What can you fly after PRK surgery?

Tobes

5-Year Member
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Dec 10, 2011
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Hello, I've been told that after PRK surgery if you get a pilot slot it is typically for slow-movers (ie, cargo and bombers) instead of fighters, is this true? I'm primarily looking at Naval Aviation.
 
somebody should tell my nephew if that's true... he had PRK while at the Academy, and he's determined to drive something fast (manned, not remote), though he has to finish at MIT before he reports to Pensacola.
 
I've not heard of any restrictions IF IF IF the PRK is done by the military AFTER one is either a cadet or officer.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
I've not heard of any restrictions IF IF IF the PRK is done by the military AFTER one is either a cadet or officer.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

Ditto. Generally speaking, one is medically qualified to fly or not.
Now, there are a couple exceptions. I know one guy who was too tall to fly F-16s. One student lost part of his leg in an accident, and I think he was restricted from flying in ejection seat aircraft.
 
Hello, I've been told that after PRK surgery if you get a pilot slot it is typically for slow-movers (ie, cargo and bombers) instead of fighters, is this true? I'm primarily looking at Naval Aviation.

I speak for Navy only (but pretty sure it's the same across the board):

That information is incorrect. In the Navy you are either qualified to be a pilot/NFO or you are not. The only time you will be restricted from certain airframes would be due to anthroprometric (height/seated height/etc) incompatibility. There are also a few other esoteric restrictions for pregnant pilots/NFO's and some other categories that wouldn't come into play until after you had been in and something potentially happened to you.
 
I know a woman in the jets pipeline who received PRK at the (Naval) Academy. According to her, it's fairly common.
 
Thank you, everyone. Jets or Submarines will be an interesting decision down the road.
 
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