Originally Posted by
Kasserine06
If someone were to tell a specific reason/situation where stereo vision and only stereo vision will be required to judge distance, then I will admit defeat. The reason why I still believe I have a chance is because the specialists I have seen for the Air Force keep telling me that it is impossible for someone without stereo vision to land a plane even though I can. They are trying to tell me I have certain limitations even though they have no idea how I perceive the world and they are not be aware that you can still judge distance fine by only using one eye. I would rather deal with the people who have a say in making the standards and not the people who blindly enforce them. The last Air Force doctor who examined me literally laughed saying it is impossible to control an aircraft without stereo vision. I respect her opinion, but she has no idea what my capabilities are.
The private doctor I am seeing also said that passing stereo vision tests does not mean that your brain uses stereo vision all the time. Your brain might only use it during specific tests. That is what she is trying to teach me, to mentally “turn on” my stereo vision. Many people who have to take the different tests and pass may not be using both eyes while they fly. That is where I stand now. I can pass a few tests when I try, but when I am not taking those tests, my brain reverts back to mono vision.
If the goal of this test is to determine if I have the ability to safely land a plane (what every AF doctor has told me), then this needs to be reevaluated. If it is for other reasons, I would like to know. It is true that there may be an important reason for this, but if I am able to hook a banner line 8 feet off the ground, it seems by depth perception is adequate enough.
K06:
I am not attempting to be pessimistic or to discourage your efforts on this. I salute your desire to serve and wish you nothing but luck,
Having said that, here is the bad news: It does not matter if you can land the plane blindfolded--if the AF says you have to pass test X, then test X you will pass or you do not fly for the AF. Forget about what the doctors say, pro or con. It does not matter what they think you can or can not do, and it does not matter what the purpose of the test is. The system exists to replace effort and allow techs to do the job of many doctors. Getting a passing grade on some acceptable depth perception test has to be done or you do not proceed.
Now, for the good news: a previous poster said that anything can be waived. That is largely true. Ask the AF people (nicely) what AFI (regulation) governs this issue. Ask them if there are changes out to this AFI, ask them if there are local or command supplements that apply to you. Get them to tell you chapter and verse. Read the exact words. Then go to the front of the document and find out who, or what office, is the waiver authority. That waiver authority is the one that can give you permission to move on.
It will be a lot like being your own lawyer. Did not mean to insult you by calling you a lawyer.
Now, for a little more bad news: since you are coming in from the outside, the AF has not yet invested a lot in your training. Institutionally, they can just as easily get someone who passes the tests and that will be the natural inclination. Someone must sign their name to the waiver--what is the incentive for them to help you? The AFI says you are out. If they use the waiver authority to let you in what do they get? Thanks from you is about it. If you fail somehow down the road, someone might ask why they waived the AFI for you--they have little incentive to help you.
So, it isn't impossible, but it is tough. Other possibilities:
Do other services have tests you can pass?
Would you accept a comission in the AF and apply to be a pilot later? You'd be an insider and more likely to get help.
Good luck to you.
WW