions of vision correction requirements in the FAA regulations accommodate the use of lenses. However, military departments generally do not admit candidates with lenses.
The rationale behind this is that contacts may pop out under the influence of the high G-forces experienced in combat fighter aircraft. In special cases, militaries may admit contact-wearing applicants and send them for free corrective eye surgery.
Summary
Now that we’ve debunked the myth that pilots must have perfect vision, it is still necessary for prospective pilots to conduct the relevant medical authorities to get the most up-to-date information and guidance. Requirements may sometimes vary in different institutions and countries. But one thing is sure — you most definitely can fly an aircraft in any part of the world wearing glasses.
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