Microlighters

Good day,

I am thinking of getting my PPL. The only medical reason at the moment I think that would probably stop my would be that I am blind in one eye.
Would I be able to get a PPL, or would I only be able to get a lower level licence?

Plainman, unfortunately does not seem possible for any class, according to this CAA extract. 3.1.1.c and 3.2 below.

3. VISUAL STANDARDS

3.1 General (All 4 classes)

(1) An applicant may not have -

(a) Any condition or congenital abnormality of either eye or its attachments likely to impede the safe exercise of the privileges of the licence;

(b) Any abnormality of visual fields or significant defect of binocular function;

(c) Any manifest squint, or large errors of eye muscle balance (phoria). The acceptable limits for ocular muscle balance are 12 prism dioptres for exophoria, 6 dioptres for esophoria; and 1.5 dioptre for hyperphoria measured at distance. If corrective lenses are required, phoria must be measured while using the appropriate corrective lenses;

(d) Any anatomical or functional monocularity or substandard vision in one eye at initial issue of a medical certificate. However, medical conclusion may permit experienced licence holders who develop monocularity or substandard vision to be granted a medical certificate with appropriate restrictions following a period sufficient to permit adjustment to this condition.

(2) Monocularity means that either an eye is absent, or its vision cannot be corrected to better than 6/24.
(3) Substandard vision in one eye means central vision better than 6/24 but worse than 6/9, with normal visual fields.



(4) For monocularity, the appropriate minimum restrictions initially are as follows:

(a) "If flying open cockpit aircraft, protective goggles not restricting visual field must be worn". (This must remain as a permanent restriction);

(b) "Any accompanying pilot must be made aware of the holder's monocular vision". (This must remain as a permanent restriction);

(c) "Not valid for flight as pilot-in-command by day or night until a satisfactory flight test has been completed with a flight examiner in each case". (This restriction may be removed at subsequent assessment, according to the results of the flight test, or amended to the endorsement in (d) below);

(d) "Not valid for flight as pilot-in-command by night until a satisfactory flight test has been completed with a flight examiner". (This restriction may be removed at subsequent assessment, according to the result of the flight test).

We have a flying buddy at Rhinopark that flies a Thunderbird, blind or partially blind in one eye so sure it can be done.

Hi Plainman, welcome to the forum Sir.

I think kloot is probably 100% right, Unfortunately, your condition (like epilepsy) will almost certainly prohibit a class 2 medical (which is required for a PPL) but...go see an Aviation Doc and see what they say....there may be a possibility you can be issued with a class 4 enabling you to do your NPL? (much better than a PPL anyway )

The "Flying Quack" will give you the best advice after a few tests. These Doc's are based all over the country and I'm sure you can find one close to you. Dont bother phoning the CAA... they will just say no

As far as I'm concerened, if you can pass the same test I did with two eyes...I dont see the issue at all. Just remember though, even though you probably see better with one eye than I do with two... peripheral vision is very important in this game...

Like I said...go talk to the quack. If they shoot you down then I can assure you you will find many guys who are willing to give you a "taste".

Best of luck to you.

JvTonder wrote:We have a flying buddy at Rhinopark that flies a Thunderbird, blind or partially blind in one eye so sure it can be done.

We have another oke at Rhino, Jaco v Tonder who normally flies with both eyes closed.

Plainman, you have a PM!!!

Christo

A guy visited me the other day. He had a PPL and 2000 hr's and only 1 eye. So it can be done. He said it took a lot of time and effort to convinced the MRB that he could see enough to be safe but he eventually did. I think you should quite easily be able to get a Class 4 and wityh some effort a class 2 with some restrictions.

ZS-NEL wrote:

JvTonder wrote:We have a flying buddy at Rhinopark that flies a Thunderbird, blind or partially blind in one eye so sure it can be done.

We have another oke at Rhino, Jaco v Tonder who normally flies with both eyes closed.

Ja ja maar dit is 'n k @ K idee, die prop gekopery word nou baie duur!!

My instructor, Rob Grimwood, is blind in one eye. He is the current British Microlight champion, the European Champion, the World Champion and has been World Air Games Champion (not sure if he is currently WAG champ). It doesn't seem to have affected his flying capabilities. This is in the UK so I can't comment on SA regs.

Andrew Micklem

I have a friend living in Clocolan. Blind in one eye and been flying for years PPL.
He stated that he was limited to fly no further than 100 miles from his base.
Maybe things have changed since???

Plainman,

Enige nuus Meneer?

Christo

Hi,

Ja ek het goeie nuus gekry.

Nie seker of die persoon ook hier op microlighters is nie, maar het met FLYMED van AVCOM gekorrespondeer. Volgens hom sal ek kan, moet net vir meer as 6 maande visie in slegs een oog hê. Ek was in n ongeluk standerd 6 wat dit veroorsaak het - so reeds aangepas daarby - droom om te vlieg kom al van voor daardie tyd af aan, ek ek het gedink dis als verby.

Ek wil egter steeds eers my medies laat doen voor ek begin vlieg. Nie seker hoelank dit gaan neem by CAA nie.

As alles goed gaan, wil ek September reeds begin met PPL - ek reeds 2 skole ingedagte in die weskaap - ek woon in die boland. Kwotasies is gekry, geld aan die spaar, en die meisie is ook al gewaarsku

Ek werk voltyds en swot deeltyds, wil net graag eers klaarmaak voordat ek begin met PPL, ek is te bang die vliegery gaan my uit my loopbaan swottings uithou...

Baie dankie vir die wat insette gelewer het.

Groete

Plainman, n mens "sien" jou drome en ambisie in jou hart met meer as twee ooge. Aanhouer wen, ....go for it
Groete
Jean.

My oorlede Pa het sig in sy een oog verloor as jong seun. NIEMAND behalwe die naaste familie het dit ooit eers geweet nie.
As kinders was ons gereeld verbaas dat hy dinge ver beter as ons kon sien. Eers toe ons ouer word het ons bewus geraak daarvan dat hy blind in een oog was. Behalwe dat hy soms sy kop onnodig gestamp het omdat sy naby diepte-persepsie dalk aangetas was het hy veilig bestuur totdat hy oorlede was op 78.

Sterkte Plainman, volg jou droom. Kom drink gerus koffie by Morningstar dan vat ek jou graag vir 'n Gyro vlug oor die strand as aanmoediging. Jou meisie ook, daarna sal sy makliker saamspeel, glo my!

Len

Great News Plainman.

All the best....GO FOR IT!