Air Force Question
 

Just a question for past/present/future air force guys. I am very interested in flying for the Air Force but have 20/200 vision so my whole life have pretty much ruled it out as an option. Just wondering if there have been any rumors around that that rule is going to change. I have heard things such as you are able to fly tankers and transport but not fighters, ect ect. Any input would be appreciated, thanks:cool:

I'm currently a reservist, and once in you don't really keep up with the current qualifications for getting a pilot slot, so take this with a grain of salt. Active duty is letting younger pilots out due to overages, so they have probably tightened up their medical qualifications. The air force is cyclical just like the airlines when it comes to pilot hiring and retention. Your best bet is to find a recruiter that has their head screwed on straight and ask them, if you don't like the answer find another recruiter that will find out for you. Good luck because I know it can be frustrating.

I'm a retired AF pilot and to the best of my knowledge the USAF has always
required uncorrected 20/20 vision or better to enter pilot training. Once you're rated you can wear glasses and fly anything. I have heard to can't verify it that if vision can be corrected using lasik surgery that is ok and the vision will qualify as long as it's 20/20 or better. When i was hired by United they were one of the few airlines that would allow 20/40 corrected to 20/20 to be hired. So it takes good vision to get in. I'd try and talk to an AF flight surgeon to see what the requirements are now. Jon

Latest vision reqs I know of were/are 20/70 correctable to 20/20. They were giving waivers on a case by case basis for eye surgury recipients. I believe you had to be approved prior to having the procedure. As far as getting in there is no difference in the eyesight requirements between fighters and heavies. Unless you go in guard or reserve you don't even know what you will fly till you are half way done with UPT. Your flt physical is way behind you at that point. As far as the airlines go, I don't think any of them care anymore as long as you can get a class 1.

The 20/70 corrected to 2020 rings a bell. However, I did see a list of airplanes the other day which aircrew are allowed to have eye surgery and still fly. It had to do with the pressurization aspects. I.E. the b-52 guys could not have surgery but the B-1 guys could. The buff has a combat setting for the pressurization and I guess the Bone does not. Also, even an eye surgeon can't tell when lasik has been done...father is an eye surgeon.

Interesting info, my comment on vision and aircraft was pertaining to non-surgery applicants. I don't know what they are looking for but when you go to Brooks for your flt screening medical they do a lot of poking and prodding. This included much focus on vision type stuff to include some kind of retina mapping or the like. Computer was scanning something in there anyway. Of course, the docs and techs don't tell you crap all day long or even after. Only your future on the line, no pressure!

20/70 correctable to 20/20 to be selected thence,
must not diminish to less than 20/100 before enterring pilot training;
must not diminish to less than 20/200 before completing pilot training.
These were the guidelines of the last pilot selection board I participated in, as an interviewer (May 2005). The Air Force also allows surgically enhanced vision, but be very careful. They will not accept those who have already completed the surgeory. You will have to get that waiver PRIOR to having the procedure. Contact the Flight Surgeon at Brooks Hospital, San Antonio , TX for the best answer.

so it sounds like they are beginning to accept eye surgury, from what ive heard in the past it was DQing to both military AND airlines, but i guess technology and medical procedures improve over time, has anybody had it before? Ive heard ups and downs about the procedure.

Prk
 

I had PRK done while in the AF on their dime. I have no complaints. I went from 20/400 20/450 to 20/20 in both eyes with no problems at night. I don't remember what wearing glasses is like and i wore them for 15 years.

Just follow the doctors post-op instruction and you will be fine.


-LAFF

Active duty '83 - '96. When I went in, you had to have 20/20. Everyone got a complete physical after reporting. Had 3 guys in my section who had never worn glasses........Guess what, they got them. Air Force gave them to them and they had no problems. Once you get to pilot training, it does'nt matter. Course, that was in '83.

The Navy is accepting corrective eye surgery. USNA MIDN's are getting it paid by the Navy. I believe the USAF is allowing surgery as well. Call someone in the training command and find out straight from the source.

Age waivers?
 

Are any of the branches currently allowing age waivers for pilot applicants and if so how what would be their current maximum age?

:rolleyes: Age 65 if you're willing to get SA-16s shot at you...livin the dream!

Baseops.net
 

There is a lot of info regarding pilot slots on the baseops.net forum.

Depends on the commisioning source.
 

I've been out of the AF for, wow, 10 years now, but the vision requirement used to depend on the commisioning source.

In other words, AF Academy grads could do the 20/70 thing since they opened the place up. ROTC or OTS grads had to have the 20/20 thing because of the competition. It is a supply and demand issue and the AF takes advantage of it. They figure the Ring Bangers are what they are and get the waiver automatically. You then look at the other sources and say how can we eliminate folks from the potential pilot ranks. Vision comes up to the top of the elimination tools.

Isn't right perhaps, but it has always been a supply/demand situation. Vision deteriorates with time and the stats say if your vision is perfect to begin with then the degradation will usually be less over the years.

Instructed at a UPT base for many years during the late 80's, you only saw glasses on an academy grad.

My 2 cents.

Lee