I have a few more questions about my medical certificate. Summer season is right around the corner and that means banner towing for me. My medical downgrades to a 3rd class in a few months so its time for me to get my 1st class medical reinstated. I have a few concerns with regard to my eyesight. I have just been fitted with a new set of RGP contacts that give me 20/15 vision in my right eye and 20/20 - 20/25 in my left eye, missing a few letters here and there. I have been reading a lot lately that instead of a SODA, you now could get a letter of authorization by filling out an 8500-7 form which makes an exception to some rules. What are the chances that I will get this letter approved and how long does the process take. By filling out the 8500-7 form and having it approved, will that put a record on my medical certificate such as a waiver? Reason that I ask is because the regional airlines that I would like to fly for some day don’t take on pilots with any waivers or limitations placed on their medical certificate, therefore I am looking for an alternative method in getting a medical certificate that will be devoid of any waivers, just in case the AME will say that my left eye is not good enough to pass according to 1st class standards. I was also informed that if you in fact do fail, you have the option of taking the 8500-7 form to your own optometrist and have him fill it out that form saying that you do undeniably have 20/20 in both eyes. If that’s so, than what are the chances the FAA will go with your own optometrist’s word against the AME’s and issue you a 1st class with no waivers that the airlines could see?
ANOTHER VISION QUESTION ?
- Thread starter Sebastian
- Start date
My Flight Surgeon
Sr. Aviation Medical Examiner
Actually, the 8500-7 supercedes the AME's eye exam. It is more thorough and is more than a screening exam.
The Letter of Evidence is not on your medical, you possess it and present it to the AME when you get a medical. There is no number like there is with a SODA.
I would see if you have 20/20 with glasses and take the medical with glasses instead of contacts. (You could wear the contacts after you get the medical)
The Letter of Evidence is not on your medical, you possess it and present it to the AME when you get a medical. There is no number like there is with a SODA.
I would see if you have 20/20 with glasses and take the medical with glasses instead of contacts. (You could wear the contacts after you get the medical)
Actually I cant pass with my glasses because I have keratoconus so glasses don’t do much as far as improving my vision. But let me make sure I understand what you are saying. By having the 8500-7 form filled out at my eye institute by my optometrist confirming that I do have 20/20 vision in my left eye supercecedes the eye exam that I would have to take with the AME. Meaning as long as I have the 8500-7 form with me, filled out by my own eye doctor, I don’t have the take a vision test on my next visit to my local AME to obtain my 1st class medical. Also does the 8500-7 form filled out by my optometrist, has to be mailed out to the FAA before I go in for my first class medical evaluation or do I just take it straight to the AME after my visit with my eye doctor. If it does have to be mailed out to the FAA prior to my visit to the AME, how long does the process take for the FAA to approve my evaluation with my own optometrist? And lastly by having the 8500-7 form filled out with an indication that I do have only 20/25 in my left eye and 20/20 in my right eye, does that constitute as a waiver by the FAA upon approval for my first class with the 8500-7? Meaning if the airlines ask me if I have any waivers on my 1st class medical, could I say no even thought I have 20/25 in one of mine eyes with a 1st class with a 8500-7 form filled out and approved by the FAA.
My Flight Surgeon
Sr. Aviation Medical Examiner
1. The 8500-7 should suipercede the AME's eye exam (assuming the 8500-7 is less than a month old). If the optometrist does all of the elements required on the 8500-8 (near, distant, intermediate if applicable, color vision, visual fields, and phorias, then the AME should not have to repeat those parts of the exam. He must note that the values he submits are from the 8500-7 and send the 8500-7 with the 8500-8 to OKC.
2. You take the 8500-7 to the AME unless you want to send it in ahead of time to get a letter of exception for the vision of less than 20/20 in one eye. If you don't have the letter from the FAA, the AME will have to defer your First Class medical to the FAA.
3. The 8500-7 is NOT a waiver. A Letter of Exception, a SODA or a Special Issuance from the FAA is the "waiver".
4. Whether or not you have a "waiver" will depend on what the FAA issues. If it is a SODA, then that is what is commonly referred to as a waiver. THe Letter of Exception is not a waiver per se. A Special Issuance is a waiver.
Hope that helps
2. You take the 8500-7 to the AME unless you want to send it in ahead of time to get a letter of exception for the vision of less than 20/20 in one eye. If you don't have the letter from the FAA, the AME will have to defer your First Class medical to the FAA.
3. The 8500-7 is NOT a waiver. A Letter of Exception, a SODA or a Special Issuance from the FAA is the "waiver".
4. Whether or not you have a "waiver" will depend on what the FAA issues. If it is a SODA, then that is what is commonly referred to as a waiver. THe Letter of Exception is not a waiver per se. A Special Issuance is a waiver.
Hope that helps