Just curious....

[Kritchlow]

What is the reason for the “do you ever use contacts while flying” question? And, if I decide to start using them between medicals is it reportable?

I fly for a living and maintain a class 1.

Thanks

 

[lbfjrmd]

FAA admits it's poorly worded question. The use of a contact use (in one eye) is not allowed. Contacts are allowed.

 

[BillTIZ]

Contacts are allowed. Medical certificates no longer say glasses are required. They now say “corrective lenses” giving you the option of what type.

When I was on active duty, I had to be able to remove the contacts, put on glasses and be able to read the 20/20 line right away. AF required to keep glasses in flight suit pocket if flying wearing contacts.

 

[bbchien]

FAA admits is it s poorly worded question. The use of a contact use (in one eye) is not allowed. Contacts are allowed.

look at the LGA MD-80 accident i think 1993. IOE captain had one contact for near, one for far, descended 4 dots low with the silent coPilot. Ended up badly in the water with loss of life.

The so called “near vision” correction (one for near, other for far by contact lenses), “est prohibido”.

With only one eye working at a time, not good

 

[azure]

FAA admits it's poorly worded question. The use of a contact use (in one eye) is not allowed. Contacts are allowed.

Is that a categorical ban, or only in cases where the result would be monovision? There was a time for about 5 years when I had one eye plano, the other -0.75. I wore a contact in the -0.75 eye and had no trouble getting a 3rd class during that time.

 

[PeterNSteinmetz]

I have been wondering about that rule for some time. Thanks Bruce for the point out. Here is the link to the report for what appears to be that accident - https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAR9703.pdf

 

[PeterNSteinmetz]

Though I wonder now if there is another incident. This was 1996 with no loss of life (3 minor injuries) and not in the water.

Appears the mono-vision was a possible contributing factor when there were a lot of other problems with visual cues for the landing.

Evidently the Air Force has performed some tests suggesting that acute loss of vision in one eye interferes with judgement of height on landings and steep approaches.