Poor depth perception
 

A while back I read a thread by someone who was having problems with depth perception while flying. I am having the same problem and cannot find the thread. There were several suggestions on types of glasses and lenses that might help the problem.

If anyone has some suggestions or can find this thread, please let me know.

RE: Poor depth perception
 

Typical aviator sunglasses will help a lot... for example Ray Bans. I happen to have Serengeti "Drivers" sunglasses for all ocassions, because I like the style. In any case, the aviator type sunglasses add much more contrast to your view, which helps depth perception. Such sunglasses can typically be worn in very low lighting conditions as well- I've actually worn them in a car at night to see the effect, and it's pretty amazing- I swear I can see a little better at night with them on.

RE: Poor depth perception
 

For what its worth I have always ordered sunglasses with #3 green lens and these work extremely well for me. Have tried straight grays and several ranges of photo grays and the straight #3 green is far superior in a surprisingly wide range of light conditions. The greens are not very common in over the counter glasses.

John

RE: Poor depth perception
 

We have a few guys at our field that have that problem. They seem to always want to land short, and far out from the runway. Other than the glasses, I tell them after they have made their final turn toward the runway, fly the plane straight toward you until you get close to the end of the runway. From there your mind will know where you are in relation to the runway.

RE: Poor depth perception
 

My problem is not so much with landing as with orientation at distance. It is sometimes hard to determine how far out the plane is from me.

RE: Poor depth perception
 

quote]ORIGINAL: JohnBuckner

For what its worth I have always ordered sunglasses with #3 green lens and these work extremely well for me. Have tried straight grays and several ranges of photo grays and the straight #3 green is far superior in a surprisingly wide range of light conditions. The greens are not very common in over the counter glasses.

John
[/quote]

That's interesting. I've not heard of green helping so much before. The typical aviator lenses are amber, as I suppose many have found this to improve contrast & depth perception.

I guess if you can try each, you can see what works best for you.

RE: Poor depth perception
 

Just an idea.

Why not have someone with you (at least initially ) to relate distances/heights. Use these in conjunction with landmarks that are around and in your immediate flying field/area. For instance, if there were a fence about 1/2 way between the edge of the field and the tree line, a "spotter" could tell you, "OK, the plane is xxxx feet out from you." And if you were to see that the plane was in line with a big crotch in a tree at the tree line at the same time, the spotter could also tell you how high up the plane is.

I realize that this is not a complete solution, however, between the sunglasses, a spotter and some memory work to memorize distances/heights/landmarks you have a very workable solution.

RE: Poor depth perception
 

Hi;Many other factor too such as plane colors some are nearly impossible to maintain orientation on.Pick your color carefully watch other planes and see what colors you can see easier.Varies with different people.Stay in closer,Fly bigger easier to see planes lot of us old timers find it helps to get big planesGood Luck,Incidentally I use the Bronze colored glasses think they do help!

RE: Poor depth perception
 

You're definitely not alone here. I found depth perception about the most difficult thing to get a handle on, and I recorded three tree strikes trying to overcome it.

I always thought the aircraft was a lot closer to me than it was, and on final it was sometimes 60 metres wide (further out from me) of the designated runway.

I saw a tip on these forums and it put me right onto the technique. Downwind, the distance out is not all that important, but on final it is, because if you miss the runway you may hit the trees or land in the rough.

Ensure you are standing facing the runway, five metres or so from the edge, and do not move from that position, i.e., you are looking straight across the runway, 90 degrees to the runway direction. Maintain your feet position, and only swivel your body. When you have your model on base leg, fly it till you think it has gone too far, i.e., until you can just see it out to your left (flying a final left to right) and then turn final. Aim it at yourself, and you will get it on the runway every time. It only seems to be flying directly at you as it turns. As it gets closer, it will be over the runway.

This worked for me and I never had another problem. Later I could vary the technique, and fly oblique bases etc., without problems, but it was this tip that got me started.

I find sunglasses make no diffrence to perception, but they do help cut down glare, which they are designed to do, and make seeing the model easier. Seeing it is a very different problem from depth perceptin however.

RE: Poor depth perception
 

I haven't had any problems landing yet, I just know that I am not seeing as clearly as I should at distance. On landing, several of the other club members thought I was in the powerlines at the far side of the field a couple of times, but I haven't hit them yet. The place where I have problems in landing are in a cross wind. I set up as S.R.A. described and a normal landing is no problem, but in a cross wind I find I have drifted almost off the runway before I realize that I am that far over and it is just a short hop over to the trees.

I have gotten some good info from Reesy on RR, as he is an optometrist, that I am going to review with my doctor and try to find something that will help before I have any problems. So far it is just an inconvenienceand not at all unsafe. As my eyes have changed very little in the last few years, it is not extremely urgent.

RE: Poor depth perception
 

Bayou Talker, as far as the cross winds, your going to have to learn to use that rudder dude. A majority of people who fly only use the rudder when the plane is on the ground. Use that rudder to as we say, "Crab it in" when your on final and you'll be a lot better pilot.

