Ask the Captain: Can pilots wear glasses?
Question: Early on in high school I decided I wanted to be a commercial pilot. I took the military test and scored very high, and they asked me to choose any job I wanted. I said pilot, but they said I was too tall (6'3") and I had glasses, so that was out. Are there still height/weight requirements for pilots, and do they need to have naturally perfect eyesight?
-- submitted by reader Blaine, Utah
Answer: There are some limitations on height but I know several professional pilots who are 6'3" or taller. The limitations usually require that you demonstrate the ability to operate the controls of the airplane. Otherwise, many operators do not publish a height or weight minimum or maximum.
Perfect vision is not a requirement. There are many professional pilots who wear glasses. The FAA has vision limitations that are tested during the aeromedical physical examination, but glasses are permitted.
Q: Captain, I measure 4'11". Is there a minimum height to be a pilot? Also, can a person who wears glasses be a pilot?
-- Lee, TSJS
A: It varies from operator to operator. So long as you can demonstrate the ability to reach and operate the controls, height is usually not a problem.
Yes a person can be a pilot if they wear glasses, I wore glasses much of my adult life until having Lasik in 1999. I was hired by an airline when I wore glasses.
Q: What is required to become a pilot?
-- Ryan, Pennsylvania
A: There are several different types of pilots: The private pilot can fly for recreation and take passengers with him or her. This requires approximately 50 hours of flight training, experience and successfully passing written and practical examinations.
A commercial pilot license allows a pilot to charge for his or her services. There are specific training requirements and a minimum experience of 200 hours. Again there are written and practical examinations.
The airline transport pilot certificate is the high license granted by the FAA. It requires 1,500 hours of flight experience plus a very comprehensive written and practical examination. This license has been said to be the PhD of piloting.