Vision correction

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I would like to apply to the air force academy when the time comes but the problem is I have a vision worse then required for upt. Does that mean it is over for me or is there a way to correct before I apply. If yes, would they consider someone with corrected vision?
 
If you are talking about laser surgery, its risky for pilots because it tends to mess up your night vision, and that is usually uncorrectable once its been done. It works great as long as your ability to see in the dark is not a major concern. For pilots its more of an issue. According to the AF website having had surgery "may" be disqualifying, and I read that to mean that if it messed up your vision, its a no go. The above mentioned natural strengthening methods might be a better idea. Either way, if you get it so that you can pass the eye exam without corrective lenses, you're in.
 
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I would like to apply to the air force academy when the time comes but the problem is I have a vision worse then required for upt. Does that mean it is over for me or is there a way to correct before I apply. If yes, would they consider someone with corrected vision?

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Corrected vision (glasses, contacts) are not disqualifying for the Air Force Academy.
 
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If yes, would they consider someone with corrected vision?

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REmember, the Air Force isn't all pilots. there are plenty of people with corrected vision!!!
 
But I would only join the air force if I could become a pilot.
 
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But I would only join the air force if I could become a pilot.

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Then, my advice is that you probably shouldn't join the Air Force. There's a lot that can happen between when you come in and successful completion of UPT, and if you aren't committed to being an officer first and a pilot second, you shouldn't consider the military option.

My $0.02 worth...
 
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But I would only join the air force if I could become a pilot.

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Then, my advice is that you probably shouldn't join the Air Force. There's a lot that can happen between when you come in and successful completion of UPT, and if you aren't committed to being an officer first and a pilot second, you shouldn't consider the military option.

My $0.02 worth...

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Oh, Copa...you and that silly idealism!!! What's next, a service commitment??
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Oh, Copa...you and that silly idealism!!! What's next, a service commitment??
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I worked with a lot of guys who didn't complete UPT for whatever reason and spent all their time resentful of being "stuck" and "downgraded" into a job that I proudly volunteered for and served in.

If you don't pass UPT, you are in for a LONG four-year world of hurt if you aren't committed to being an officer.

Even if you have pilot slot in hand and are on your first day of UPT, you better have a backup plan for what you will do if you don't make it through. And I know a few pilots who had many of their ratings and still couldn't make it through UPT.

With vision correction issues, they sometimes grant waivers, but these are largely dependent on which way the wind blows. It ebbs and flows, and a lot can happen during four years at the Academy. Prior to Desert Storm, they were handing out waivers left and right. After Desert Storm, they started dropping pilot slots and any waiver was almost unheard of. Guys who had a pilot slot their junior year had it yanked away their senior year.

But don't forget that service commitment: 10 years after UPT, and 4 years no matter what.
 
Off course I would be loyal to my officer dutties. I wouldn't join the air force exactly because of being a pilot. I like the air force, but don't want to join and do something I am not interested, when I could be doing something as a civillian that I like. I want to join the military, but only if I get a pilot slot.
 
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I want to join the military, but only if I get a pilot slot.

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My suggestion is to not join the Air Force, then. Even as a pilot, on an active flying tour, you will perform many hours of office work that have no direct relation to flying. And it is almost certain that, some time in your career, you will have a 3 year tour where you aren't flying at all. Combine that with the 30% average washout rate from UPT (ie you have roughly a 1/3 chance of spending 4 years doing something the military picks for you instead of graduating and spending 10 years as a pilot). Based on what I have read on your posts, I don't think you would enjoy a military career, flying or not.
 
"If you are talking about laser surgery, its risky for pilots because it tends to mess up your night vision"

Excuse me? I've had Lasik and was able to do my night freight job then next day...though I took a week off for good measure. It's been over a year and I've met several guys at my airline who have had lasik with no problems. Can you tell me what you base your opinion on? I base mine on the fact that I've had it done and it was the best 2 grand I ever spent....
 
I didn't say it happens in every case. Actually the statistic I heard said that there was only somthing like a 5% chance tht you'd have night vision problems, but for me 5% would be a pretty big gamble.
 
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". . .its risky for pilots because it tends to mess up your night vision . . ."


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Then you said

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" . . the statistic I heard said that there was only somthing like a 5% chance tht you'd have night vision problems . . .".


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According to the dictionary, however . . .

tend
PRONUNCIATION: AUDIO: tnd KEY
INTRANSITIVE VERB: Inflected forms: tend·ed, tend·ing, tends
1. To have a tendency: paint that tends toward bubbling and peeling over time.
2. To be disposed or inclined: tends toward exaggeration.
3. To move or extend in a certain direction: Our ship tended northward.

5% isn't exactly a tendency!!!

Just woke up being a dork.....haven't flown for a while and it's killing me!!!!
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Well, I suppose the dictionary won't call it a tendency, but for me, when its my carrer on the line, it enough of a tendency to detur((sp?)please don't look it up) me.

mtsu_av8er, I suggest you go flying soon.
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mtsu_av8er, I suggest you go flying soon.
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Oh, how things change....back in the swing of things now and I've walked myself into an add-on CFI checkride this weekend 400 miles away....
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I didn't say it happens in every case. Actually the statistic I heard said that there was only somthing like a 5% chance tht you'd have night vision problems, but for me 5% would be a pretty big gamble.

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Well perhaps instead of posting things you hear, you could only post things you know.

Or you could just use this disclaimer: "I really have no idea what I'm talking about, but I'm posting this anways...."

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Okay.......

I don't have any definate proof if its true or not, but I've heard/read in numerous sources that it can cause problems with night vision. I suppose since I don't have a bibliography to refer you to its not valid for purposes of discussion on an Internet Forum? But perhaps for those that it might be applicable to they should do some research and look into my claims for themselves anyway, because you shouldn't believe everything you read on the Internet.

Anyway, I KNOW that for the AF, having had laser vision correction, it CAN be a disqualifying factor. I SPECULATE that its because it causes night vision in some cases. Check out the Air Force website, or talk to a recruiter for more info.

Is that better?
 
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