when did vision requirements change?
01-14-2009, 10:46 PM
#1
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when did vision requirements change?
I know that now you can get a 1st class medical as long as you can correct to 20/20. I seem to recall that a while ago (like the late 80's) you had to be 20/20 uncorrected to get a 1st class. Does anyone know when the requirements were relaxed?
01-15-2009, 11:44 AM
#3
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That's interesting because I wear glasses and started flying about a year and a half ago and people always say that they thought I could not be a pilot if I had to wear corrective lenses. I did not know where that came from.
01-15-2009, 05:40 PM
#4
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About 10-15 years ago UAL was sued by twin sisters who were legally blind (20/400?) but wanted to be hired as pilots. For the first time in history UAL lawyers won in court, and the blind sisters did not have to be hired as pilots.
Joe
Joe
01-15-2009, 11:54 PM
#5
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Originally Posted by normajean21
does it matter
Glad to know the FAA has caught up to reality in this department.
01-15-2009, 11:57 PM
#6
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Yeah, it does matter...
Yes, it does matter to me. That is a large part of the reason I discontinued pursuing an aviation career in 1991. I've not flown for 17 years. I had barely 20/100 in both eyes distant vision and wore contacts. Since I've been out of aviation for the last 17 years, I have not kept up with when these changes in the FARs took place and wonder how long the FAA has finally had a clue.
Glad to know the FAA has caught up to reality in this department.[/quote]
Glad to know the FAA has caught up to reality in this department.[/quote]
01-16-2009, 04:46 AM
#8
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For what it's worth, I got an ATP in 1982. 20/70 20/80 One exam I couldn't read the chart to 20/100. OKC sent a letter, got an eye test from a real eye doctor, not an AME, he said everything was good and stable. Many airlines used glasses as a filter in hiring before the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, after that, as long as you could read the chart, you were good to go.
01-16-2009, 10:05 AM
#9
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Originally Posted by Twin Wasp
Many airlines used glasses as a filter in hiring before the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, after that, as long as you could read the chart, you were good to go.
In the long run, I think they will all drop the requirement if they have not already.
01-16-2009, 11:32 AM
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Originally Posted by ufgatorpilot
So could the twin sisters that were legally blind correct to 20/20?
In my opinion what UAL was afraid of was the legal liability if they had an accident. Can you imagine a lawyer standing up in front of a jury and saying something like "And ladies and gentlemen, the defendant hired this Captain knowing that she was LEGALLY BLIND". You just know the jury is going to return a verdict that could break the company.
Joe
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