Med. Declined, but, wait? ... I tested BETTER than last time

88MPH

88MPH

Addicted voyeur
I have a 1st class med from 2005, with a "waiver" for lazy eye. My eyes tested 20/20 and 20/200.

I just went to the ophthalmologist and tested 20/15 and 20/70, and was denied a 2nd class medical.

Um, hello?

Lets just say, AT&T network has its hands full today with all the phone calls I am making.

WOW am I steamed about this! Especially after waiting damn near two years and getting my application dropped twice, and having an entire year go by without hearing ANYTHING.
 
Re: Med. Declined, but, wait? ... I tested BETTER than last

I know you are probably way ahead of me, so I'm sorry if this seems like a stupid question.

Did you inform anyone that you had a vision waiver on your existing medical? They kept telling everyone at my PEPC that the ATC medical is a BRAND NEW medical application, and you need to list every single detail. Maybe in attempting to issue you a completely new medical certificate they overlooked the fact that you had already jumped through all the hoops to get a waiver before.

Or, maybe you need to go through all the same BS to get another waiver that is specific to the ATC medical?
 
Re: Med. Declined, but, wait? ... I tested BETTER than last

Do they give vision waivers for ATC. The FAA requires you to have 20/20 vision in both eyes. It seems you don't meet that requirement?
 
Re: Med. Declined, but, wait? ... I tested BETTER than last

Here are the vision standards for the ATC medical...

ATCS MEDICAL QUALIFICATION STANDARDS
Air Traffic Control Personnel - Series GS2152

INITIAL EMPLOYMENT
Applicants for initial appointment to air traffic control specialist positions must comply with the following requirements:
Eye
(1) The applicant must demonstrate: Distant visual acuity of 20/20 in each eye separately, without correction, or distant visual acuity of 20/200 or better in each eye separately, with correction to 20/20 in each eye. Glasses or contact lenses are permitted.
(2) The applicant must demonstrate: Near visual acuity of v=.50 (or equivalent according to table of equivalent scale) or better in each eye separately without correction or near visual acuity of v1.25 or better in each eye separately, with correction to v=.50 in each eye. Glasses or contact lenses are permitted.
(3) An applicant who must utilize both glasses and contact lenses to demonstrate acceptable near and distant vision is disqualified.
(4) The applicant must demonstrate normal color vision.
(5) The applicant must demonstrate normal central and peripheral fields of vision.
(6) If any medication is routinely required for control of intraocular tension, the applicant is disqualified.
(7) The applicant must demonstrate no hyperhoria or hypophia greater than one prism diopter.
(8) The applicant must demonstrate no esophoria greater than six prism diopters.
(9) The applicant must demonstrate no exophoria greater than six prism diopters.
(10) If examination, including tonometry, of either eye or adnexa reveals any form of glaucoma or cataract formation, uveitis, or any other acute or chronic pathological condition that would be likely to interfere with proper function or likely to progress to that degree, the applicant is disqualified.
(11) An applicant under any form of treatment for any chronic disease of either eye is disqualified.
(12) The applicant must demonstrate full range of motion of external ocular muscles.
 
Re: Med. Declined, but, wait? ... I tested BETTER than last

jeffm1999 said:
Here are the vision standards for the ATC medical...

ATCS MEDICAL QUALIFICATION STANDARDS
Air Traffic Control Personnel - Series GS2152

INITIAL EMPLOYMENT
Applicants for initial appointment to air traffic control specialist positions must comply with the following requirements:
Eye
(1) The applicant must demonstrate: Distant visual acuity of 20/20 in each eye separately, without correction, or distant visual acuity of 20/200 or better in each eye separately, with correction to 20/20 in each eye. Glasses or contact lenses are permitted.
(2) The applicant must demonstrate: Near visual acuity of v=.50 (or equivalent according to table of equivalent scale) or better in each eye separately without correction or near visual acuity of v1.25 or better in each eye separately, with correction to v=.50 in each eye. Glasses or contact lenses are permitted.
(3) An applicant who must utilize both glasses and contact lenses to demonstrate acceptable near and distant vision is disqualified.
(4) The applicant must demonstrate normal color vision.
(5) The applicant must demonstrate normal central and peripheral fields of vision.
(6) If any medication is routinely required for control of intraocular tension, the applicant is disqualified.
(7) The applicant must demonstrate no hyperhoria or hypophia greater than one prism diopter.
(8) The applicant must demonstrate no esophoria greater than six prism diopters.
(9) The applicant must demonstrate no exophoria greater than six prism diopters.
(10) If examination, including tonometry, of either eye or adnexa reveals any form of glaucoma or cataract formation, uveitis, or any other acute or chronic pathological condition that would be likely to interfere with proper function or likely to progress to that degree, the applicant is disqualified.
(11) An applicant under any form of treatment for any chronic disease of either eye is disqualified.
(12) The applicant must demonstrate full range of motion of external ocular muscles.
Click to expand...

