Commercial pilots can wear glasses, as the requirement is not for perfect uncorrected vision but for vision that can be corrected to specific standards set by aviation authorities. The ability to see clearly is a requirement for safely operating an aircraft, and modern regulations recognize that this clarity can be achieved through corrective means. These requirements ensure that a pilot’s visual acuity is consistently maintained at a level that supports the complex demands of flight, from reading cockpit instrumentation to maintaining visual separation from other traffic. The use of prescription lenses is a fully acceptable method of meeting these standards.
The Required Aviation Medical Certificate
The regulatory framework for pilot health is centered on the Aviation Medical Certificate, a document commercial pilots must possess to exercise their privileges. Operating an aircraft for compensation or hire necessitates holding a First Class Medical Certificate, which represents the highest standard of physical qualification in civil aviation. This certificate is issued by an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME), a physician authorized by the governing body, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States.
The AME conducts a comprehensive medical examination, which includes a detailed assessment of the pilot’s vision, hearing, and overall physical and mental health. The First Class certificate verifies that the pilot meets all the medical standards for the most demanding flight operations. Without a current and valid First Class Medical Certificate, a commercial pilot cannot legally act as pilot-in-command of an air carrier operation.
Specific Vision Requirements for Commercial Pilots
The visual standards for a First Class Medical Certificate are specific and apply to various distances to account for all phases of flight. Distant visual acuity must be 20/20 or better in each eye separately, with or without correction, ensuring the pilot can clearly see objects far away, such as other aircraft or runway markings. Near vision, necessary for reading charts and instruments close to the body, must be 20/40 or better in each eye separately, measured at 16 inches.
Pilots aged 50 and older are required to meet an intermediate vision standard, which is tested at 32 inches and must be 20/40 or better in each eye separately. This intermediate range is important for scanning the instrument panel and viewing the Flight Management System displays. Furthermore, all commercial pilots must demonstrate the ability to perceive and distinguish the colors necessary for safe flight duties, such as interpreting navigation lights and color-coded cockpit displays. Color vision testing for new applicants mandates the use of approved computerized tests, such as the City Occupational Colour Assessment & Diagnosis (CAD) or the Rabin Cone Test, to ensure a standardized assessment.
Using Corrective Lenses and Vision Surgery
The use of both glasses and contact lenses is permitted to achieve the required visual acuity standards, but their necessity results in a restriction being placed on the medical certificate. This restriction mandates that the pilot must wear the corrective lenses while exercising the privileges of their airman certificate. If a pilot is dependent on corrective lenses to meet the distant vision standard, they are required to have a spare set of glasses readily available in the cockpit during flight duties.
Refractive surgeries, such as LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) and PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy), are acceptable methods of vision correction for pilots. After undergoing a procedure, the pilot must cease flying until their post-operative vision has stabilized and they have been cleared by their eye care specialist. For LASIK, the no-fly period can be as short as two weeks, while PRK typically requires a longer stabilization period of 12 weeks due to the nature of the corneal healing process.
The pilot must obtain a specific status report from their treating eye care professional detailing that the vision meets the FAA’s standards and that there are no adverse effects, such as night glare, corneal haze, or fluctuating visual acuity. This documentation, often using a form like the “Eyes – Refractive Surgery Status Summary,” is submitted to the Aviation Medical Examiner or the Aerospace Medical Certification Division for review. Once the pilot’s vision is determined to be stable and free of complications, the AME may issue the medical certificate.
Maintaining Your Vision Clearance
Once a commercial pilot is issued a First Class Medical Certificate, it is subject to frequent renewal to ensure ongoing compliance with all health standards. For pilots over the age of 40, the First Class privileges of the certificate are valid for six calendar months, while pilots under 40 can exercise First Class privileges for 12 calendar months. The pilot must undergo a new examination with an AME at the end of the required validity period to maintain their commercial status.
This regular re-examination requires the pilot to demonstrate that their vision continues to meet the standards for distant, near, and intermediate acuity. If a pilot notices a significant deterioration in their vision between scheduled medical exams, they are obligated to immediately cease flight operations until they can be re-evaluated by an AME. The continuous maintenance of visual acuity extends beyond the periodic medical assessment.