Expert: David A. NewMyer - 1/29/2006

Question
hello there
my name is Steven
I am in my final year of High School
and plan on becoming an Airline pilot.

But my question is...
if you have the need to wear corrective lenses to achieve 20/20 vision...(my eyesight being roughly -1.00) should i be looking at a new career path?

The CAA (civil aviation authority in New Zealand) states that to obtain a ATPL you may wear corrective lenses, but you must achieve 20/20 vision.(which i can)
But!
What about the Airlines...
Surely they would have their own medical policies.. and from what i hear.. some of the airlines such as korean air, asiana, maybe cathy pacific.. they only hire pilots who are +0.8 vision without correctives.

So i was just thinking...
Is there a point in spending time and money into hours and training for a qualification...only having to find myself unemployed due to my eye condition?

Your reply will be of great help

Yours Faithfully
Steven.

Answer
HI, Steven:

Thanks for your question, and, I will try to assist.

You raise an excellent question that I get fairly regularly.  I am unfamiliar with the specifics of aviation regulations in New Zealand, but, the rules there do sound a bit like the rules here.  Your vision must be correctable to 20/20 in order to hold the Air Transport Rating.  Here in the USA, due to fears about lawsuits related to discrimination and related issues, the airlines have stopped screening just for 20/20 vision.  The military continues to do so for national security reasons.  The bottom line is that that is can change, but, it points out that someone like you, who is just now planning on beginning to prepare for the industry, must try to figure out what the standards will be in four or five years, when you are ready to enter the industry.

Therefore, my recommendation is to do all the research that you can to find out what the companies where you intend to work require in terms of vision.  Also, realize that flying for the military will likely be difficult if not impossible.  Also, realize that, with the proper degree preparation, it is also possible to work in the aviation industry without flying every day.  Here at the university where I work, we have a BS degree in Aviation Management which prepares graduates for non-flying jobs in airlines, airports, the manufacturers, in government and in general aviation.  We also offer a BS in Aviation Technologies that prepares its recipients for jobs in areas like aircraft maintenance, product support and related areas.

So, keep your options open and try to select a degree program that gives you broad preparation for the entire aviation industry and not only to fly.

Best wishes to you,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
http://www.aviation.siu.edu