Recommendations

Below are some comments from just a few of our customers.

Bob Szulc cleaning the bits that most cleaners leave behind.

Bob Szulc

Son of Polish immigrants from the time of the second world war.

Taught to fly in gliders by 'Lefty' Kurylowicz, an ace from one of the Polish squadrons which took part in the Battle of Britain.

Later took up power flying, tugging at Lasham, and then more serious flying - twins and IMC under instruction from Martin Bevan of Birmingham. Had over 700 hrs power flying and over 1000 hours gliding when I moved to Poland and due to lack of time, had to give up flying. Now my (new) wife is supporting me in my quest to get back into flying (thats a new one for most of us I guess) and of course the first hurdle to clear was the medical. It seems that the eyesight 'ain't what it used to be' but I saw Aviation Optical and Medicals advert in a flying magazine, contacted them and got 'the full service'. I flew in from Poland in the morning, went through all (and I mean ALL) possible eye tests, including a cockpit simulation - which was very educational, had time to visit the air museum at Coventry airport and left their practise in the afternoon with a new set of glasses, at a fair price, and still had time to spare to catch my flight back to Poland. A VERY productive and satisfying day.

Thank you to all at Aviation Optical and Medical.

After quite a few years of prescription glasses I have always had the problem of trying to explain to the opticians exactly what I need for flying (and other purposes). Of course they always claim to know what is needed but never quite seem to deliver exactly as promised. When Aviation Optical appeared I thought this could be the answer to my problems – essentially I needed varifocals but could never get on with them, which left the problem of always having to push glasses up and down as required. Bifocals enabled me to pass the medical but weren’t very clever in practice.

When I visited the practice at Coventry I was very impressed with all aspects of the service, they really understood what I was trying to explain about the different forms of flying that I do and could not be more helpful. With their help and the latest technology employed in varifocals, I have finally got a pair of glasses that does all that I need.

Their knowledge and service was first class. I will be back (but hopefully not too soon).

Thanks Guys for making my life a bit easier.

Steve Farrant

PPL (A), PPL (H), CPL (B)

I fly Tigermoth G-ANMY, built in 1942 and in original condition. As it’s an open cockpit biplane, with a notoriously draughty rear cockpit (where P1 flies the Tiger) I need good eye protection. With the need for full time corrected vision as well, I’ve struggled to find the best combination of the goggles over time and ill fitting goggles that result in tears.

I spotted Aviation Optical in a flying magazine and got in touch. Subsequently, I flew GMY into Coventry airport with a fellow member of the a/c group and had a full eye test and fit for a pair of authentic leather flying goggles with inset lenses. They have proved to be just the job, they look right in the Tiger (important for us vintage buffs) and they have solved the vision & protection problem once and for all. I found Aviation Optical excellent to deal with throughout; prompt, professional, well equipped, friendly and responsive. I’ve had no hesitation in recommending them to friends and colleagues since.

Graham Chisnall

Jonathan Rivers, aircraft owner and pilot.

“Flying is to me more of an obsession than a hobby, and as I often fly in less than perfect conditions, I feel the need to have all my faculties, however impaired by nature, be as acute as possible. So when I became aware of Aviation Optical, I booked an eye test. What was totally unexpected was the degree of visual impairment that I have simply taken for granted all these long years! Never mind flying, my new prescription is wonderful throughout the day and particularly at night. The examination and correction I’ve had with these guys goes well above all my expectations. I want to hit the bulls eye not just be able to see the target! and I feel sure that this is not just because I am a pilot.

My whole family has now had the Aviation Optical ‘works’ ”.

I am pleased to have been given this opportunity to recommend Aviation Optical & Medical Limited and at the same time share my experience.

My name is Michael Creed I am a 59 year old PPL holder and I fly out from Elstree, I am currently flying a PA28R.

I have had to use glasses for both distance and reading for the whole of my flying days, some ten years, experiencing all the difficulties that come with wearing glasses. I have tried different methods clip on sun glasses, tinted lens and sunglasses over the top of my normal spectacles. None of which proved to be either comfortable or 100% satisfactory. The method I adopted was sun glasses over spectacles and put up with the condensation on warm days and the painful ears caused by two sets of arms packed in behind them being squeezed by the headset.

The new beginning, 2007 Aero Expo at Wycombe Air Park, whilst wondering around I came upon a stand selling glasses of all different shapes and sizes especially designed for aviators. I explained to Daniel a director of the company what I was looking for and he pointed me in the direction of a pair of Scheyden spectacles with flip up sun glasses. It was at this stage that I was made aware of complete range of services that are available from Aviation Optical; I opted for a full aviation eye examination which includes tests inside a cockpit.

I travelled up to Coventry for what proved to be a very thorough eye examination and before I got to sit in the Cessna the optometrist told me that I had cataracts in both eyes that should be corrected before my prescription was changed. He wrote me a referral, I had both cataracts treated and after a settling in period I finally got my hands on the Scheyden’s. I am now enjoying my flying more than I could have imagined.

