Und

[Timebuilder]

I only recommended uncorrected 20/20 vision to allow for the full range of career possibilities offered at UND, such as NASA.

Also, if you have glasses or contacts by the time you are in high school, you may have vision which can deteriorate to a point where correction is difficult for a flying career. A look at family history and a consult with a opthamologist would be prudent before embarking on an aviation degree, as opposed to some other degree where 20/20 is not a firm requirement. Stable 20/20 when in college inproves your chances of retaining correctable vision throughout your life, with regular exams.

I found out I needed glasses when I went to get a hack license while at NYU. Luckily, my vision has changed little since then.

 

[chperplt]

Well, I guess I'm fu@ked then.. I have an aviation degree and don't have uncorrected 20/20 vision.. Although, with the great advances in contact lenses, I do have corrected 20/10 in both eyes..

 

[Timebuilder]

Having good vision is just a suggestion for the guy who hasn't gotten to the point of making the Big Choice of a degree. Aviation is a profession where we can be shot down despite the dedication to learning.

It's prudent to take all of the variables into consideration before putting all of your education eggs into one basket. When I was at the academy, a lot of guys who wanted to be fighter jocks were turned down because of glasses.

Most of us won't have a big problem with our flying jobs, but how many of us can pass an air force or NASA flight physical? I know that I couldn't, even at 21.

 

[bobbysamd]

Bad vision

I agree with Timebuilder, but there's plenty that you can do in aviation with less than 20/20. Chperplt can probably advance to the majors, especially if Delta now hires with less than 20/20 vision.

About the only place one may be screwed is military flying. Of course, military flying is a time-honored way to that majors seat, but not the only way anymore.

 

[chperplt]

Chperplt can probably advance to the majors, especially if Delta now hires with less than 20/20 vision.

My first post was a joke.. But if you really think that 20/20 uncorrected is going to be the deciding factor in employment in any civil aviation job, you have a lot to learn.

A lot has changed since you gave a run at it bobbysamd

 

[Timebuilder]

I know that I was mentioning uncorrected 20/20 due to NASA/ military requirements and the likelihood of maintaining acceptable vision levels.

While not a deal breaker for an aviation job, I submit that an aviation degree might not be the best choice unless you are air force or astronaut material. I think that is the gist of what both Bobby and I are saying. Many people will have no trouble with their vision, but the colorful metaphor you mentioned above could apply if your only degree is aeronautics.

I think it would be a shame to have a degree that only qualifies you to fly, then be denied that job for a physical reason.

That's just being prudent with your future.

 

[chperplt]

I have a BS from riddle in Aeronautical Science, and a Masters in Aviation Safety/Accident Investigation so I will have plenty of work outside of flying.

Again, my first post was a joke.

Your point is taken.

 

[Timebuilder]

That's a teriffic education.

Most of the folks I have asked about accident investigation change the subject, or tell me that most people don't have the stomach for it. They're probably right.

Security, human factors, or accident investigation are on my list of possible education paths.

Good luck.

 

[chperplt]

Thanks

I'm looking into a Ph.D. program in cognitive psychology. I'm very interested in Human Factors.

 

[John Hewlett]

Lasik

Well I am committed, and motivated. However my eye sight without my contacts is not real great! Infact its not good. However, I have eye exams every 6th months to keep it tweeked. I just had one last week and my optomitrist said that I should be able to have lasik next your or the year after when I am 21. My eyes have been relatively stable for sometime now.

What do you all think about lasik? Its FAA approved!

John

PS - I doubt space is in my future.

 

[Timebuilder]

I know of a UPS pilot who has had great success with LASIK.

In addtion, I have been warned against it for myself by my AME, who says that not everyone has such a wonderful experience with the surgery.

In ten or twenty years, most people should be able to purchase nearly perfect vision the way we purchase cosmetic dentistry.

I'm not saying that you can't have a career in aviation, but I would wholeheartedly recommend a college major that you can use without having an FAA medical. The present is fine; it's the future you have to plan for.

Good luck with your plans, and your choices.

 

[bobbysamd]

Vision correction surgery

The airlines have eased their opposition greatly to Lasik and other forms of vision correction surgery. As with all surgery, vision correction surgery carries risks. Take a look at these two websites to see what I mean:


http://www.cornealaw.com/complications.htm

http://64.224.84.229/vcsurg

Something else to consider is that if you have the surgery as a young person, you may still need glasses as you get older or need the operation (and assume its risks) again.

Frankly, although I've been using some form of vision correction since I've been in the third grade and I'm not at all annoyed by it, I'd love not to need it. But, the downside scares me to death. Even my optometrist told me at my last eye exam that eye operations are a work in progress - and she has had the procedure!

Just think about it carefully before you let some doctor take his scapel or laser to your corneas. Good luck with your decision.