To put it straightforward, If I have an astigmatism over 3.0 Diopters, are my dreams of becoming an Air Force pilot over with? I've always aspired to become a pilot, and nothing has ever been able to change my interests. Is this waiverable ? Can any surgery in the USAF help?
I appreciate any response.
Visual Acuity
Qualification for potential flying duties requires uncorrected distant visual acuity no worse than 20/50 (pilot) and 20/200 (combat systems officer), correctable to 20/20 in each eye. Uncorrected near visual acuity worse than 20/20 (pilot) and 20/40 (combat systems officer) must be correctable to 20/20 in each eye.
Refractive Error
The refractive error limits to qualify for potential flying duties are +2.00/-1.00 in any meridian and 0.75 astigmatism (pilot) and +3.00/-2.25 in any meridian and 2.00 astigmatism (combat systems officer).
That's copied and pasted from the 2013-2014 USAFA online catalog. Maybe that will help some. I'm no expert (heck I'm just a 2021 appointee), but I don't think it would be waiverable if it's outside of their vision standards for being a pilot. I could be wrong, but I don't think Uncle Sam would want someone flying multi-million dollar aircraft with vision poor enough that it had to be waived.
There are waivers, but I would assume they are contingent on 20/20 corrected vision. I was at a 2.25 and 2.50 correction as a cadet.
As always, the needs of the Air Force apply.
And, sometimes those requirements and needs change.
My DD (2015) was out of the waiver range, but ended up getting an exception to policy. She will be going to ENJJPT when she finishes grad school. It can happen. She was always told, don't take no for an answer until no other options existed.
Visual Acuity
Qualification for potential flying duties requires uncorrected distant visual acuity no worse than 20/50 (pilot) and 20/200 (combat systems officer), correctable to 20/20 in each eye. Uncorrected near visual acuity worse than 20/20 (pilot) and 20/40 (combat systems officer) must be correctable to 20/20 in each eye.
Refractive Error
The refractive error limits to qualify for potential flying duties are +2.00/-1.00 in any meridian and 0.75 astigmatism (pilot) and +3.00/-2.25 in any meridian and 2.00 astigmatism (combat systems officer).
That's copied and pasted from the 2013-2014 USAFA online catalog. Maybe that will help some. I'm no expert (heck I'm just a 2021 appointee), but I don't think it would be waiverable if it's outside of their vision standards for being a pilot. I could be wrong, but I don't think Uncle Sam would want someone flying multi-million dollar aircraft with vision poor enough that it had to be waived.
I'm not entirely sure about the terms in your comment. I've received a CSO slot but know I have vision issues. If you can help me understand it would be much appreciated! Here are my vision stats:
- I am nearsighted due to astigmatism, with my right eye at 20/40 and my left at 20/50. I wear glasses/contact lenses to correct it back to 20/20. Should I be worried for when the time comes to get my flight physical?