I Have Astigmatism. Can I Still Get My Commercial Pilot License?
February 2, 2010 by admin
Filed under FAQ on advance for astigmatism
hi there, i live in london and im young man with a dream , i want to live as a pilot, recently i read the CAA authorities requirements in medicals and saw the required minimum expectations for the eyes
my left and right eye are 4.75
which my optometrist said is fine for both my class 1 and 2
then came my astigmatism she saw on my left eye its 2.5
my right eye is 1.5
my left exceeded the minimum for my class 1 which is 2
im so scared and worried my dream is all and over and i need to find a way im never gonna give up
i need help from any pilots any eye specialists can my astigmatism be treated???
has anyone done a medical and saw that they aren’t that strict ?
what do i do ?
Refractive surgery can sometimes correct this problem in some people. Otherwise you’ll have to settle for a Class II medical. You can still have a decent flying career, but not flying for an airline. Life often deals us dream-altering stuff that we have to live with. Who knows, maybe it is a gift in disguise. That’s the positive attitude to take. I always wanted to fly for a major airline, but have never made it. 24 years and 15,000 flight hours later, I still regret it a little, but I have had a far more interesting and varied career than most airline pilots have, albeit lower paid.
Don’t worry about it until it’s time to worry about it. Go see the Dr. for your flight physical and keep your mouth shut. If you pass, you can be a pilot, or in the case of US students, your physical card (indicating you’ve passed) in your student pilots license.
Never give them a reason to dig deeper, this holds true in all aspects of life, wife, police, etc.
It’s not immoral or devious, they set the standards, if you pass, you pass.
Medical standards for a Commercial Pilot’s License vary from each country, but unless you undergo corrective surgery and bring your eyesight to 6/6 with or without glasses, I am afraid your dream is over. Please check the medical fitness standards in your country and act accordingly.