Expert: Ismar Avdic, Eng. - 10/13/2010

Question
I was wondering what my chances are of becoming a civilian pilot. Fixed wing or rotary. I wear glasses, so the military is a no go. I am a solo glider pilot, I live in England, and am in my last year at high school. As a result,I would like to know whether there's much chance of me getting a job, after I had qualified and got my license in something?. I'm planning on going to university and would study aeronautics if i knew that it would help me. However, if theres not much chance of getting a job in the first place then I'll study something else. Also, I was wondering, if there is a chance, what are the organisations or paths I could take too get a license? Is there any hope of funding? (From applying for bursaries and scholarships for my gliding I know that alot of people look for those with possible military futures to give their money to)  

Answer
I am not very familiar with England pilot health requirements, but they are not much different from USA requirements. I have glasses and always had glasses, as long as you can correct your vision 20/20 either with glasses or contacts, you should not have problems passing pilot medical exam.
Study of an aviation or aeronautical fiels is not required but it will help you to eleveate and understand essential concepts in your career as an pilot. Do not give up because glasses, majority civilan pilots do have glasses, that includes pilots from England too, passing an aviation medical exam is no problem with glasses, however some companies when they are hiring initial applicants for pilot training and pilot jobs do require that you do not have any glasses/contacts....That is against the law in USA, so again in England I do not know that much.
Regarding funding, well that is tough question as I do not have any informations for England regarding the training...

Ismar