Forum: Future F-16 crew

Wish I would have had this knowledge 13 years ago. All I wanted to do was fly for the AF. I was given the impression, (by who, I don't remember) that I had to have 20/20 uncorrected or else sorry bout your luck. I failed my eye test right before my driver's permit test and I was [Link pending approval] because I couldn't get my permit, but because my hopes for eventually piloting my favorite aircraft were shattered. My fault for giving up so easily. Now I'm just a [Link pending approval] well.

I still get chills every time I see combat plane fly [Link pending approval] usually don't see more than A-10's in my area, but I makes me lament for an old dream. My wife doesn't understand, so I'm going to take her to Andrew's next year for the [Link pending approval]'s been a while since I've been there. I can't wait.

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Don't feel to bad, 13 years ago, we did have to have 20/20 to go to UPT.... It all changed about a year or two after I started UPT.... (of course, now *I'm* a glasses / contact lense wearer...).

"Tally.....something..."

Cylon

tjodalv43 wrote:

They will waiver people who wear glasses up to 20/70 for FARSIGHTEDNESS. You cannot have any nearsightedness, which is what I had.

LOL. OK -- that doesn't make any sense. I've never personally seen the Snellen chart numbers for someone with binoculars for eyeballs, but I can tell you that the fraction "20/70" is indicative of NEARsightedness.

The larger the number at the bottom of that fraction, the larger the letter on the Snellen chart. In other words, you can see at 20' what a "normal" person can see at 70 (you'd be "nearsighted" -- you need to be "closer" to the object in order to see it).

The last time I read anything about this, the USAF will waive corrected vision up to 20/70 (provided your vision is corrected to 20/20). That is for "nearsighted" folks.

Cheers,
Twoop

Bottom line, don't get LASIK as someone else wrote earlier. That is a huge disqualifier, the flap of skin they cut in th eye never fully heals and under G it's possible for it to tear. No such problem in PRK. I'm an AS400 in ROTC and I had PRK at the beginning of the summer. The waver process is not that bad, just talk to you NCOs, they will know what to do. Basically, you just get the surgery, then you have to go back for 1,3,6,and 12 month check ups where they dialiate your eyes and check your vision. Only caution, you must have 1 year between your surgery and when you would go to Brooks for your flying physical. If you can go without great, because you can just get the AF to pay for it on AD. For me, it was the only option and well worth the 3k, as I'm 20/20 and the doc said you can't tell I even had surgery. They best advice anyone can give you will come from your NCOs they know all when it comes to this stuff.

Bottom line, don't get LASIK as someone else wrote earlier. That is a huge disqualifier, the flap of skin they cut in th eye never fully heals and under G it's possible for it to tear. No such problem in PRK. I'm an AS400 in ROTC and I had PRK at the beginning of the summer. The waver process is not that bad, just talk to you NCOs, they will know what to do. Basically, you just get the surgery, then you have to go back for 1,3,6,and 12 month check ups where they dialiate your eyes and check your vision. Only caution, you must have 1 year between your surgery and when you would go to Brooks for your flying physical. If you can go without great, because you can just get the AF to pay for it on AD. For me, it was the only option and well worth the 3k, as I'm 20/20 and the doc said you can't tell I even had surgery. They best advice anyone can give you will come from your NCOs they know all when it comes to this stuff.

best person to talk about this is your instructors, and or, DET Commander. After taking the AFOQT, my instructer noted my scores and asked if I was interested in being a pilot. I said yes, but I had a vision problem. The issue came up later in a disccussion with the Det Commander, and he even gave me all the information I needed to know on PRK surgery in AF. I mean, he actually gave me a whole folder full of information on what I would need to do and AF regulations regarding it. So, talk to your AS instructors, I"m sure they can help you out on that issue.

Newbie Joined: Nov 27, 2007 - 11:32 PM Posts: 5

I found this discussion to be quite appealing, so I thought I might want to ask a question or two as well.

First of all, my name is Cal, I just got glasses a couple weeks ago.
My vision was 20/40 in one eye and 20/50 in the other. I got perscription glasses. Boy, you dont realize how blurry things actually were until everything is clear again.

One day, I hope to be a pilot, to be a pilot I hear 20/20 is required.
First of all, is this true?

Second of all, if not, would I fly with glasses on, or would lasik or prk be necessary. I'll do whatever it takes to get in the pilot's seat.

I know a C-130 pilot that wears some, but what about fighter pilots, I have NEVER seen a fighter pilot wearing glasses.

THANKS TO ALL,
CAL M.

Cal, there are plenty of figher pilots who wear glasses. As stated in the thread, you can have distance vision of up to 20/70 waived if correctable up to 20/20. You would wear glasses. Both PRK and LASIK are now allowed, though I hear the former is the preferred choice. I personally had PRK over 2.5 years ago. I competed for a pilot slot via AFROTC and got one. I went to Brooks for my Flying Class I physical 3 weeks ago, and got my results back 4 days ago and I passed. For those of us not born with 20/20 it can seem like even more of an uphill battle into the cockpit (its already pretty tough!), but with hard work it is very possible. Best of luck to you!

Newbie Joined: Nov 27, 2007 - 11:32 PM Posts: 5

Well thanks, it is and will be tough, congrats on getting that far already.
I am trying to getting into AFROTC right now, I should be hearing something pretty soon. I used to have perfect vision, until I met the PS2 when I was younger, and also all the computer work I do for school does not help. I am trying whatever I can possibly do to preserve my vision, eating healthier also, not eating the sweets/candies.

I am farsighted, which I hope will not affect me, otherwise I have 20/20 vision nearsighted. I just hope nothing will slow me down, especially not my vision. I hear PRK is the better way to go, but I am not doing anything until I get to where you are, just to make sure. I wouldnt want to have an operation and then be disqualified, [Link pending approval]

Thanks for your help.
-Cal

Cal, the standards for near vision are 20/30 correctable to 20/20, but I would definately see an optomitrist who knows the AF standards. The FCI is very detailed so there's never a guarentee. But Brooks isn't out to get you and will help you however they can. And being an optimist, I would say that no matter how the pilot thing turns out its still great being able to see w/o correction!

Forum: Future F-16 crew

AFROTC cadet with glasses