army helos and vision requirements...

[wingnutt]

...ok, does anyone have the factual on whether or not 20/20 is still a requirement? i jumpseated with a new FAA examiner (retired helo) and he claims theres a new reg out that allows less than 20/20, but noone i know has any info other than his.

 

[Andy Neill]

According to:

http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/genjoin/a/pilotvision.htm

it is:

Army (Rotary Wing)

The Army has very few fixed-wing aircraft. The vast majority of Army pilots are helicopter pilots. Army Aviators must pass a Flight Class I Flying Physical. To enter Army Helicopter Flight Training, as either a commissioned officer or warrant officer, the applicant can have vision no worse than 20/50 (correctable to 20/20) in each eye. After flight training, pilots can remain on flight status as long as their vision does not deteriorate beyond 20/400 (correctable to 20/20).

Normal depth perception and normal color vision is required.

Like the Navy/Marine Corps, it is possible to apply for Army Flight Training and/or remain on flying status with laser eye surgery, if one is accepted into the Army's Aviator Laser Eye Surgery Study Program.

 

[2LT]

LASIK

Wingnutt,
I'm on a LASIK waiver for IERW. If you need any help/advice on how to go about this, feel free to PM. Also, you can post on www.aptap.org if you haven't already heard of the site.

Didn't know that the Navy/USMC accepted LASIK now?

 

[rjl2001]

anyone know how 'normal depth perception' is defined? is there a certain score on a certain eye test that has to be met? just wondering

 

[2LT]

RANDOT

Here's what I found online:

RANDOT (Random Dot Circles Test): - There are ten presentations of three circles each in the RANDOT. - You must test ALL ten presentations; do not stop after number seven. - You must test all presentation IN ORDER; do not jump around since each level is progressively more difficult. - Patient identifies the circle that appears ‘closest’. - Test until the patient misses two levels in a row. - Record the last level passed successfully. - For RANDOT, a minimum passing score is correctly identifying presentations 1 THROUGH 7 which equals 40 seconds of arc. - Record as the number missed over the number possible. - For example, ‘RANDOT 3/10 – 40 arc sec PASS’ or words to that effect. - If fails the RANDOT, may retest using AFVT/OPTEC 2300 or Titmus

 

[miles otoole]

Re: LASIK

Wingnutt,
I'm on a LASIK waiver for IERW. If you need any help/advice on how to go about this, feel free to PM. Also, you can post on www.aptap.org if you haven't already heard of the site.

Didn't know that the Navy/USMC accepted LASIK now?

They don't-it's PRK only. Wish people would stop posting incorrect info.

 

[weekendwarrior]

Those depth perception things are a trip. You kind of have to look at them for a minute, but not too long, or they start moving!

I just grab the little plexiglass piece with the rings suspended in them and look at it from the side when no one is looking