Sunday, January 6, 2013

What are the eye requirements for becoming a fighter pilot?

Q. I want to join the marine corp. or Navy as a fighter pilot but I don't know what the eye requirements are. my prescription is about -1 in both eyes. Could that prevent me from becoming a fighter pilot? If not which one should I join out of the 2.

A. To enter flight training, a candidate must pass a Flight Class I Flying Physical. To become a pilot, that means the candidates vision can be no worse than 20/70 (correctable with glasses to 20/20) in each eye. To enter Navigator Training, the candidate can have vision no worse than 20/200 in each eye (also must be correctable to 20/20).

After flight school, the standards relax a little. Pilots and Navigators who have already graduated flight training, can remain fliers as long as their vision doesn't deteriorate beyond 20/400 in each eye (correctable to 20/20).

Normal depth perception and color vision is required.

Effective May 21, 2007, applicants who have had LASIK eye surgery are no longer automatically disqualified from flight training.

The Navy and the Marine Corps use the same standards (The Marines do not have their own medical department. They use the Navy for all medical procedures and standards). Navy Pilots must pass a Class I Flying Physical. To become a pilot in the Navy or Marine Corps, an applicant's uncorrected vision can be no worse than 20/40 (correctable to 20/20) in each eye. Once flight training begins, vision can deteriorate to no worse than 20/100 (correctable to 20/20) in each eye. After flight training graduation, if the eyesite deteriorates worse than 20/200 (must be correctable to 20/20), the pilot will require a waiver for carrier operations. If the vision deteriorates past 20/400 (correctable to 20/20), the pilot is restricted to aircraft with dual controls (ie, aircraft with co-pilots).

For Navigators (called "NFOs" or "Navy Flight Officers"), there is no vision requirement to enter flight training. However, the Navigator's vision must be correctable to 20/20 and there are limits on refraction. Refraction must be less than or equal to plus or minus 8.00 sphere in any meridian and less than or equal to minus 3.00 cylinder. No more than 3.50 anisometropia. After flight training, to continue on flight status there is no limit on refraction for NFOs. No waivers are authorized for NFO applicants who exceed these refraction limits.

Normal color vision is required for both NFOs and pilots. Normal depth perception is required for pilots and pilot applicants.

The Navy allows laser eye survery, both for current pilots and NFOs, and for pilot/NFO applicants, if they apply for, and are accepted to participate in the Navy's on-going study about laser eye surgery for aviators.


Should I get Lasik Eye Surgery to correct my nearsightedness?
Q. Ive been wearing glasses ever since i was 10 years old. I dont like wearing glasses so I want to get the Lasik surgery. But Ive been told that this operation is very dangerous. Can I get some advice from people who have had this surgery or maybe an eye doctor?

A. I had PRK done a month ago which is basically LASIK without the cutting. Most of the dangers of LASIK come from cutting the "lasik flap". This is why I got PRK instead.

From what I know.. the Lasik flap never completely heals so this makes your eyes weaker and more vulnerable to injury for life. Creating the flap severs nerves that help produce tears which can cause dry eyes. The most important thing to remember is LASIK is NOT reversible so any complications will likely be life long. Also.. with Lasik.. there is always a chance of complications down the road, like cataracts or worst vision, even if you are fine for the first few years. All of this is RARE.. but you need to know its possible.

You should also do lots of research and talk to people who have had it done. The lasik surgeons will down play the risks as much as possible to avoid scaring you. I did lots of research before seeing a surgeon and I was surprised by the relaxed attitude they had.

Make sure you talk to people who have actually had it done and not just people who work at the Lasik office.

If you decide on PRK.. know that it will be a longer recovery and you will not see well for about 2 weeks. Still it is much safer because once your eyes heal they are healed! This is the surgery of choice for many athletes and people who play contact sports because of the safety.

Make sure you do your research on all the procedures available as well as all the surgeons in your area. These are your EYES. Also expect to pay around $4,000 to $5,000 for both eyes. You will also have to use drops for several months after the surgery. I'm still using drops today.

Still.. I love my results and I love not having to wear glasses or contacts. Its awesome.

Good luck and be careful.


