RCAF- quick vision question

sleemans_22 · Post by **sleemans_22** » Wed May 23, 2007 6:11 pm

Is lasik corrected eyes an automatic disqualifier for RCAF pilot selection?

Thanks

(I appologize if you get this question often)

shitdisturber · Post by **shitdisturber** » Wed May 23, 2007 6:17 pm

Yup, it's a disqualifier.

sleemans_22 · Post by **sleemans_22** » Wed May 23, 2007 6:24 pm

Is PRK correction acceptable?

shitdisturber · Post by **shitdisturber** » Wed May 23, 2007 6:37 pm

At this time, no correction is acceptable. Some day in the future, like about the year 2100 they may accept vision correction; but it's not going to be any time soon.

Nark · Post by **Nark** » Wed May 23, 2007 6:41 pm

Supply and demand.

Down here: LASIK disqualifies you.
PRK is accepted.

sleemans_22 · Post by **sleemans_22** » Wed May 23, 2007 6:45 pm

Nark wrote:Supply and demand.

Down here: LASIK disqualifies you.
PRK is accepted.

Is PRK accepted only in special circumstances? My eyes are crappy -7.00 at the moment

Learjetpilotjock · Post by **Learjetpilotjock** » Wed May 23, 2007 7:38 pm

Nark wrote:Supply and demand.

Down here: LASIK disqualifies you.
PRK is accepted.

no one cares about the USMC, I think he was asking about the RCAF. I know your really proud about your Navajo career and all but read whats on the label for the thread.

For someone who says the marines is so hard and challenging I am surprised your ALWAYS on here

MZUNGO · Post by **MZUNGO** » Wed May 23, 2007 7:45 pm

no but not knowing that we havent been the RCAF for about 40 years does

sleemans_22 · Post by **sleemans_22** » Wed May 23, 2007 7:53 pm

dylan wrote:no but not knowing that we havent been the RCAF for about 40 years does

o rly?

MrWings · Post by **MrWings** » Wed May 23, 2007 7:59 pm

shitdisturber wrote:Yup, it's a disqualifier.

Only if you tell them.

If you aren't a pilot already, and get it done, there is no way for them to find out.

sleemans_22 · Post by **sleemans_22** » Wed May 23, 2007 8:05 pm

MrWings wrote:
shitdisturber wrote:Yup, it's a disqualifier.
Only if you tell them.

If you aren't a pilot already, and get it done, there is no way for them to find out.

wouldnt there be able to tell from the scarring?

MrWings · Post by **MrWings** » Wed May 23, 2007 8:14 pm

sleemans_22 wrote:wouldnt there be able to tell from the scarring?

Maybe if they used a mircoscope. I don't know.

I just know that a new optomotrist I went to did not know that I had eye surgery.

If they ever did find out you might be kicked out. Lying to get into the military probably isn't the best thing.

TheCheez · Post by **TheCheez** » Wed May 23, 2007 8:24 pm

Before you go steering this guy in the wrong direction....

They will find out before you join. They photograph your eyes specifically checking for scarring in the application process.

Once you're in, however, I'm not 100% sure of.

Nark · Post by **Nark** » Wed May 23, 2007 9:50 pm

lear:

Since I'm always non-stop blabing about my navajo time, me thinks we once knew each other. Care to send me a Private Message?

If I didn't receive 15 or so PM's asking about the USMC I too would say no one cares. However thats not the case now is it.

You are aware that Marines have and do use computers right? Not all of my time is spent in a fighting hole, sharpening a K-bar.

aileron · Post by **aileron** » Wed May 23, 2007 10:57 pm

Feel the love in the room.

Sleemans_22, considering your post on another topic with regard to time spent in northern villages, and this military question, it's obvious you're seriously considering a career in aviation. Unfortunately you're not going to get a serious answer to all your noob questions from this crowd. May I suggest utilizing the MENTOR program on this site.

I remember being seriously disappointed when I turned 13, a million years ago, and learning my vision was deteriorating. This was before corrective surgery could be performed. The air force will not accept recruits, for fighters, without 20/20, then, and I believe it is still the same now - even back in the late 90's when they were offering signing bonuses to recruit pilot applicants. They can afford to wait for the "ideal" candidate, there is plenty of supply for the "jet jock". I'm not sure, however, what the standard is for transport category air force aircraft.

And as far as the "Royal"; this was dropped in 1968 when all three military branches were amalgamated to just the "Canadian Forces". I guess this was the time the government got a great deal on boring uni-uniforms.

rfcPilot · Post by **rfcPilot** » Thu May 24, 2007 4:56 am

Im sitting at -0.75 and -0.50 at the moment, waiting for the CAF to do their medical review in the next year or so.

