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RAF Pilot and glasses?

Hi there,

I am interested in joining the RAF and becoming a Pilot.

Just wondering if i would be accepted as i wear glasses, would i if my eyes were up to a certain standard?

If they were would i be able to fly something slower than a jet, a transport for example? Hercules or a Chinook?

Thanks
Reply 1
Avatar for icklecathy
icklecathy
GR33NY
Hi there,

I am interested in joining the RAF and becoming a Pilot.

Just wondering if i would be accepted as i wear glasses, would i if my eyes were up to a certain standard?

If they were would i be able to fly something slower than a jet, a transport for example? Hercules or a Chinook?

Thanks


In short. No.
Reply 2
Avatar for MATHILDA
MATHILDA
As Cathy said.. no you can't. And don't even think about having your eyes lasered to give you 'normal' vision as they are very very wary of people who have had this done and still want to know what your prescription was before you had the lasering done. There are certain limits they will accept for other trades with regards to your prescription level. Call your AFCO for more details. :smile: Pilots need to be the best physical and mental specimens possible... if you don't reach the criteria they have so many people who want to be pilots that they can pick and choose.
Reply 3
Avatar for Wzz
Wzz
11
icklecathy
In short. No.


I've taught you well, haven't I; sounds like something I would have said....
Reply 4
Avatar for Wzz
Wzz
11
MATHILDA
As Cathy said.. no you can't. And don't even think about having your eyes lasered to give you 'normal' vision as they are very very wary of people who have had this done and still want to know what your prescription was before you had the lasering done.


In fact, they won't accept you full stop regardless of what you were before.
Reply 5
Avatar for ~Sam~
~Sam~
15
My dad's a commercial pilot and he wears glasses. But it's probably different for the RAF,
Reply 6
Avatar for frost105
frost105
14
the raf wont take you as a pilot if your eyes arent 20 20 and iwouldnt get your eyes lasered as you might not even get in the forces with it! they reaaly frown on that!
Reply 7
Avatar for Rhys
Rhys
frost105
the raf wont take you as a pilot if your eyes arent 20 20


Thats not true, and it's 6/6 :wink:
Reply 8
Avatar for Squishy
Squishy
11
Rhys
Thats not true, and it's 6/6 :wink:


Heh, I normally strongly favour SI units over Imperial, but I'm still used to 20/20 vision. :rolleyes:
Reply 9
Avatar for Tednol
Tednol
10
GR33NY
Just wondering if i would be accepted as i wear glasses, would i if my eyes were up to a certain standard?


As people have said - no.

Although that isn't the full story. Many, many current pilots fly with glasses at least they do on the Harrier squadron my dad works for. Basically whilst the RAF at least outwardly specific perfect eyesight is essential, if you eye sight fades after even the most basic of training you will be provided with flying specs and that is that - you will not be chucked out.
Reply 10
Avatar for kez-man
kez-man
1
Rhys
Thats not true, and it's 6/6 :wink:


You sure its not 51/51 :P lol.

To get a CPL (I think its CPL or maybe PPL) you can have eye correction of upto 5D summed in both eyes (meaning you could have -2.5D for each eye, or -1.5D and -3.5D for your eyes..etc).

This information may be out of date, but it will give you a rough idea of the requirements.
Reply 11
Avatar for Wzz
Wzz
11
To join as a pilot, you must have uncorrected (be that by glasses, laser surgery, or whatever) vision that is certainly closer to 6/6 than anything else.

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