Visions of Flight: Pilot License Requirements

There are few things more liberating than taking control of an aircraft. What seemed insurmountable on solid earth is suddenly no more than an inconvenience; trips are shorter, views are better, and it is as though the sky belongs to you alone. The first step to getting off the ground, however, is obtaining a pilot licence. This requires a medical examination to ensure that you are not a danger to other planes and pilots, and one essential component of that exam is an evaluation of your eyesight. Many hopeful pilots assume that they must have 20/20 vision—without the aid of glasses, contacts, or laser vision correction—if they want to have a career in aviation. But what is the real story?

Licence types and expectations

Four basic types of pilot licenses exist in Canada: a recreational permit, a private licence, a commercial licence, and an airline transport licence. You can begin by applying for either a recreational permit or private pilot’s licence, both of which require you to undergo a medical exam. In order to pass this exam, you must have 20/30 vision in your dominant eye—corrected or uncorrected. In other words, glasses, contacts, and laser vision correction all meet the requirements. It is also important to note the difference in-between a pilot permit, which is valid only in Canada, and a licence, which follows international guidelines and allows you to fly almost anywhere in the world. If you would like to move from flying for fun to flying as a career, you must first upgrade your permit to a private licence. Once you have obtained a private licence, you will need a certain number of hours in the cockpit and additional training to start the commercial upgrade process.

The LASIK advantage

Improved vision makes for better piloting. Being able to spot ground hazards upon landing and accurately judge distances while airborne is essential for any private or commercial pilot. LASIK MD offers laser vision correction tailored to your needs, using state-of-the-art laser technology. With endorsements from Transport Canada, more potential pilots than ever are using LASIK to assist them in reaching the minimum qualification standards that would allow them to spend time navigating the vast, open airways of the world.