Monocular Visioned Pilots

[jpharrell]

Each time I take the 3rd class medical exam there is a peripheral vision test and a depth perception test. I just assumed that would disqualify a person with vision in only one eye. I'm surprised to hear that apparently it does not. But now I'm curious - how does that work? Can the AME grant the 3rd class certificate on the spot with that condition or do you have to appeal it to the FAA?

[iwannarv]

Originally Posted by jpharrell

Can the AME grant the 3rd class certificate on the spot with that condition or do you have to appeal it to the FAA?

In my experience, the first time it had to be sent to OKC for further review. After that my AME was able to grant additional medicals on the spot. When I got my 2nd class, however, it again had to be appealed to the FAA the first time, then after AME gave it on the spot, also.

Nothing ever came back regarding issues with my eyes (I guess since I have two good ones uncorrected still) ... Seasonal allergies they were more concerned about than depth issues. It may be different if you have sight in only one eye, however.

[gib]

I lost the sight in my right eye at the age of 49. To make a long story short I have regained my sight six year later but only 20/50 uncorrected, 20/25 with a contact. It was very hard to lose depth perception at that age. I made it work but I am so glad to have at least the 20/25 now. Everything is so much sharper with the contact in. The body can adapt to many things.

[jbDC9]

Originally Posted by jpharrell

Each time I take the 3rd class medical exam there is a peripheral vision test and a depth perception test. I just assumed that would disqualify a person with vision in only one eye. I'm surprised to hear that apparently it does not. But now I'm curious - how does that work? Can the AME grant the 3rd class certificate on the spot with that condition or do you have to appeal it to the FAA?

I forget what type of vision I have, but I know it's outta whack. Strasbismus I think? Whatever it's called, my eyes are slightly divergent and have a wee bit of double vision. I'm not sure how long it's been there, but no eye doc through childhood or teenage years caught it (I've been wearing glasses/contacts since I was a kid). It wasn't until I was a freight dog with a few thousand hours and went to a new AME who found it. I tried to do the depth perception test and couldn't do it... no worries though, he issued my 1st class medical certificate and sent me on my way.

Fast forward to a month or so later and I get a letter in the mail from the Feds in OKC with a waiver, a Statement of Demonstrated Ability regarding an "eye muscle imbalance". Well huh... okay, good enough to fly. Funny thing though, the FAA doc never really explained in detail to me as to what it was all about! I flew with that waiver for 10 years before an eye doctor explained what was up with my eyes and how the brain just compensates for it. But, now that's it's been explained to me, I'm aware of it and actually see the problem. Cr@p! It's not a big deal really, more of an annoyance than anything.

[SteinAir]

Being blind in one eye does not automatically disqualify you from anything aviation related. I know quite a few pilots with similar issues, but a friend of mine that is completely blind in one eye manages to do pretty well; you can see HERE (oh, and he does it in the dark too)!.

Cheers,
Stein

[N355DW]

Originally Posted by SteinAir

Being blind in one eye does not automatically disqualify you from anything aviation related. I know quite a few pilots with similar issues, but a friend of mine that is completely blind in one eye manages to do pretty well; you can see HERE (oh, and he does it in the dark too)!.

Cheers,
Stein

I was there for that show, very cool. Kind of felt sorry for Matt, though, they kept calling him "the son of a Legend." Poor guy, wonder when folks will think of him as his own legend!

More to the subject, my first plane was a Citabria that I sold to a fellow with only one eye, and with the sale I gave him a BFR, he did fine, and I remember being pretty impressed, after he told me I tried closing one eye as we were on approach and landing - yikes!

[tinman451]

I was diagnosed with Vertical Diplopia a few years ago. In my case, I stack images one on top of the other. About the only good thing to come out of my condition is that when I blow a landing, I can always say that I thought I was landing on the "other" runway... (The one on top or the one on bottom...take your pick depending on the degree of impact...) I actually enjoy watching fireworks also as I get twice the show that everyone else sees...

[Bruch Airfield]

Originally Posted by SteinAir

Being blind in one eye does not automatically disqualify you from anything aviation related. I know quite a few pilots with similar issues, but a friend of mine that is completely blind in one eye manages to do pretty well; you can see HERE (oh, and he does it in the dark too)!.

Cheers,
Stein

Hey Stein, don't forget your brother. Like some earlier posters, I too have strabismus. Because of this I was "lucky" enough to be the first person I know to require a FAA examiner do my check ride instead of the local DE. Not only did I have to combine it with a "medical checkride" for my SODA, but I was asked if I was ok with having two examiners so the new guy at the FAA office could get checked out during my checkride! Pretty intimidating for a student pilot who had never had more then 1 passenger (instructor). The one question I remember for the medical portion was while we were being instructed by ATC to do a 360 to wait for a DC10 to land at Rapid City. The examiner needed to find out if I could see another airplane in flight-Instructor: "Can you see the other aircraft?" Me: "Um, you mean that DC10 right there on final, yep I see it fine!" Instructor: "O.K. we're good to go." Checkride was actually a great experience with two great examiners!!