When most people think of commercial pilots, they picture a sharp, uniformed professional rolling a suitcase—often with a pair of sunglasses perched on their nose. The unique demands of their job also lead many to assume pilots must have perfect uncorrected vision. But that’s a common myth: plenty of commercial pilots wear glasses, and for good reason.
In China, the Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC) mandates that commercial pilots have uncorrected distance vision of at least 0.7 in one eye and corrected vision of 1.0 in both eyes. Even if one eye’s uncorrected vision dips below 0.7, candidates can still qualify if they meet other safety criteria. So it’s no surprise that many pilots rely on glasses or contact lenses to fly safely. Today, we’re breaking down three little-known facts about pilot eyewear—from mandatory rules to the science behind their sunglasses.
If you’re a pilot who wears corrective lenses (like nearsighted pilots), one pair of glasses isn’t enough—you must carry two.
Per CAAC Regulation CCAR-67FS, pilots are required to keep a readily accessible spare pair on them at all times during flights. Why? Imagine mid-flight: your main glasses get scratched by turbulence, break when you lean over the cockpit, or go missing in your bag. A backup pair ensures you can still read instruments, spot other aircraft, and complete the flight safely. Flights also involve constant light changes—bright sun at 35,000 feet, dim cockpit lighting at night—and two pairs let you adapt without missing a critical detail. For pilots, extra glasses aren’t a “nice-to-have”—they’re a non-negotiable safety tool.
We’ve all seen pilots in sunglasses in movies, and it’s easy to think they’re just for style. But those shades work harder than you think—they’re designed to solve three big problems pilots face daily:
At high altitudes, the atmosphere is thinner, so UV rays are 2–3 times stronger than at ground level. Pilot sunglasses block 100% of UVA and UVB rays, which prevents long-term eye damage like cataracts or macular degeneration. This isn’t just comfort—it’s preventive health for a career that keeps them in the sky.
Flights are full of glare: sunlight bouncing off wing surfaces, harsh reflections from clouds, even the glow of digital instrument panels. Glare can blur vision, making it hard to read altitude dials or spot incoming traffic. Pilot sunglasses (often polarized or with anti-glare coatings) cut through this glare, letting pilots see clearly no matter the conditions.
Long-haul flights mean hours of staring at bright screens, adjusting to changing light, and focusing on distant horizons. Sunglasses reduce squinting and eye strain, keeping pilots alert and comfortabl
e—critical for safety when every second counts.
Whether it’s for vision correction or sun protection, pilot eyewear is always about one thing: safety. The next time you see a pilot in glasses or sunglasses, you’ll know the rules, science, and care behind their choice—far beyond just looking cool.
