Question about Air Force pilots and vision qualifications

djmoon1988

djmoon1988

Well-Known Member
Hi everyone,

I was just wondering what the Air Force's policy on vision requirements and LASIK surgery were. I plan to attend AFROTC during my years at graduate school and hopefully get a pilot training slot. Listed here, are the medical qualifications for pilots as described on the AFROTC website:

Pilot


  • Normal color vision
  • Distant vision: Uncorrected 20/70, but corrected to 20/20
    Near vision: Uncorrected 20/30, but corrected to 20/20
  • Meet refraction, accommodation and astigmatism requirements
  • Corrective eye surgery could be a disqualifier
  • Have no history of hay fever, asthma or allergies after age 12
  • Meet Air Force weight and physical conditioning requirements
  • Have standing height of 64 to 77 inches and sitting height of 34 to 40 inches

Now, my vision is 20/70 which is the absolute minimum for people applying for pilot slots. Will the Air Force still prefer people with 20/20 vision, thus narrowing my chances of snagging a pilot training slot? (assuming that my test scores and the test scores of other applicants are generally the same)

If by any chance I DO get selected, I'm assuming the Air Force will send me to an Air Force doctor to receive LASIK surgery before I begin pilot training. Even still, I've heard that getting LASIK surgery from the Air Force is a process that may take a LONG time, is this correct? What does an Air Force officer that is selected for pilot training do while hes waiting for the many months to receive LASIK surgery from an Air Force doctor? Or does the Air Force officer who is selected for pilot training get priority for LASIK surgery?

Lets say I don't get selected because the Air Force preferred the candidates with 20/20 over my 20/70 vision, and instead I get put in the role of a Combat Systems Officer or an Air Battle Manager or a non rated position. Will the Air Force also require me to get LASIK surgery as a CSO or ABM? Will I ever be able to apply for a pilot training slot ever again?

I've emailed these same exact questions to my recruiter which I've been in contact with for quite some time but hes taking a while to answer, which I don't blame him.

This is a really really long series of questions that I'm that may seem confusing and even convoluted. But still if any of you guys are able to answer these question I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks
 
Re: Question about Air Force pilots and vision qualification

Distant vision is waiverable up to 20/200 without much hassle.
 
Re: Question about Air Force pilots and vision qualification

The air force now allows PRK (preferred over LASIK) however you have to wait one year after the surgery before your allowed to take your initial physical at Brooks. I had the surgery done with great success (I was 20/400) and I shouldn't have any obstacles medically when applying to reserve squadrons. I haven't heard of the Air Force paying for surgery for anyone. If your only 20/70 your probably fine to get a waiver but if your really interested in surgery shoot me a PM and I can give you some more information.

Good Luck and happy flying!

Tim
 
Re: Question about Air Force pilots and vision qualification

frog_flyer said:
Distant vision is waiverable up to 20/200 without much hassle.
Click to expand...

That's good news for me. My vision may have deteriorated a little more than 20/70 in the past few years. If you don't mind me asking, how do you know this?
 
Re: Question about Air Force pilots and vision qualification

ukwildcatpilot said:
The air force now allows PRK (preferred over LASIK) however you have to wait one year after the surgery before your allowed to take your initial physical at Brooks. I had the surgery done with great success (I was 20/400) and I shouldn't have any obstacles medically when applying to reserve squadrons. I haven't heard of the Air Force paying for surgery for anyone. If your only 20/70 your probably fine to get a waiver but if your really interested in surgery shoot me a PM and I can give you some more information.

Good Luck and happy flying!

Tim
Click to expand...

Nice to hear that. Are you currently a member of the USAF? Do you plan to fly in the reserve squadrons you mentioned?

I thought that the USAF did provide LASIK surgery for individuals in the Air Force. The Joint Warfighter Refractive Surgery Center at Lackland Air Force Base was designed for that purpose I think. I could be wrong though.

Would a waiver for 20/70 vision mean that I wouldn't have to have LASIK surgery? I don't think I could fly with 20/70 vision (its quite blurry), so would that mean the Air Force would allow me to wear glasses or soft contacts while performing flying duties?

Thanks again
 
Re: Question about Air Force pilots and vision qualification

djmoon1988 said:
Now, my vision is 20/70 which is the absolute minimum for people applying for pilot slots. Will the Air Force still prefer people with 20/20 vision, thus narrowing my chances of snagging a pilot training slot? (assuming that my test scores and the test scores of other applicants are generally the same)
Click to expand...

The selection board will never see you're medical records or MEPS physical paperwork so they'll have no idea if you're within regs or not, that's something for you recruiter to work before submitting an app. I can't speak for ANG/RES units as the process is a little different, though as long as you're within limits I don't see a problem.

djmoon1988 said:
If by any chance I DO get selected, I'm assuming the Air Force will send me to an Air Force doctor to receive LASIK surgery before I begin pilot training.
Click to expand...

They won't, as Hacker mentioned.

djmoon1988 said:
Would a waiver for 20/70 vision mean that I wouldn't have to have LASIK surgery? I don't think I could fly with 20/70 vision (its quite blurry), so would that mean the Air Force would allow me to wear glasses or soft contacts while performing flying duties?
Click to expand...

As long as you're 20/70 and correctable to 20/20 then you shouldn't need a wavier. The AF will allow you to wear contact lenses or glasses while flying, I know a couple of guys that do.
 
Re: Question about Air Force pilots and vision qualification

Superfly7XAF said:
They won't, as Hacker mentioned.



