vision question

N

njboeingfan

Well-Known Member
I posted this under a different thread, but I should have posted it here. I'm 33, 20/20 corrected left, 20/25 corrected right with a lazy eye. I passed my 1st class in 1992 and my vision hasn't changed. The AME rarely failed anyone from what I understand. He has retired. I would like to fly for the regionals for majors if possible, but not sure if a strict AME would require a waiver. My depth perception is bad, but I hold a private with out any restrictions other than glasses. Doc, do you think a waiver is required or is 20/25 close to 20/20 for the exam. Thanks!
 
You can try the AME's test. In our office, we use both a machine and the wall chart to test distant vision, depending on which one the pilot is more comfortable with.

If you cannot see 20/20 from one eye, you can have the eye doctor complete a form 8500-7 http://forms.faa.gov/forms/faa8500-7.pdf. This is submitted to the FAA with a request for consideration for a waiver. The regulations allow even pilots with only one eye to fly so a waiver is not a big deal here.
 
Thanks Doc. My wife is not happy with the waiver b/c she doesn't want me to fly. I was going to attend med. school this Fall, but if I can get a 1st class w/ or w/o a waiver, I am going to put med school on hold. Should I bring the waiver form with me or will the AME have a copy? Thanks again.
 
First, print off the 8500-7 from the link I provided. Take it to the eye doctor and have it completed. If you fail (20/25) then give the 8500-7 to the AME to submit with the 8500-8 he sends in along with a letter from you requesting consideration for a waiver.
 
It's possible to get a 1st or 2nd class medical.

I have the same condition as you. Except I have 20/25 distant, 20/20 near vision in my left (lazy eye) and 20/20 distant and near in my right eye best corrected.

You will have to go to an eye doc and have them fill out an 8500-7 like the doc said. Send that along with a letter of intent to OK City. I received a waiver (Statement of Demonstrated Ability) a couple months later for the 1st class. I didn't have to take a flight test or anything. It was an administrative decision to give me the first class.

Most airlines today will take just a 1st class medical. However, be aware that some airlines still require 20/20 vision or have their own in-house medical staff. American and American Eagle are the only airlines left that have its own medical staff (correct me if I'm wrong). So even though you hold a 1st class...you still can be medically DQ'd. Alaska Airlines has a req for 20/20 best corrected in both eyes. Besides those three companies, there are plenty of other airlines that will accept our disability. I think we'll be alright. ;)
 
Hey Fly-

Let's say I wanted to do what you did - could I continue to fly under my current first class medical, then when I needed to renew (July) have this paperwork ready to go? I'm not sure if I'm explaining correctly, but essentially I'm looking to stay as a line pilot without going on STD/LTD while I wait for the paperwork to go thru.
 
Just see the eye doctor and get the 8500-7 completed. If he says you are 20/20 distant vision, don't worry. If it is 20/25 in his office, then submit the 8500-7 to the FAA so you have a letter in place at the next medical. You don't want to go in for the medical, not be qualified and have to wait for the FAA to issue the letter.
 
My Flight Surgeon said:
Just see the eye doctor and get the 8500-7 completed. If he says you are 20/20 distant vision, don't worry. If it is 20/25 in his office, then submit the 8500-7 to the FAA so you have a letter in place at the next medical. You don't want to go in for the medical, not be qualified and have to wait for the FAA to issue the letter.
Click to expand...

Yeah what I'm trying to avoid is voiding my first class. I've got one now, good thru July. I am currently working 121 so if I were to go do my medical and see 20/25 (I've been borderline before, I'd rather not have to worry about it) I would like to have the waiver ready to go. Does this make sense? Can I do what I'm trying to do? Or does it have to be done during an official FAA medical? Who can fill out form 8500? The AME or eye doctor? Also what exactly does this form allow me to do? Will the FAA authorize me for first class even if I'm 20/25 in one or both eyes once this form is completed?

The AME I used last time is also an eye doctor.

Thanks!
 
The form 8500-7 is completed by the eye doctor. You can submit it to the FAAahead of the flight physical to get the consideration for a letter from them. BTW, the distant vision standards are the same for Class 1 and 2 medicals.

What they will probably do is give you a letter of exception stating that the 20/25 is a known problem and you can have a certificate issued with 20.25 (this is only for ONE eye, the other eye needs to be corrected to 20/20). This means the AME can issue with 20/20 in only one eye.
 
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