I would like to extend my thanks and gratitude to all the team at Aviation Optical.

Michael J Creed

I have just completed my Aviation Optical experience, having just picked up a pair of specs with reading lens incl. flip up/ detachable sunglasses for use in the R44/ closed cockpit machines, plus a pair of Goggles with reader incorporated for open cockpit navigation.

My long sight is excellent but, like most 55+ pilots, I struggle to read a map without glasses.

Aviation Optical is a unique setup, established specifically to equip pilots with exactly what they need. They have a cockpit simulator room which can be illuminated from the darkest night conditions to bright sunlight.

The placing of the instruments, together with a very clever head mounted test rig, enables the optimum focal length to be decided and, in my case, the precise position required for the reader portion of the lenses at the bottom.

I have always resisted the idea of flip-ups in case the Style Police spotted me(!). However, these have moved in the last few years and I ended up with a pair of 'Rudy Project' specs with flip up/ detachable sunnies. These are on a clever ratchet system so it is possible to shade your eyes only if you dont need the full protection.

A very stylish product indeed, made to meet the requirements of an Italian aerobatic team.

The 'reader' is in the perfect position. No more tipping your head back to read the panel or a map.

As far as the goggles are concerned, I have worn Nannini Roadstars - a very light motorcycle goggle - for some years. They are far better than the ex RAF Mk 8's and 9's being much lighter and more comfortable to wear, despite a similar style.

These have a very clever lens fitting on the inside of the glass. Again, time and trouble spent at AO resulted in the 'reader' being in the optimum position.

Interesting also that the prescription I had done at a High Street optician days before actually didn't suit the cockpit environment in view of the focal length differences.

All in all then, a huge thumbs up and thank you to Aviation optical. No more fumbling around swapping sunglasses for readers - never easy in a heli. Swapping goggles/ readers in the draughty open cockpit environment is also a thing of the past now. Hurrah!

A great company with a great future and staffed by keen professionals.

The lovely Nicky came away with a very nice pair of bespoke Titanium sunglasses too. She has always struggled with the pressure on the side of her head due to the headset pressing on the arms. Again, AO sorted her out with the perfect frame and lens combination.

Price? You get what you pay for. Thats all I will say. Money very well spent IMO.

Peter Holloway

R44 Owner/ pilot

Vintage aircraft owner and display pilot, The Shuttleworth Collection, Old Warden

Capt. Shaun Tinkler-Rose

Ex Military Pilot

Flying since 1989

5000hrs TT

Flown aeroplanes and helicopters in Africa for; game patrol / aid relief / tourism / SAR and offshore support.

Flown helicopters offshore in the North Sea.

Mostly flying for Air Ambulance operations around the UK for the last 10 years.

Have recently been flying corporate helicopters and jets and is now a freelance pilot combining corporate and air ambulance.

“Aviation Optical’s eye tests are extremely thorough and are most definitely second to none. They seem to have more equipment than NASA and are extremely friendly, yet they manage to combine this with cutting edge professionalism. They also have a vast range of frames and products to choose from which suites everyone from jet pilots to air ambulance pilots who wear helmets etc. But the most impressive part, is the eye check done in an actual simulator, this has helped me tremendously in my professional flying – give it a go!”

Dennis Baldry

JAR PPL(A) since 2004

320 TT

Flown Cessna 152, Super Cub, T67M, Decathlon, Pitts S-2A, Tiger Moth, Stampe SV-4C, T-6G and (mostly) Chipmunk.

Currently in Chipmunk WD390 Group, Wickenby Aerodrome, Lincolnshire.

Life member Real Flying Company, Shoreham Airport, West Sussex.

Member of AOPA, LAA and SVAS.

In 1975 a dejected teenager collected his first pair of spectacles. Dejected because his dream of flying for Queen and Country had been dashed on the rocks of incurable myopia.

Fast forward to the summer of 2007. This 49-year-old 'born again' Chipmunk pilot is having to hoick his specs out of the way to see anything on a half-mil chart. Hardly conducive to good navigation or effective visual scanning for other traffic!

To be honest, I'd delayed 'going varifocal' in fear of compromising my depth perception and peripheral vision. But my initial visit to Aviation Optical dispelled rapidly any such misgivings. In short, they have the technology!

I have nothing but praise for their professionalism and customer service ethos. To say that I'm deeply impressed with my varifocals is an understatement. In addition to a second pair for wearing with my Alpha Helmet, I've also taken delivery of some specially adapted goggles. Just the job for Tiger Moth and other open cockpit aeroplanes.

Aviation Optical and Medical Limited

Coventry Aeroplane Club Building

Rowley Road Coventry CV3 4FR

Phone: 02476 304444

Fax: 02476 302422

Email: aviationoptical@btconnect.com