RE: Poor depth perception
 

The rudder use is not the problem. As a former licensed pilot, I can certainly see the value of a crab in a crosswind. It's just that in certain light conditions with a tree background I just can't tell how far I have drifted toward the other side of the field until the plane is almost on the ground and then a severe correction is needed which doesn't make for a "pretty" landing. So far I have not missed the runway, but it has been extremely close a couple of times. I haven't damaged anything yet either and I want to keep it that way.

RE: Poor depth perception
 

My everyday glasses are graduated (no line) bifocals. At the field though, I am much more comfortable wearing my flying glasses that consist of straight glasses set up for distance, with a tiny bifocal close up part in the very bottom. Tell your optometrist that you fly rc and have him write you an rx that has the bifocal part set really low and out of normal vision.

Still, I have the depth perception problems too. I think an optometrist could shed some light on the difference between someone who has problems with depth and someone who doesn't. For example there is a difference between my right and left eye.

Ernie

RE: Poor depth perception
 

Ernie,

That is my problem too. My right eye is weaker than my left. Not enough for daily activities and driving but it does show up for flying.
I have some other information from a flying Optometrist in England that might lead me to the correct prescription. It is on another forum that I can't list here, but if you want to know where, PM me and I will send it to you.

RE: Poor depth perception
 

as for having poor depth perception, my legally-blind left eye forces me to qualify.... landing in the grass at the far edge of the runway happens quite often enough that I've convinced myself I do it to save my prop tips from the asphalt :D "Fortunately" it's been this way since I'm about 3 years old, so I learned to fly this way and have compensated to a great extent.... my sympathies, it may take a LOOOOOOONG time to adjust....

RE: Poor depth perception
 

I have had problems the first few flights at a new field, but I try to look for the shadow of the plane on the ground in relation to some obvious items that can give you a hint. Also, stay away from a solid color on your plane. I especially had problems with a couple all red planes, especially on suny days.

RE: Poor depth perception
 

I have problems too. I am now wearing Polorid prescription glasses that have little bifocal on the bottom. Some days they are wonderful and some days they aren't. I've come to the conclusion that the time that I take my "wonder medicines" and the time that I fly are an influencing factor on my depth perception. I always take my medicines in the morning. If I fly after 2:00 pm my depth perception is pretty good. If I wait until after 5:00pm it is much better. In the morning it is terrible. I'm 63 years old. Been flying for over 30 years.

RE: Poor depth perception
 

Its not you. The human eyeball just isn't that accurate at judging distances as far away as we fly.

I did wear RayBan glasses for years because they were great in low light and overcast conditions. But they did tend to fool me and make my plane look closer than it really was. After landing in the same tree, and on the exact same branch two times in about 4 years, I quit wearing them.

Campy hit it on the head. Start out using landmarks. And if you have to come in over obstacles watch for your shadow. Keep a sliver of blue sky between your plane and the tree line, (or any obstacle) until the plane is obviously past it. And realize this. If you are looking up at the top of the tree line AND you always keep a sliver of daylight between the plane and trees, you can still descend and maitain that bit of daylight.

Just remember that your eyes weren't designed for this. You can't always trust them. Use techniques that prove the plane has past the obstacle before descending.

I attached a diagram of a parking lot we flew out of on weekends. Light poles and trees surrounded us. It was slightly less than 300 feet from curb to curb. But we got used to it and actually enjoyed it very much. And believe it or not, about 3 dozen folks learned to fly there.

RE: Poor depth perception
 

I found that polarized lens really helped me. My polarized sunglasses are perscription and they really help with contrast.

RE: Poor depth perception
 

I have been flying RC for several years and I know all of the normal tips that you guys have mentioned. That is why I have been able to make the runway and not wreck a plane yet. I have just noticed lately that my vision is not as sharp as it once was. It is nowhere near bad enough to need glasses for normal activities, but it might just help for what we do. My current polorized glasses that I have been using cause a distortion around the edges that makes orientation difficult. Since I obviously need to buy a new pair of sunglasses, I might as well get some with any corrections made to make my vision as good as possible. From what information I have gathered, I need to buy a pair that are corrected for 20/20 or better at distance and corrected for spatial localization. These should be polycarbonate with an anti-reflective coating and in a medium tint possibly in green.

I am planning to visit my optometrist soon to discuss it with him. I hope it works!

RE: Poor depth perception
 

One of our local flyers does very well, even in spot landings at fun flies. It was something of a shock to find out that he lost 100% vision in one eye in a baseball game when he was a kid.

RE: Poor depth perception
 

I just bought glasses myself. I guess everyone is getting older, huh ?

RE: Poor depth perception
 

YUP !!!!!! ENJOY !!!!! RED

RE: Poor depth perception
 

It is amazing how a thread can get off topic so quick.
#3 green lenses huh...... DO they make a #4?
Would that be better?

RE: Poor depth perception
 

not necessarily off topic. the question dealt with depth perception. many things including color of lenses, polarization, brand name glasses, medications, age are a part of depth perception. seeing a qualified doctor and having your vision checked and possibly improved so that depth perception is not an issue when flying is also valuable information. i, personally, am grateful for all the information that was passed on. never even heard of green lenses 'till now!

