Expert: Ismar Avdic, Eng. - 6/12/2008

Question
I am only in Grade 10 at the moment but I am intent on becoming a pilot when I grow up, but commercialy not in the RAF. I have done some flying and had a lesson in the air and a couple of lessons in a simulator. What else can I do and my eyesight is a slight problem as I have to wear glasses, what is the restriction for glasses? (My prescription is -1.75)

Answer
Dear Olivia,
Your eyesight is not problem to get any kind of pilot licne including profssional Airline Pilot license. As meter of fact I do have-2 on both eyes. It is very common to see in USA pilt crews that both crew members have glasses,really. What so ever you wll have restriction onyour medical certificate that say you haveto wear corrective lenses, we all d have restrictions on our driving license and really no big deal. This is very common in USA, and my answeris based on FAA USA fight requrements. However, sme Europian countries an thir airlines do have different requirements for their pilots, and again that is the case from country to country, and maireason for strickter criteria is limiting number of qualified candidates that ar elegible for flight training. If you experience same problem in UK, I guarantee you you will not have that problem in USA.

Good Luck
Ismar