Medical waivers for the military?

[JSky26]

Hello,

I know this topic has probably been picked to death but I can't seem to find any straight answers anywhere else.

I have a current FAA 1st Class medical through waiver. My best corrected distant acuity in my left eye is 20/25. Everything else is 20/20 all around. I also have a mild red/green color deficiency. I have trouble getting the last couple ishihara plates but I have taken the Farnsworth Lantern test and can pass that easily. I have no problem discemenating these colors in my flight experience thus far...

But bottom line, if I play may cards right, can I be a military aviator? Or am I destined to stay on the civilian side?

 

[Joshrk22]

It depends on what type of military aviator. If you went mil. you would probably have to stick with cargo. For Fighter pilots its 20/20 uncorrected(non-waiverable), so I dont think that your vision will cut it here. I'm not sure about the color problem, I thought that was waiverable, but maybe not, it probably depends on how bad it is.

 

[AdlerDriver]

USAF UPT requirements

Looks like your color deficiency would be a show-stopper in the USAF. Don't know about other services but my guess is it's probably a no-go.

Before Selection for Undergraduate Pilot Training: Minimum Requirements
-Under the age of 30 prior to beginning flight training
-Minimum 20/70 vision correctable to 20/20 without color blindness. Laser vision correction (RK, Lasik etc.) is disqualifying
-Bachelors Degree
-Applicant must be physically fit and able to run 1½ miles in under 12 minutes
-Meet Air Force height and weight requirements

The info posted above this is not correct. There are plenty of fighter pilots in the USAF who are not 20/20 and wear contacts or glasses when they fly. There is no separate criterion for fighter pilots vs. cargo pilots - you are either physically qualified to become a pilot or you are not.

 

[BluDevAv8r]

Hello,

I know this topic has probably been picked to death but I can't seem to find any straight answers anywhere else.

I have a current FAA 1st Class medical through waiver. My best corrected distant acuity in my left eye is 20/25. Everything else is 20/20 all around. I also have a mild red/green color deficiency. I have trouble getting the last couple ishihara plates but I have taken the Farnsworth Lantern test and can pass that easily. I have no problem discemenating these colors in my flight experience thus far...

But bottom line, if I play may cards right, can I be a military aviator? Or am I destined to stay on the civilian side?

As someone who had an F-16 slot in the Guard, but then lost it due to a mild red/green color deficiency, I'll go out on a limb here and say you are probably destined to the civilian realm. But regardless, make sure you go and take the Flying Class 1 physical somewhere...you never know how you will do until you actually take the test. Good luck!

-Neal

 

[AdlerDriver]

......For Fighter pilots its 20/20 uncorrected(non-waiverable), so I dont think that your vision will cut it here.

His vision won't "cut it" where?

 

[JSky26]

Thanks for the responses guys...

I was just curious... I never thought military until all these flight fees started adding up. I'd be done with college in two years and I heard about some guys that just applied to OTS or something like that and got slots? They weren't even in ROTC which I didn't know you could go that route. But I'll pay them off one day on that lowly regional FO salary.... Thanks again

BlueDevAv8r,

You never had a problem with any of your employers regarding your color deficiency? Do you have a SODA or did you take an alternate test with the FAA?

 

[BluDevAv8r]

Thanks for the responses guys...

I was just curious... I never thought military until all these flight fees started adding up. I'd be done with college in two years and I heard about some guys that just applied to OTS or something like that and got slots? They weren't even in ROTC which I didn't know you could go that route. But I'll pay them off one day on that lowly regional FO salary.... Thanks again

BlueDevAv8r,

You never had a problem with any of your employers regarding your color deficiency? Do you have a SODA or did you take an alternate test with the FAA?

No, I don't have a SODA. I took the FALANT test at a civilian doctor's office (was in the NY School Of Optometry or something like that) and then mailed those results to the FAA in OKC. They then sent me back a letter saying that I passed an alternate but approved test and I don't have to have my color vision tested on any subsequent medical exams. In other words, my 1st Class Medical looks normal (except for the "must wear corrective lenses" line).

-Neal

 

[Slice121]

It depends on what type of military aviator. If you went mil. you would probably have to stick with cargo. For Fighter pilots its 20/20 uncorrected(non-waiverable), so I dont think that your vision will cut it here. I'm not sure about the color problem, I thought that was waiverable, but maybe not, it probably depends on how bad it is.

Josh you're talking out of your A$$. All UPT students are held to the same vision standards upon entering training WAY BEFORE they know if they get to fly a fighter or not. Last I checked it was 20/70 or better without a waiver. As already stated, if you have color vision issues, you may have a problem.

 

[Slice121]

As someone who had an F-16 slot in the Guard, but then lost it due to a mild red/green color deficiency, I'll go out on a limb here and say you are probably destined to the civilian realm. But regardless, make sure you go and take the Flying Class 1 physical somewhere...you never know how you will do until you actually take the test. Good luck!

-Neal

What unit and when was your slot?

 

[BluDevAv8r]

What unit and when was your slot?

121FS, 113FW, DCANG...way back in 1999. It was for a FY00 slot if I remember correctly (but I try to block it out obviously...it hurts to even think about it).

-Neal