wouldn't #12 disqualify an applicant with a lazy eye? maybe I'm misunderstanding...
 
Re: Med. Declined, but, wait? ... I tested BETTER than last

@#12 I have full range of motion with my right (lazy) eye.

Just spoke with the doc in FAA southern region. Apparently there are no waivers for <20/20 in ATC. Apparently I can fly a 777 with 20/200, but can't tell them which way to turn with 20/70.

What a waste after damn near two entire years of NEVER (literally) getting any if my calls returned from ANYONE in the FAA, trying desperately to get a job I know I can do to give my family some decent medical coverage and some sense of financial stability, spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars going to testing, interviews, PEPC, and all the fake hope that goes along the way.

This aviation thing is turning out to be nothing but a huge ing curse.
 
Re: Med. Declined, but, wait? ... I tested BETTER than last

88MPH said:
@#12 I have full range of motion with my right (lazy) eye.

Just spoke with the doc in FAA southern region. Apparently there are no waivers for <20/20 in ATC. Apparently I can fly a 777 with 20/200, but can't tell them which way to turn with 20/70.

What a waste after damn near two entire years of NEVER (literally) getting any if my calls returned from ANYONE in the FAA, trying desperately to get a job I know I can do to give my family some decent medical coverage and some sense of financial stability, spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars going to testing, interviews, PEPC, and all the fake hope that goes along the way.

This aviation thing is turning out to be nothing but a huge ing curse.
Click to expand...


That really SUX!!
 
Re: Med. Declined, but, wait? ... I tested BETTER than last

88MPH said:
I have a 1st class med from 2005, with a "waiver" for lazy eye. My eyes tested 20/20 and 20/200.

I just went to the ophthalmologist and tested 20/15 and 20/70, and was denied a 2nd class medical.

Um, hello?

Lets just say, AT&T network has its hands full today with all the phone calls I am making.

WOW am I steamed about this! Especially after waiting damn near two years and getting my application dropped twice, and having an entire year go by without hearing ANYTHING.
Click to expand...

ive never heard of that,if i were you try calling all the flight surgeons in the other regions and see what they say about the question,unless they all agree your getting the FFA run around.
 
Re: Med. Declined, but, wait? ... I tested BETTER than last

Does anyone know how long the medicals last?
 
Re: Med. Declined, but, wait? ... I tested BETTER than last

if it's like the pilots, first class is 6 months... second class is 2 years (i think) and 3rd class is 5 years....
 
Re: Med. Declined, but, wait? ... I tested BETTER than last

ponyb7 said:
Does anyone know how long the medicals last?
Click to expand...

If you're under 40, ATC medicals are good for 2 years. After 40, they're good for 1 year.

Even if you're a pilot, you have to have a separate medical for flying. ATC medicals are not valid for flight privileges.
 
Re: Med. Declined, but, wait? ... I tested BETTER than last

88MPH said:
@#12 I have full range of motion with my right (lazy) eye.

Just spoke with the doc in FAA southern region. Apparently there are no waivers for <20/20 in ATC. Apparently I can fly a 777 with 20/200, but can't tell them which way to turn with 20/70.

What a waste after damn near two entire years of NEVER (literally) getting any if my calls returned from ANYONE in the FAA, trying desperately to get a job I know I can do to give my family some decent medical coverage and some sense of financial stability, spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars going to testing, interviews, PEPC, and all the fake hope that goes along the way.

This aviation thing is turning out to be nothing but a huge ing curse.
Click to expand...

Uhmmmm KINDA. Yes you need to be able to pass the test 20/20 but this can be done with or without correction. So if you put on the glasses and pass the test what is the problem?
 
