Expert: Capt Paul - 9/9/2006

Question
I have a friend who has an intrest for flying since he was young paticularly airline flying. The problem I think for him is he doesn't have full purifial vision. He can see strait ahead and out the corner of his left eye. However, he cannot see out the corner of his right eye. He can only see ahead of him in his right eye. How does this effect him in airlines as a pilot? Can he still fly? Could he be a copilot and just work on operating buttons but not acually have to fly the plane for full time? Or if he can't fly for an airline can he fly a smaller aircraft not even carrying passangers but for himself. He just wants to fly.
Thanks so much for your help.

Answer
The best answer is, that he can probably fly.  It will depend upon which country that he wants to obtain the pilots license in. I would recommend that he go to see an Aviation Doctor, and get an evaluation.  Those doctors can be found by searching the internet or by telephone to the local Civil Aviation Authority.

By the way, the Co-pilot does 1/2 of the actual flying, so he will have to pass a medical check.

Cheers