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I need color vision advice !!!!

B

bkoliver

New Member
Is there anyone that can give me some advice on flying civilian commercial aircraft with a color vision issue. I have not yet taken my flight physical (Im still a student). I have been looking at the pseudoisochromatic plates that the AME's use to test color vision and I cannot see the numbers. I have never had any trouble seeing the VASI or PAPI lights, aircraft lights at night, or light gun signals. Im freaking out because Im afraid if I cant pass the color vision test, Im gonna get denied. I'd be crushed because Ive already invested a lot of $ in training and flying is the only thing I wanna do. Does anyone know what I can do to get an alternate test or what other things I can do to get around this delimma. I see all the colors in the circles, but I cant make out the numbers.... HELP !!!! You can email me personally at bkoliver1234@aol.com
 
T

TSUflyboy

New Member
You might be able to get a conditional to allow you to do your training for your PPL, but this will limit you to daytime flight only.

The only way that the FAA (who is there to help...*smirk*) MIGHT (and that's a big might) let it slide is if you get some kind of something from your flight instructor saying, "I've flown with Pilot X at night, and he has never had any trouble reading the VASI/PAPI. Signed, Ballson Theline."

Good luck!
 
FlyinRock

FlyinRock

Registered User
This is not uncommon in men. It is a red/green color deficiency and can be waivered with a demonstrated test. Check with your AME or go to the FAA website for specifics. I've flown with a SODA (Statement of Demonstrated Ability) certificate for over 35 years and got it by calling out the lights flashed to us by the tower as witnessed by an FAA Examiner.
For my Canadian physical I did a special color test and passed it with no problems. Same with a number of other countries and flight physicals.
I'm surprised you have invested a lot of money and haven't discovered this earlier? It really isn't a big deal so don't get too worked up over it.
Semper Fi
Rocky
 
C

christaphurrr

Member
I also have a color deficiency. I learned this through a private pilot medical exam. I was told from both the doctor and my flight instructor that this isn't really a big deal. You can take a flight with a certified instructor and light signals will be flashed at you. Your job is to identify the color, and state what each signal is telling you to do.

I have not taken the test, but this is what I was told the test was. Basically as the others above me have stated it's a waiver.

Also, when I went to MEPS I had to take a color vision test, and you can miss up to a certain number (I believe it's 4). I missed 3, so I made it through without any problem.

I'm sure I'll be corrected, but hopefully this helped.
 
Uncle Fester

Uncle Fester

Robot Pimp
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
My advice, is wear this shirt to your exam:

a559_bm.gif
 
GO_AV8_DevilDog

GO_AV8_DevilDog

Round 2...
Contributor
too bad that T-shirt hell is no more..

the owner decided to get out of the business.... no luck for buying the shirt anymore..

:(

... too bad, it would've been AWESOME!!
 
armada1651

armada1651

Hey intern, get me a Campari!
pilot
I sometimes have a hard time making out the number on the plates - some of them I can see, some I can't - but at my check-in physical in Pensacola, the flight doc told me that's fine as long as you can pass the test where you have to identify which color the light is, which I can do no problem. Incidentally, at my annual the other day they used the plates and I could make those out fine.

Point being, if there's a way around it in the Navy, there's probably a way around it on the civilian side (as others have said). I wouldn't worry too much about it.
 
BACONATOR

BACONATOR

Well-Known Member
pilot
Contributor
I have trouble, like armada, seeing "some" of the Ishihara plates. I pass the FALANT no problem and most of the time pass the plates too. The trick for me to pass the plates and not even have to worry about the FALANT is to google ISHIHARA plates and read as many as you can and the ones you have trouble with, trace them out and look for the slight coloring that tricks most color-deficient folks. That way when it comes time to do the real deal, you know that the "7" which is really a "2" is the same one you've seen a million times. Works like a charm for me. And honestly, if you're truly color blind, this won't work so I don't really find this "cheating the system" in any way. If you are not in a condition to be flying, you won't even pass the FALANT.
 
E

eddie

Working Plan B
Contributor
If the numbers weren't cursive, it would be easier, but I guess that's the point.
 
wlawr005

wlawr005

Well-Known Member
pilot
Contributor
OttoWrote8 said:
I have trouble, like armada, seeing "some" of the Ishihara plates. I pass the FALANT no problem and most of the time pass the plates too. The trick for me to pass the plates and not even have to worry about the FALANT is to google ISHIHARA plates and read as many as you can and the ones you have trouble with, trace them out and look for the slight coloring that tricks most color-deficient folks. That way when it comes time to do the real deal, you know that the "7" which is really a "2" is the same one you've seen a million times. Works like a charm for me. And honestly, if you're truly color blind, this won't work so I don't really find this "cheating the system" in any way. If you are not in a condition to be flying, you won't even pass the FALANT.
Click to expand...

I bet you memorized the eye chart too didn't you...as the saying goes "If you ain't cheatin' you ain't tryin'" :)
 
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