Re: Med. Declined, but, wait? ... I tested BETTER than last

hudson26 said:
Uhmmmm KINDA. Yes you need to be able to pass the test 20/20 but this can be done with or without correction. So if you put on the glasses and pass the test what is the problem?
Click to expand...

Uncorrectable.
 
Re: Med. Declined, but, wait? ... I tested BETTER than last

I hate to sound callous, but I find it hard to believe you're actually surprised by this. You were well aware of your vision problems before you began the process. You knew your vision could not be corrected to 20/20.

The ATC requirements clearly state that 20/20 vision is required, corrected or uncorrected with no exceptions.
 
Re: Med. Declined, but, wait? ... I tested BETTER than last

mbalunda said:
I hate to sound callous, but I find it hard to believe you're actually surprised by this. You were well aware of your vision problems before you began the process. You knew your vision could not be corrected to 20/20.

The ATC requirements clearly state that 20/20 vision is required, corrected or uncorrected with no exceptions.
Click to expand...

I think what he's upset about is that he was able to either get a waiver or SODA for his pilot's 1st Class Medical, but is not able to do so for the ATC medical. Technically, the requirements for a 1st Class are more stringent that the 2nd class that the ATC requirements are based upon.

According to the regs, 20/20 vision is also required to get a 1st Class Medical. However, if you do not meet that requirement and you can demonstrate that you can still perform adequately as a pilot, the FAA will grant you a waiver or SODA. This allows you to receive the medical certificate, even though you do not meet the stipulated requirements in the regs.

However, as you mentioned, this option is not available for an ATC medical.

Also, as an aside, I believe they've dropped the distant uncorrected requirements. I don't remember even having my uncorrected vision tested at the PEPC.
 
Re: Med. Declined, but, wait? ... I tested BETTER than last

Sorry to hear that..... I didn't realize you vision was uncorrectable. I'm afraid I can't offer much encouragement....

To the poster who said a 1st class is more stringent.... I don't think one is more stringent than the other... they are just tailored differently in certain areas. It is a common misconception that being able to obtain one will lead to the other... :(
 
Re: Med. Declined, but, wait? ... I tested BETTER than last

hudson26 said:
Sorry to hear that..... I didn't realize you vision was uncorrectable. I'm afraid I can't offer much encouragement....

To the poster who said a 1st class is more stringent.... I don't think one is more stringent than the other... they are just tailored differently in certain areas. It is a common misconception that being able to obtain one will lead to the other... :(
Click to expand...

The reason a first class is more stringent is that it is the medical required to act as PIC of an airliner. Any other commercial operations only require a 2nd class. Thus, if you hold a 1st class medical, you are assumed to meet the requirements of and exercise the privileges of a 2nd and 3rd class medical certificate. This is strictly for flight medicals that pilots are required to have in addition to their pilots license.

The higher level medicals also downgrade to lower levels after a certain amount of time. If you are over 40, a 1st class medical reverts to a 2nd class after 6 months, then to a 3rd class after another 6 months. If under 40, your 1st class reverts to a 3rd class after 1 year. Hence, the OP's frustration that he is able to receive a 1st class medical, but not the ATC one.

However, the ATC medical is a different beast altogether, which is why those of us with valid class 1 or 2 physicals have to apply for the ATC one. Even though the form is the same and we mark Class 2 on the application, it is not a true 2nd class medical, and it is not valid for flight privileges. The valid durations are also different than the flight physicals. So like you said, even if you can qualify for a 1st or 2nd class flight medical, you may not be able to qualify for the ATC one.
 
Re: Med. Declined, but, wait? ... I tested BETTER than last

According to the regs, 20/20 vision is also required to get a 1st Class Medical. However, if you do not meet that requirement and you can demonstrate that you can still perform adequately as a pilot, the FAA will grant you a waiver or SODA. This allows you to receive the medical certificate, even though you do not meet the stipulated requirements in the regs.
Click to expand...
This is the exact situation I am in. I have a 1c with a SODA. Even that was a HUGE PITA.

However, as you mentioned, this option is not available for an ATC medical.
Click to expand...

Which I thought it would be, which is what pisses me off the most.

even if you can qualify for a 1st or 2nd class flight medical, you may not be able to qualify for the ATC one.
Click to expand...

...and that makes absolutely NO sense.
 
Re: Med. Declined, but, wait? ... I tested BETTER than last

They should call it something else, since they really have nothing to do with each other.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top