CG Flight Physical (depth perception)

[rjl2001]

Well, a while ago I went up to Air Station Miami to take my flight physical. I want to be an Aviation Survival Technician (rescue swimmer) now, and was planning on flying when I complete my degree. Everything went fine up there except for the depth perception test. I took the one with the circles, and had a very hard time with it. Then he gave me the test where there are three lines in this box thing, and I would have to notice which line was closer/further. The person administering the test said I was pretty much borderline on that test but not horrible or anything. So the flight surgeon guy up there told me to see an optometrist once I got back to my unit. I finally went and saw a Navy optometrist. He did a full eye exam with a lot of new equipment. He said my right eye is stronger than my left, so right eye dominant and that is what is causing problems with the depth perception test. He looked up the regulations for Navy aircrew and said he was uncertain whether I met them or not because one part of the regulations said there could be no visible eye movement for the test he was giving, and in another part it said there could be eye movement on that test. So those results got sent back to the CG flight surgeon in Miami, and then I just got a phone call from my unit's medical office and they said sorry you can't do aviation in the coast guard, think of something else you want to do.

All I have ever wanted to do is fly in the military, and in all honesty I don't care for ships that much. Is there anything else I can do? Is it possible to get a waiver or have another eye exam by another optometrist? Are there any surgeries/therapy/ or eye glass perscriptions that could help? I've never had a problem with depth perception and I don't have a problem flying single engine cessna's and piper's.

 

[Falconjet]

waiver?

rjl2001: I would attempt to get another flight physical with a CG flight surgeon and another visit with an independent optometrist, not a Navy one, if at all possible. I don't mean any slight on Navy doctors, but they seem to be more inclined to ground pilots with questionable physical issues rather than go out of their way to find a waiver or something that might allow a pilot to continue flying. The CG, in my experience, was much more willing to waive physical problems (particularly vision issues) than the Navy doctors ever were. I did have to go through numerous CG flight physicals during my career and the infamous NAMI-whammy during flight school, so I got to see both sides.

Thats not to say that a waiver is a given, but it could happen. You should continue to pursue a waiver and try to stay with CG or civilian doctors if possible. Be as diplomatic as you can and don't step on any toes, but be diligent and keep pushing the issue until you feel you have exhausted all of your alternatives. Then step back, regroup, and try again. Keep trying until the Commandant of the CG says no or you decide its no longer worth the effort. I was stationed with a pilot who was color blind and the CG was willing to waive that to some extent, but he didn't want the stigma of a waiver so he left aviation.

You definitely need good depth perception to hover over a boat getting tossed around in 40 foot seas and 50 knot winds while doing a hoist in a helo or dropping a de-watering pump to a sinker at 200 feet and 130 knots at night in the wind and rain in the Falcon. So if you definitely have a problem with the depth perception and its bad enough that you can't get a waiver, I hate to say it but you are probably better off doing something else.

Keep the faith and keep pressing the issue. Good luck. FJ

 

[Mogus]

I wouldn't give up hope that quickly. I have the same problem. My right eye is stronger than the left. Failed the Depth Perceptin 'Rings' Test. I'm looking into getting the See Clearly Method. The main idea behind it is you do "fusing" exercises, which get your eyes working together, which is essential for good depth perception. You also do some of the exercises with the patch, and wear it during the day, except when doing activities requiring depth perception. Look into it here . I think you'd be a good candidate. Good luck.