Do You Need Perfect Vision to Become a Pilot?
When people ask, “ Do I need perfect eyesight to become a pilot? ” , what they usually mean is whether uncorrected, natural 20/20 vision is a must. The good news is, it’s not. You don’t need flawless eyesight - you just need to meet the FAA’s vision standards, either naturally or with glasses or contacts. That’s one of the most common questions future students bring up at Pelican Flight School . Before we get into FAA rules, let’s clear up what 20/20 actually means. What Is 20/20 Vision? 20/20 is a way of measuring distance visual acuity - basically, how clearly you can see something that’s 20 feet away. But having 20/20 doesn’t mean your vision is “perfect.” It simply means you hit a benchmark that’s considered normal. And under FAA medical rules, it’s perfectly fine to reach that level with prescription lenses. If you’re applying for a pilot certificate - whether it’s for private flying or to build a career as a professional aviator - you’ll need to pass an FAA vision exam as p...