Why don't short-sightedness and fighter pilots mix?
I’m not sure on the LASEK/LASIK eye surgery rules for all countries but many don’t fancy it(including mine: AUS) and still contest that their pilots have 20/20 vision.
The argument is pretty straight forward,
0mill plane vs. blurry mountain
but what I’m gettin at is:
OVER A THIRD of people have poor eye sight:
http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/m/myopia/stats.htm
Are the armed forces really taking the right precaucions when they rule out over a third of possible applicants?
(Please mind the spelling, comp froze at publish)
Gunner Rossco posted: 03 Mar at 2:40 pm
Australia has more applicants for pilot-officer training than they have aircraft in all of the services! While you might find really talented pilots from a pool of myopic applicants, there’s more than enough normal-sighted applicants to ensure each position is filled by a good cadet.
The Australian Defence Force does sponsor laser eye surgery with some strict guidelines - unfortunately, it’s quite a Catch-22 - to be eligible for it, you need to be in a job that requires good eyesight. But to get that job, you needed good eyesight in the first place.
I suppose in the case of piloting, they’re probably right - too many applicants, not enough jobs. It’d be a real bummer and an absolute waste if they rejected short sighted people from the military as a whole.
Kacky posted: 03 Mar at 2:40 pm
Yes, they are taking the right precautions. Have the surgery or stay on the ground.
.
heritage b posted: 03 Mar at 2:40 pm
Can’t be helped that 1/3 will never be fighter pilots even if they are able in every otherway. Its unfair as I always wanted to join the police and cannot because I wear glasses. But you just need to find another exciting careeer.
jeeper_peeper321 posted: 03 Mar at 2:40 pm
Well the US Air Force now allows pilot candiates to have PRK or Lasik eye surgery.
They changed the rules in May 2007.
Since the USAF did the study and determined that both procedures, hold up to G Forces, and don’t have the drawbacks of the earlier eye surgerys.
You figure, that soon enough, most western Air Forces will follow suit.
stephen p posted: 03 Mar at 2:40 pm
Would you put your life in the hands of someone that does not have 20/20 vision, when that pilot has the responsibility to see what is around him/her and make split-second decisions about what actions to take.
During air combat, a pilot has to be able to see and react instantly.