Do I need perfect vision to become a pilot in South Africa?
No — you do not need perfect, uncorrected vision to become a pilot in South Africa. The SACAA aviation medical assesses your corrected vision, meaning glasses or contact lenses are perfectly acceptable as long as they bring your vision within the required standard.
What the medical checks
For a Class 1 medical (required for commercial training), your vision must be correctable to 6/6 in each eye. Colour vision is also tested, as it is essential for reading instruments and navigation lights.
We strongly recommend booking an aviation medical before you commit to any flight training costs. A medical assessment can identify any issues early, potentially saving you hundreds of thousands of rand.