Rockie · Post by **Rockie** » Thu May 24, 2007 5:27 am

aileron wrote:

Feel the love in the room.

Sleemans_22, considering your post on another topic with regard to time spent in northern villages, and this military question, it's obvious you're seriously considering a career in aviation. Unfortunately you're not going to get a serious answer to all your noob questions from this crowd. May I suggest utilizing the MENTOR program on this site.

I remember being seriously disappointed when I turned 13, a million years ago, and learning my vision was deteriorating. This was before corrective surgery could be performed. The air force will not accept recruits, for fighters, without 20/20, then, and I believe it is still the same now - even back in the late 90's when they were offering signing bonuses to recruit pilot applicants. They can afford to wait for the "ideal" candidate, there is plenty of supply for the "jet jock". I'm not sure, however, what the standard is for transport category air force aircraft.

And as far as the "Royal"; this was dropped in 1968 when all three military branches were amalgamated to just the "Canadian Forces". I guess this was the time the government got a great deal on boring uni-uniforms.

They used to accept people with 500 hours with a reduced vision requirement of V2, but I don't know what numbers that translates to or if they still have that policy. It's worth checking though because not all recruiters are equal in their knowledge of the CFAO's. As for the gentleman who suggested not telling the military about corrective surgery, I strongly recommend you don't do that. I personally would have no trouble CT'ing someone with that kind of attitude as undesirable for the Armed Forces, and I'm sure neither would the military.

Hedley · Post by **Hedley** » Thu May 24, 2007 6:46 am

An old RCAF (yes, real blue uniform RCAF) Squadron Leader once told me, "Do what you've got to do, and tell them what they want to hear".

Not sure if it applies in these circumstances or not ....

Frankly, if you simply want to fly, I'm not sure the military is the best place for you. Remember that the military wants people who are officers first, and pilots a distant second. Expect to spend a lot of your career flying a desk.

rfcPilot · Post by **rfcPilot** » Thu May 24, 2007 6:53 am

Sounds like a good saying in war-time.

Brewguy · Post by **Brewguy** » Thu May 24, 2007 9:56 am

Hedley wrote:...Remember that the military wants people who are officers first...

Exactly!
.... And as for telling them or not - dishonesty is not one of the things the forces is looking for in an officer.

In fact, lying to them is a pretty good way to find yourself in some pretty hot water (the severity of which would depend on exactly when they find out). At the very least your application would be rejected. If you managed to get into the forces before they discovered your lie - you could face charges.

MrWings · Post by **MrWings** » Thu May 24, 2007 10:02 am

MrWings wrote:If they ever did find out you might be kicked out. Lying to get into the military probably isn't the best thing.

BigWillyStyle · Post by **BigWillyStyle** » Thu May 24, 2007 10:21 am

A buddy of mine used to be a recruiter. He says that, sometime soon, the CF pilot job may be split into 3-fighter, transport and helo. The forces is having a hard time with retention, and the no-LASIK policy MIGHT only be confined to fighters, fearing corneal weakness in a high G environment. Now, it's a big might, but it makes sense, because you are not going to pull 6 G's in a Sea King.....well, you might do it ONCE. Like the Marine says, supply and demand. If they can't find people to fly Hercs, the rules will ease. Also, every year, the medical data gets better for LASIK. Which is why I'm getting my degree now, 'cuz it's the officers that fly.

BWS

rfcPilot · Post by **rfcPilot** » Thu May 24, 2007 10:24 am

The CAF already has the fighter, transport, helicopter destinction AFAIK.

Although the Lasik restriction seems off. I have heard from a fairly reliable source that from a medical perspective, new pilots will be allowed in for (most likely) transport... or helo, with glasses for minor corrections. But he has said that there doesnt seem to be any near future for laser correction in the CAF.

Hedley · Post by **Hedley** » Thu May 24, 2007 10:42 am

Supply and demand hits the nail on the head.

For fighters, the RCAF could ask for perfect vision, perfect tan, no cavities, no broken bones, no pattern baldness and a Phd in Aeronautical Engineering, and still probably have too many applicants ... doesn't the 410 (OTU) squadron web page say that it only trains 10 fighter pilots every year for the hornet?

mcrit · Post by **mcrit** » Thu May 24, 2007 11:13 am

Don't look for the vision requirement to change anytime soon, for any a/c type. About 20% of people that walk through the doors at the recruiting centre want to be pilots.
For God's sake don't lie on your application. When you do the aircrew medical they do a specific 'topographic mapping test' that looks specifically for laser surgery.