Does laser eye surgery disqualify you from being a military pilot?
Q. I have done some reading about some pilot programs in a few of the military branches. I came across something interesting that stated: If you have had laser eye surgery in the past, you are disqualified from becoming a pilot. Is this true?

My next question is, if it is in fact true, why would that disqualify you? Laser eye surgery can correct your vision back to 20/20 and that's what pilots are suppose to have correct? So wheres the logic in that?

A. Army (Rotary Wing)
The Army has very few fixed-wing aircraft. The vast majority of Army pilots are helicopter pilots. Army Aviators must pass a Flight Class I Flying Physical. To enter Army Helicopter Flight Training, as either a commissioned officer or warrant officer, the applicant can have vision no worse than 20/50 (correctable to 20/20) in each eye. After flight training, pilots can remain on flight status as long as their vision does not deteriorate beyond 20/400 (correctable to 20/20).

Normal depth perception and normal color vision is required.

Like the other branches, it is possible to apply for Army Flight Training and/or remain on flying status with laser eye surgery, if one is accepted into the Army's Aviator Laser Eye Surgery Study Program.

Air Force
To enter flight training, a candidate must pass a Flight Class I Flying Physical. To become a pilot, that means the candidates vision can be no worse than 20/70 (correctable with glasses to 20/20) in each eye. To enter Navigator Training, the candidate can have vision no worse than 20/200 in each eye (also must be correctable to 20/20).

After flight school, the standards relax a little. Pilots and Navigators who have already graduated flight training, can remain fliers as long as their vision doesn't deteriorate beyond 20/400 in each eye (correctable to 20/20).

Normal depth perception and color vision is required.

Effective May 21, 2007, applicants who have had LASIK eye surgery are no longer automatically disqualified from flight training. See related article.


Navy and Marine Corps
The Navy and the Marine Corps use the same standards (The Marines do not have their own medical department. They use the Navy for all medical procedures and standards). Navy Pilots must pass a Class I Flying Physical. To become a pilot in the Navy or Marine Corps, an applicant's uncorrected vision can be no worse than 20/40 (correctable to 20/20) in each eye. Once flight training begins, vision can deteriorate to no worse than 20/100 (correctable to 20/20) in each eye. After flight training graduation, if the eyesite deteriorates worse than 20/200 (must be correctable to 20/20), the pilot will require a waiver for carrier operations. If the vision deteriorates past 20/400 (correctable to 20/20), the pilot is restricted to aircraft with dual controls (ie, aircraft with co-pilots).

For Navigators (called "NFOs" or "Navy Flight Officers"), there is no vision requirement to enter flight training. However, the Navigator's vision must be correctable to 20/20 and there are limits on refraction. Refraction must be less than or equal to plus or minus 8.00 sphere in any meridian and less than or equal to minus 3.00 cylinder. No more than 3.50 anisometropia. After flight training, to continue on flight status there is no limit on refraction for NFOs. No waivers are authorized for NFO applicants who exceed these refraction limits.

Normal color vision is required for both NFOs and pilots. Normal depth perception is required for pilots and pilot applicants.

The Navy allows laser eye survery, both for current pilots and NFOs, and for pilot/NFO applicants, if they apply for, and are accepted to participate in the Navy's on-going study about laser eye surgery for aviators.

Hope this helps


Can you still be a Fighter Pilot if you get Lasik eye surgery?
Q. It's been my life-long dream to become a fighter pilot but my eye-sight isn't the best... But I've read somewhere that if you don't have 20/20 vision you can still be able to become a Fighter Pilot if you correct your vision with Lasik eye surgery... I reallyyyy hope this is true but do any of you guys know if it is is?
Oh and just in case you're wondering i'm 17.
P.S. I want to go into the Marine Corps.

A. There's actually a variation between branches (Air Force, Navy/Marine Corps) and what you want to fly. You'd best check with a recruiting officer for both the Air Force and Navy (USMC fighter pilots function and train along the same lines as the Navy, and their standards are very similar).

To be honest, even if they do accept you with sub-par vision, getting an Advanced Strike slot in the Navy/Marine Corps is hard as it is with so many candidates who have clean bills of health and perform above and beyond the grade.

Once again, check. It depends on the branch you're looking at and what you intend to fly.





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