can you answer this?

[teenadie]

I cross-posted this, not to annoy anyone, but just thinking an ATC could also answer it. Sorry if the cross-posting bothers you--forgive me!

__________________________________________________ _______________

Can you please explain what this means concerning the visions standards to be an ATC? My son has wanted to be an ATC since middle school and is to start college this fall in the Business/Aviation program at Geneva College in PA. I am concerned about his vision. He is correctable to 20/20 (Dr says vision is better than 20/20 with current correction) but his uncorrected vision is worse than 20/200. According to our eye dr, he is an excellent candidate for LASIK surgery after he turns 21. I would like to find this out before he gets into the program. It was advised for him to have a Class 2 Medical done now to see if he is qualified.

The applicant must demonstrate: Distant visual acuity of 20/20 in each eye separately, without correction, or distant visual acuity of 20/200 or better in each eye separately, with correction to 20/20 in each eye. Glasses or contact lenses are permitted.


Thanks.

I also just found this--which to me just means you have to have correctable vision to 20/20 not matter what your uncorrected vision is. Am I correct in the way I am reading this?? which says is current as of 4/24/2008 http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text....2.1.2&idno=14

§ 67.103 Eye.

Eye standards for a first-class airman medical certificate are:
(a) Distant visual acuity of 20/20 or better in each eye separately, with or without corrective lenses. If corrective lenses (spectacles or contact lenses) are necessary for 20/20 vision, the person may be eligible only on the condition that corrective lenses are worn while exercising the privileges of an airman certificate.

Kristina
A Concerned Mom!

[JT ATC]

Pretty much you need 20/20 vision. Doesn't matter whether you wear glasses, contacts, or nothing. Depth perception is the one I might worry about.

BTW...is that Zionsville, IN by chance??

[Johnsc81]

Originally Posted by teenadie

It was advised for him to have a Class 2 Medical done now to see if he is qualified.

I would be careful about the Class II, unless he is going to actually fly, it could be a waste of money. The ATC Physical is Different than a Flying Class Physical. As Long as he has 20/20 or better vision, with or without glasses he should have no problems at all.

[teenadie]

Thanks for the reply. He needs a Class 2 for the Aviation program at the Community College of Beaver County.

I will continue to research this situation and hopefully it will end up as you say.

At this point, my son's depth perception is not a problem. On a side note.....he is a good baseball player--hits the ball well and plays great at first base.

I will post again when I find out some definate solid answers to my questions. I am waiting for a phone call from the FAA Eastern Region Aerospace Medical Divison. They asked me to fax my son's RX to them to review by the dr.