Requirements for pilots?

Question

what are the requirements for being a pilot (other than going to aviation school)? i heard that you have to have 20/20 vision naturally, is that true?

Answer 1

20/20 vision correctable with glasses - no problems.

Check your medical standards at this resource

http://pilots-medical.com

Answer 2

From my understanding it is true... but I also think that there were some changes to this rule recently...

Read about Orlin Sorensen's story here:

http://improvingmyeyesight.com/rebuild_y...

Hope this helps...

Answer 3

In the US, your distant vision has to be correctable to 20/20.  Even in the US air force, you don't have to have natural 20/20 vision anymore (20/70's the limit).

Answer 4

1) No, you don't need 20/20 vision to be a commercial pilot. As long as your vision is correctable with glasses you'll be fine as long as you can pass the other medical requirements. However, given a choice between two otherwise equally qualified candidates, the airlines will usually choose the applicant with better eyesight. Fortunately, such a deficit in qualified pilots is forecast for the next 20 years, it shouldn't be a problem for you.

2) You cannot become a pilot if you have any major medical conditions such as epilepsy, if you have ever been arrested for drugs or on a felony charge, or if you have been arrested for drunk driving. You must also be of "good moral character" and be able to read, write and speak English fluently.

3) If you don't have a college degree it will be hard to compete with other airline applicants who do. In general, without a degree, you only have a 25% chance of getting hired. With a 2 year degree, that goes up to about 50%. Without a 4-year degree you will have to compensate by having more flying hours. 10 years work experience is about what it takes to be hired by a major airline if you don't have a 4-year degree.

4) While you have to attend flight school to earn your ratings, you don't need a college degree in aviation. Fact is, the airlines only care if you have a degree; the subject is not important to them, so study something that interests you. Something that perhaps can also employ you if an airline career doesn't pan out. A degree shows an airline that you have at least some brains, you are at least somewhat trainable, and that you can finish something you started. They don't want to waste time and money trying to train someone who can't hack it.

Answer 5

you dont have to have 20/20 vision. If you dont it has to be corrected with contacts or glasses. Just think of all the old guys flying lol. You do have to have perfect vision to fly military planes though

Answer 6

It depends on:

1- Where you live, different countries have differing requirements

2- What type of flying you want to do, private, commercial, airline, military

Generally speaking, for private and commercial/airline jobs one just needs correctable vision.  This may be done via glasses and contacts.

For the USAF and USN/USMC one needs not worse than 20/70: 20/40 correctable 20/20.  Laser surgery is accepted via a waiver approval.