SODA for Class 1 before I begin flight training

flak

Well-Known Member
This is my proposed plan. Will it work, should I change anything, or am I wrong anywhere? After reading up on SODA, it sounds best for me to put in for a class 1 with an AME as I hope to go commercial one day. My left eye corrects between 20/20 to 20/25 but my right eye can't get past 20/25 ever corrected. Obviously I will fail the vision portion. From here, would me AME forward relevant paperwork to OKC for a deferment and then issue me a restricted certificate that allows only for student pilot operations? Do I have to see any other specialists? And then OKC would later tell me to schedule an MFT with the local FSDO? Can I solo with that restricted certificate? And then would my MFT have to also be my checkride or can my MFT and checkride be separate?
 
Ideally, you would find a good AME schedule a non-FAA work-up/consultation and go over your options. You need to know what paperwork will need to be submitted to the FAA so you can have it ready to go at the time of your actual FAA Medical Exam. Generally, you would be unable to fly solo (this includes Sport Pilot) once you take an FAA medical and fail/get deferred. On an FAA medical exam there is only Pass, or Fail. Failure gets deferred to the FAA Aeromedical Division in Oklahoma City.

The Medical Flight Test (MFT) does not need to be part of a check ride for a certificate or rating, though it can be if you choose to and are qualified for the certificate or rating for which you are applying.
Bear in mind that getting approval from the FAA Aeromedical folks for a MFT can take 4-8 weeks and then getting scheduled with your Local FSDO can take 2 to 8 weeks. If your submitted paperwork is incomplete then you have to submit the missing or incomplete items and wait another 4-8 weeks.

If you know you will fail the vision test don't just barely fail it. Your Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA) will be based on the vision deficiency submitted by your AME. Thus if you can only see 20/25 make sure you test 20/40 in case your eyes get worse in the future. ALso a SODA is good for the class issued and below. a second class SODA can not be used for a First class Medical.

There are a lot of pilots out there with First and Second class medicals that have vision less than 20/20 so it can be done. Find an AME that wants to work with you.
 
You could consider a third class medical, with its less restrictive vision requirements,(assuming you could pass) and start your flight training and get your Private license before starting the process to get your First class medical. Then you could train for your instrument rating while waiting for your paperwork to process and use the MFT as an instrument check ride (assuming you meet all the requirements to be eligible for the check ride), at least you would not have to pay for an examiner as MFTs are done by FAA employees.

Note you can fail the Check-Ride and still pass the MFT.
 
Ideally, you would find a good AME schedule a non-FAA work-up/consultation and go over your options. You need to know what paperwork will need to be submitted to the FAA so you can have it ready to go at the time of your actual FAA Medical Exam. Generally, you would be unable to fly solo (this includes Sport Pilot) once you take an FAA medical and fail/get deferred. On an FAA medical exam there is only Pass, or Fail. Failure gets deferred to the FAA Aeromedical Division in Oklahoma City.

The Medical Flight Test (MFT) does not need to be part of a check ride for a certificate or rating, though it can be if you choose to and are qualified for the certificate or rating for which you are applying.
Bear in mind that getting approval from the FAA Aeromedical folks for a MFT can take 4-8 weeks and then getting scheduled with your Local FSDO can take 2 to 8 weeks. If your submitted paperwork is incomplete then you have to submit the missing or incomplete items and wait another 4-8 weeks.

If you know you will fail the vision test don't just barely fail it. Your Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA) will be based on the vision deficiency submitted by your AME. Thus if you can only see 20/25 make sure you test 20/40 in case your eyes get worse in the future. ALso a SODA is good for the class issued and below. a second class SODA can not be used for a First class Medical.

There are a lot of pilots out there with First and Second class medicals that have vision less than 20/20 so it can be done. Find an AME that wants to work with you.

So in order to get a SODA one eye HAS to be 20/20 but the other eye can be whatever? Or can both eyes be slightly deficient?
 
I did 2 MFTs/SODAs, in 2005 for Class 3 then 2013 for Class 1.

Both times I flew with the FAA, separate to a checkride.

As long as you're proficient not a big deal. Just got to get the deferred medical, ophthalmologist report, and then it's FAA paperwork.

Alex.
 
I did 2 MFTs/SODAs, in 2005 for Class 3 then 2013 for Class 1.

Both times I flew with the FAA, separate to a checkride.

As long as you're proficient not a big deal. Just got to get the deferred medical, ophthalmologist report, and then it's FAA paperwork.

Alex.
Thanks. Do you know if an optometrist can fill out the 8500-7 if she is able to confirm I can correct to 20/20?
 
Yes they confirm the correction on the good eye and note the weak one/medical history that caused it. The MFT then confirms you have adapted (depth perception)
 
Yes they confirm the correction on the good eye and note the weak one/medical history that caused it. The MFT then confirms you have adapted (depth perception)
Ok so I can choose either an opthalmologist or an optometrist for the 8500-7? I've gotten conflicting info as to whether an optometrist can fill out the 8500-7. Everyone says an opthalmologist can for sure, but I really like my optometrist.
 
Ok so I can choose either an opthalmologist or an optometrist for the 8500-7? I've gotten conflicting info as to whether an optometrist can fill out the 8500-7. Everyone says an opthalmologist can for sure, but I really like my optometrist.

I'd check with CAMI?
 
The 8500-7 says 'eye specialist' - I'd be interested to know the CAMI suggestion. I used the following guy in '05. Didn't need to resubmit one in '13.

Thanks. Looks like they're optometrists but I'll confirm with CAMI. And what do you mean by no having to resuhmit? When you renewed you didn't need another 8500-7 because you had a SODA and MFT?
 
Thanks. Looks like they're optometrists but I'll confirm with CAMI. And what do you mean by no having to resuhmit? When you renewed you didn't need another 8500-7 because you had a SODA and MFT?

I didn't renew the Soda but decided to upgrade no optomerist form needed but did need another mft
 
I didn't renew the Soda but decided to upgrade no optomerist form needed but did need another mft
Ok so once you have a SODA you don't need a new 8500-7 each year. Just so long as you can show the good eye is still 20/20 to your AME you're good? And then when going up in classes like third to first, the MFT is the only new thing needed again.
 
Ok so once you have a SODA you don't need a new 8500-7 each year. Just so long as you can show the good eye is still 20/20 to your AME you're good? And then when going up in classes like third to first, the MFT is the only new thing needed again.

Absolutely. Go for class 1 from the outset. It never expires though they can withdraw it if they see fit. Make sure you pass the MFT and have the form document the eyesight is stable and you'll be fine.

This is why laser vision treatment can cause issues as the vision has to stabilise.
 
Absolutely. Go for class 1 from the outset. It never expires though they can withdraw it if they see fit. Make sure you pass the MFT and have the form document the eyesight is stable and you'll be fine.

This is why laser vision treatment can cause issues as the vision has to stabilise.
Do you need the 8500-7 filled out before you see an AME or can an AME hold on to your stuff while you get it filled out after if he wants to defer you?
 
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