RE: Poor depth perception
 

According to an optometrist on a thread on another forum, "Green focuses further away and red closer (on the RED/GREEN test)". He has a lot of good explanations there if anyone wants to read that thread. I can't post a link to it due to the rules of this forum, but if anyone wants to know where to find it send me a PM or email and I will send it to you.

As many of us get older, this is going to be more common. Probably there are many of us that need correction now that haven't realized it yet as it has progressed slowly with age.

RE: Poor depth perception
 

I am having the same problems. Think I am over the runway just to find I'm several feet in the tall grass. I use to work in an optical lab and to the best of my knowledge color of lenses don't help depth, it will help seeing the plane in different light conditions. Most aviator type glasses try to block blue from the spectrum for the obvious reason. I haven't found a way to help this problem other than practice to find your spot and adjust to it even when it seems wrong.

RE: Poor depth perception
 

I realize that is of course a tongue in cheek statement but in fact there is a color darkness and tint codeing for lenses that can be ordered. I,ve no idea if there is a #4 or not but I have used green #1 and #2's in the past and settled on #3's.

Also I beleve the original so called government issue aviator glasses (going back some time) were green #3's.

I was only just reporting what has worked well for me both in my past full scale career and for model flight over the years.


John

RE: Poor depth perception
 

I am just going by what an Optometrist/Flyer is recommending. My doctor does not fly and has no experience with this particular problem but he is willing to work on it with me. I guess that is all I can ask. I am gathering all of the info I can get and will let him study it and see what he can do.

As for the green, I have used fishing glasses in a green tint in the past, but they were pretty dark. They did seem to be easier on the eyes than some other colors, but I never tried to fly with them and now they are gone and I can't find another pair.

RE: Poor depth perception
 

I think that anything that makes this sport safer and more enjoyable is worth discussing. I know there are lots more of us that are starting to have vision loss due to our age and anything that helps that can't be bad for the sport.

RE: Poor depth perception
 

I had a couple 'off-road' landings when I was sure, the plane was above the asphalt. Then I learned to ignore my vison and use the following technique on landing:

1. Like someone wrote here the last turn seems to be just on the flight line then I fly the plane that feels like straigt to my face. It seems like it is flying to me, but when it's close in fact it is 20-50 feet away from the flight line.

2. We have quite short runway so I choose the flying station closest to the touch-down line. When I land I never aim at touch-down line, but I rather continue to fly until I have the plane almost in front of me. This gives me cnfidence, that the landing is not short. I would rather roll out onto the grass at the end of the runway when the speed is slow instead touching down short on the grass when speed is just below the stall speed.

RysiuM

RE: Poor depth perception
 

Very true, in fact after a few feet away from you, having vision in only one eye really doesn't affect depth "perception". Both eyes come into play doing close-up work. FWIW, aren't there full scale pilots that are blind in one eye?

RE: Poor depth perception
 

One Eyed Pilots? Like Willey Post?

RE: Poor depth perception
 

Doesn’t everyone have an occasional depth perception problem that is attributed to radio interference?

I have flown in the same location for so long that there has been a close encounter with every bush, rock, and tree anywhere near. The close encounters leave engraved impressions on the mind until the entire flying site is permanently mapped. After the mapping is complete flying is easy.

Bill

RE: Poor depth perception
 

Yep Bills,

I think there is definately something in what you say. After flying in one spot for a couple of years we lost our field :( and I now fly at a couple of different places. It took me a while to get adjusted to the new sites. Both of the new sites have fences around the strip to keep stock out. Most of the club memebers have managed to hit a wire or two whilst getting used to the new fields.

Nick

RE: Poor depth perception
 

"Very true, in fact after a few feet away from you, having vision in only one eye really doesn't affect depth "perception". "

this is very bad mis-information.... the brain can, after some time of learning or re-learning, accomidate and compensate by using other visual cues, but it will NEVER be as "accurate" as binocular vision.... don't underestimate the power of that "computer" between the ears, its sensory evaluation capabilities are enormous.... that is NOT to say that it can compensate for the ignorance displayed by the typical American teenager :D

[:-]

RE: Poor depth perception
 

Then, of course, as mentioned up in #21, Wiley Post flew around the world TWICE with only one eye. I once read somewhere that our binocular vision and deapth perception are only effective out to 10 feet or so. After that it's just experiance and common sence telling you how far away you are.

RE: Poor depth perception
 

G'day all, I have lost the sight in 1 eye and have alot of trouble with depth perception. For those that can't grasp what it's like, try closing one eye and have a friend throw a ball at you to catch or try parking your car in a garage and see how far short you are to the wall. The strange thing is that it does'nt affect my flying or landings. I think the size of the plane in relation to how far away it is probably helps with depth perception for me as it gives a point of reference. Perhaps that could help those who have the same prob, focus on the size of your plane in any given distance and adjust accordingly. Regards, John.