Esophoria/Binocular Vision - stuck somewhere mid-Atlantic

[Pilot72]

Good Evening,

I've gotten my private ticket (JAA) and despite a healthy quotient of common sense I can't allow the ambition of professional flying to die without a fight. Here's my quandry.

I have esphoria and my alternating fixation. My esophoria is 10 pd. While JAR will allow 10pd esophoria, "an applicant with significant defects of binocular vision shall be assessed as unfit"

So my problem is this - JAR requires me to have binocular vision and FAR requires me to have 6pd esophoria - where do I go from here. Arrg.

In real world terms, because my brain has always suppressed one eye's image I've never encountered diplopia, nor am I ever likely to under any circumstance. I mean, who ever heard of the brain developing skills under stress ... I should say, I can use either eye I just tend to supress the weaker one.

Do you know whether it would be possible get around the esophoria/binocular vision issue to achieve an FAA Class 1? Do you perhaps know the reasoning for us Europeans requiring binocular vision. I'd like to be able to make a case for the JAR class 1, but I'll take an FAA class 1 if they'll have me

Btw my accuity is 6/10 and 6/5 uncorrected- so that won't be an issue with a prescription.

Regards,
Pilot72

 

[My Flight Surgeon]

Re: Esophoria/Binocular Vision - stuck somewhere mid-Atlanti

The FAA limit is 6 diopters but it is really noit disqualifying. You just need to submit a Form 8500-7 (Report of Eye Specialist) with the medical. If you have monocular vision, they require the 8500-7 and will give you authorization to take a Medical Flight Test at a FSDO.

Problem solved

 

[Pilot72]

Re: Esophoria/Binocular Vision - stuck somewhere mid-Atlanti

Thank you. So there's hope then.

Do you if there there are any FSDOs outside the US? The other thing is, what do they do in a Medical Flight Test? We don't have anything that useful over here!!

...(an after-thought).... assuming, I were signed off... is that a straight sign-off or is there sort of commentary on the medical?

Pilot72

 

[My Flight Surgeon]

Re: Esophoria/Binocular Vision - stuck somewhere mid-Atlanti

There are International Field Offices in London http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/field_offices/ifo/lon_ifo/ and in Frankfurt http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/field_offices/ifo/fra_ifo/ . They may allow you take the MFT there.

The MFT is a flight test where the examiner will ride right seat and determine if you can safely judge distance and land the airplane. Pretty simple.

 

[Pilot72]

Re: Esophoria/Binocular Vision - stuck somewhere mid-Atlanti

Thank you. Assuming, I were signed off... is that a straight sign-off or is there sort of commentary on the medical?

Thanks again,
Pilot72

 

[My Flight Surgeon]

Re: Esophoria/Binocular Vision - stuck somewhere mid-Atlanti

Straight sign off. They will probabpy issue a SODA for monocular vision. Never have to do it again.