DLENAHAN@USC-ISIE@sri-unix (09/17/82)
From: Den Lenahan <DLENAHAN at USC-ISIE> I suspect that Schwarz & Henry were both close to the truth on the astronaut vs glasses issue. I think, however, the restriction is probably a throwback to the military requirement that requires 20-20 vision to enter pilot training. The emphasis is on the word ENTER. Once in pilot training, and even more so having completed it, a waiver to permit glasses was an easy thing to come by. Some enterprizing lads got into pilot training despite glasses. Many entered as navigators (where the requirement is less than 20-20), then, after serving a tour in that capacity, applied for pilot training. (And usually were accepted, as they had already proven their ability to be trained and to function in the airborne environment.) One of my own students was even more clever. He entered the Air Force (wearing glasses) in the hospital administration field, then used his position to get a waiver from the Air Training Command surgeon general. (Incidentally, he was an excellent jet jockey.) But, as Henry surmises about astronauts, the candidates for military pilot training are numerous enough that there has been as yet no need to drop the 20-20 requirement (though, as noted, it is waived when advantageous). I suspect that, given high enough qualifications in other areas, NASA probably would consider waiving the 20-20 bit as well. Still, as someone mentioned a few issues ago, isn't there anyone on this net who has an inroad with NASA and can get us the unblemished truth? Dennis -------