Do you need to have perfect vision in both eyes to fly?
Skylar,
Welcome to the forum, below I’ve linked a “Synopsis of Medical Standards” per the FAA. To my knowledge as long as your vision can be corrected for the below charted values, it shouldn’t be an issue. I would recommend reaching out to an AME if you are concerned or questioning your vision.
Brady
1 Like
Skyler,
No, the medical requirements are not nearly as strict in the civilian world as is the military. You have to be able to pass the vision portion of the AME examination, but corrective lenses and contacts can be utilized.
Hannah
1 Like
Skylar,
You vision needs to be correctable to 20/20.
Adam
Skylar,
The rules are a little more nuanced than just requiring you to be corrected to 20/20. I know a pilot that has one eye, so there are exceptions made if the applicant meets various FAA criteria. It is best to check with a FAA Medical Examiner for the final answer.
Chris
Hi thank you for getting back to me, where would I be able to have my vision tested to see if I can qualify for a commercial pilot?
What is a FAA medical examiner and where can I find one?
Where could I find a place to get tested to see if my vision is ok for flying?
Sklar
You need to find an AME (Aviation Medical Examiner) in your area.
This will help: https://designee.faa.gov/#/designeeLocator
Adam
What name do I type in the field? It’s asking for a first and last for the AME
No need to, just put in your zip code and it’ll list those in your area.
Adam
All it says is no records found?
Thinking the site might be down?
Try again or do a Google search.
Adam
Adam, I was just on the AME finder website a week or so ago and I saw the same thing Skylar is seeing. If i just put in a zipcode, i got “no results found”
I tried again putting in the first and last of the AME who deferred me last time around, his city state and zip and voila, he came right up.
Must be a website glitch. OP might want to google AME near me or something like that, get the name and location and then punch all that into amefinder
Thank you I will try that!!
The FAA AME locator is garbage. The only way I have found is to select your state and read through everybody in your state. Do not type in a city or a zip code.
Google also works pretty well for finding AMEs.
Thank you for that I found one near by! Do you know how much it costs for an exam?
Skylar,
AME’s prices vary across the nation from $100 and up. It is best to ask your AME when you consult and inquire with them what their fee is.
Brady
I’m still new at figuring out the different kinds of pilots and classes but if you’re a second-class pilot (cargo deliveries, etc) are you gone for days at a time? I’m trying to find certain careers or jobs of being a pilot where I’m not gone for weeks at a time from home, as I have two young kids here but I really want to pursue becoming a pilot!
Skylar,
There is no such thing as a “second class” pilot. You might be referring to the various classes of medical certificates, which is a vey different thing. Almost all pilot jobs involve being gone for many days at a time, by definition pilots fly people to far away places. I would recommend taking a look at our “Schedules” section as it is pretty reflective of the schedules most pilots have.
Chris