As long as you're 20/70 and correctable to 20/20 then you shouldn't need a wavier. The AF will allow you to wear contact lenses or glasses while flying, I know a couple of guys that do.
Click to expand...


You mean as ukwildpilot mentioned, because Hacker said: "The AF will pay for it for personnel who are all ready rated"

But glasses? really? that just blows my mind. Does that apply to all aircraft such as fighter jets too? or only cargo transport?
 
Re: Question about Air Force pilots and vision qualification

djmoon1988 said:
You mean as ukwildpilot mentioned, because Hacker said: "The AF will pay for it for personnel who are all ready rated"

But glasses? really? that just blows my mind. Does that apply to all aircraft such as fighter jets too? or only cargo transport?
Click to expand...

As Hacker said they "will pay for it for personnel who are [already] RATED", and judging from what you wrote you're not a RATED officer yet and won't be until you complete SUPT. Just my opinion, but I wouldn't count on getting any kind of corrective surgery after being commissioned to become eligible for a pilot slot. The timeline and circumstances probably wouldn't be in your favor.

And as far as flying with glasses, I pretty sure any Cargo/Airlift pilot can but not 100% sure about Fighter/Bomber airframes, maybe just contacts. Apparently U-2 pilots can and in BCG style:

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Re: Question about Air Force pilots and vision qualification

djmoon1988 said:
You mean as ukwildpilot mentioned, because Hacker said: "The AF will pay for it for personnel who are all ready rated"
Click to expand...

"Rated" means done with UPT and wearing wings.

djmoon1988 said:
But glasses? really? that just blows my mind. Does that apply to all aircraft such as fighter jets too? or only cargo transport?
Click to expand...

Yes, you can wear glasses (or contacts) in any aircraft.
 
Re: Question about Air Force pilots and vision qualification

I wear the bad ass black frame issued corrective lenses.

Panties drop and they have to put out "CAUTION WET FLOOR" below the ladies whenever I go out pimpin' the frames.
 
Re: Question about Air Force pilots and vision qualification

frog_flyer said:
I wear the bad ass black frame issued corrective lenses.

Panties drop and they have to put out "CAUTION WET FLOOR" below the ladies whenever I go out pimpin' the frames.
Click to expand...


Oh snap. Point taken :beer:
 
Re: Question about Air Force pilots and vision qualification

Honestly, if you have 20/40 vision like I do, you could get away with never wearing corrective lenses.

I always wear mine, but I know people that wear their own glasses, and I'm sure there are those that don't wear their corrective lenses when they're required to.

I personally think I'd fly better if I didn't have to wear glasses. I wouldn't have to worry about them fogging during engine start (no airflow anywhere, I'm looking down), or them getting sweat/grease/etc on them. I love seeing drops of sweat fly across my field of vision in the pattern. :whatever:
 
Re: Question about Air Force pilots and vision qualification

Well my question about LASIK surgery and all related stuff is pretty much obsolete since most of you are saying that glasses/contacts are allowed. Because glasses and contacts can be worn by pilots operating aircraft, there's no need for me to get LASIK or PRK because I'd rather just stick with glasses and contacts (assuming I pass other medical tests like refraction, astigmatism, etc.). I actually already passed a Class I flight physical but it was done by a civilian doctor so it may mean something, or it may mean nothing.

Hell I just remembered. On Long Island, there's an airshow at Jones Beach every summer. Two summers (or three?) ago , before my friends and I went to the airshow, we stopped at Dunkin and Donuts. Inside the busy little doughnut shop, a man with a gray flight suit with the words "F-22 Demonstration Team" on his back was sitting there sipping coffee with other pilots. He was wearing glasses.
 
Re: Question about Air Force pilots and vision qualification

frog_flyer said:
Honestly, if you have 20/40 vision like I do, you could get away with never wearing corrective lenses.

I always wear mine, but I know people that wear their own glasses, and I'm sure there are those that don't wear their corrective lenses when they're required to.

I personally think I'd fly better if I didn't have to wear glasses. I wouldn't have to worry about them fogging during engine start (no airflow anywhere, I'm looking down), or them getting sweat/grease/etc on them. I love seeing drops of sweat fly across my field of vision in the pattern. :whatever:
Click to expand...

Too true. I currently have a student pilot license and I actually had to pass the controls to my instructor once because I had to wipe the sweat off my glasses. Its awful. I'm going to get a pair of contacts ASAP.
 
Re: Question about Air Force pilots and vision qualification

When you are in ROTC your detachment is going to send you to get a DoDMERB physical. After that is done they will tell you if you are pilot qualified. Then much later you will apply for the pilot slot, and since you already did the DoDMERB they know that your vision is within regs.
 
Re: Question about Air Force pilots and vision qualification

The G-Man said:
When you are in ROTC your detachment is going to send you to get a DoDMERB physical. After that is done they will tell you if you are pilot qualified. Then much later you will apply for the pilot slot, and since you already did the DoDMERB they know that your vision is within regs.
Click to expand...

and then once you get a pilot slot you will have to go get a flight physical where they do more in depth vision tests, blood work, etc. from the Air Force
 
Re: Question about Air Force pilots and vision qualification

Hacker15e said:
The AF will pay for it for personnel who are all ready rated.
Click to expand...

This may have been the policy in the past, but is no longer true. I know a few non-rated officers who have had PRK/LASIK with at a USAF treatment center under the USAF's bill. Looks like rated still have priority for the surgery, but I've been inquiring about it and it doesn't seem like there will be much of a wait.

Here's the info: http://airforcemedicine.afms.mil/id...ea=RS_USAF&doctype=subpage&docname=CTB_070655
 
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