![Sudden Surprise Trouble](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/4975/567025/5fe1dc891069f/Sudden-Surprise-Trouble.jpg)
Written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the old nursery rhyme goes like this: “There was a little girl, / who had a little curl, / right in the middle of her forehead. / When she was good, / she was very good indeed, / and when she was bad she was horrid.” This sums up three days in September 2020 that rocked my world.
I was hit in the eye with a ball at age 18, lost vision for a week, then recovered to enjoy 20/20 vision. At age 63, I was diagnosed with increased intraocular pressure in my left eye. This is called “narrow angle,” or traumatic, glaucoma. I was prescribed eyedrops that controlled the pressure for the next 10 years.
When the eye drops failed to control pressure, I underwent a surgical procedure to vent the pressure via a drainage tube. This is called a Baerveldt shunt. As a result, I lost any meaningful vision in my left eye.
Last year, I sought a Statement of Demonstrated Ability, or SODA, after I passed a medical flight test. During the test, I had to demonstrate my ability to identify objects from the air, traffic in the air, read aeronautical charts while flying, and identify a field for a forced landing. I wrote about this last year, describing my MFT, which was conducted in a simulator with an FAA examiner. A simulator was used because I fly a Cessna Citation CJ1, and you can’t safely do these things for real in a jet. I thought I had a SODA forever. There are airline pilots flying with just one eye—so-called monocular pilots, I am told.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der January - February 2021-Ausgabe von Flying.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der January - February 2021-Ausgabe von Flying.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
![The Temple of Speed](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4975/796535/619ce166e27b0/crp_Aviation-Reno-Air-Races-P-51-Mustangs-Cassutt-Special-Continental-O-200-Sport-Medallion.jpg)
The Temple of Speed
Reno entices even this altitude-oriented pilot.
![Flat Sixes](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4975/796535/619ce2298353d/crp_Flat-Sixes.jpg)
Flat Sixes
Fanatical artisans
![Blue over Green, Tent in Between](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4975/796535/619ce2fb26142/crp_Blue-over-Green-Tent-in-Between.jpg)
Blue over Green, Tent in Between
I’m old , I’m cranky. Why do I keep air-camping?
![Gulfstream Reveals G400, G800](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4975/796535/619cd2c309f38/crp_Gulfstream-Reveals-G400-G800.jpg)
Gulfstream Reveals G400, G800
The product lineup gains large-cabin and ultralong-range mounts.
![Every Airplane Requires a Checkout](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4975/796535/619ce581dbf81/crp_Every-Airplane-Requires-a-Checkout.jpg)
Every Airplane Requires a Checkout
Embrace the challenge of mastering a new machine.
![Fuhggedaboutit](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4975/796535/619ce3ad856e1/crp_Fuhggedaboutit.jpg)
Fuhggedaboutit
Fifty-plus years of f lying forgetfulness
![THE MAULE FAMILY APPROACHABLE AIRCRAFT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4975/796535/619cdf6a1cdd5/crp_THE-MAULE-FAMILYAPPROACHABLE-AIRCRAFT.jpg)
THE MAULE FAMILY APPROACHABLE AIRCRAFT
Choose your mount —the Maules do it all.
![Sisters](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4975/796535/619ce4ced72d8/crp_Sisters.jpg)
Sisters
“ Women certainly have the courage and tenacity required for long flights.” —Mildred Doran
![INSIDE OUT OR OUTSIDE IN?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4975/796535/619cd85ec14a3/crp_INSIDE-OUTOR-OUTSIDE-IN.jpg)
INSIDE OUT OR OUTSIDE IN?
What kind of pilot should you be?
![WE FLY: CESSNA CITATION CJ4 GEN2](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4975/796535/619cd5b730940/crp_WE-FLY-CESSNA-CITATION-CJ4-GEN2.jpg)
WE FLY: CESSNA CITATION CJ4 GEN2
THE FLAGSHIP CJ JUST GOT A WHOLE LOT BETTER.