I am red/green color blind
- Thread starter airtexaco
- Start date
Av8trix
Well-Known Member
Which "Alternate" are you talking about? If it's the Farnsworth Lantern, I'm pretty sure that can still be used in place of the dot plates. IF you can pass the Farnsworth (finding one is the difficult part it seems), you can have that optometrist sign a form which you then take to your FAA examiner. You are then exempt from having to ever do the dots test, as long as you keep that form and bring it with you to your medicals. Hope this helps, I know I wasn't to explicitly specific, but hopefully you can tell us a little more about which test you can pass.
-A-
Pietrantonio
Well-Known Member
I had the same situation, except I was never in the Military. The farnsworth is one of the few FAA approved alternate tests, but it is one of the hardest to find. Once you find one, and you pass, you will receive a letter in 8-10 business days (a letter you must never lose). You make a copy for your AME, and you don't have to do the Pseudoisochromatic plates.
Check with your AirForce base, I'm guessing they probably have a Farnsworth on site. I believe that this is approved by the FAA as well.
Good luck. Keep us updated!
Check with your AirForce base, I'm guessing they probably have a Farnsworth on site. I believe that this is approved by the FAA as well.
Good luck. Keep us updated!
My Flight Surgeon
Sr. Aviation Medical Examiner
You can take an alternate color vision test. If you want a Letter of Exception to excuse you from the color vision test, you must pass one of the alternate tests and submit proof of the exam to the FAA in OKC. They will issue the Letter of Evidence and this has been taking 6-10 weeks. (They used to issue a SODA but no longer do so for color vision). Keep the letter, make multiple copies, and submit a copy to the AME when you get your medical. This must be done through the FAA, a form or letter from the optometrist or ophthalmologist does not exempt you from color vision testing. The Letter of Evidence exempts you from having to take the color vision test ever again.
You can use this for ANY class of medical.
The Farnsworth Lantern is difficult to find. If you are on active duty, have the flight surgeon's office do a Farnsworth lantern test, complete the exam form (yes, there is a government form for this too) and send it to the FAA with a request for a Letter of Evidence (keep a copy). If you are no longer on active duty, you can look around for a Farnsworth lantern. If you cannot find one, call our office, in Phoenix, to set up an appointment. We have had pilots come from as far as the Netherlands and Hawaii to get the test done. (I actually took the Farnsworth lantern to Network JC in LAS this year but no one wanted to get tested).
If you have any questions, just call me.
You can use this for ANY class of medical.
The Farnsworth Lantern is difficult to find. If you are on active duty, have the flight surgeon's office do a Farnsworth lantern test, complete the exam form (yes, there is a government form for this too) and send it to the FAA with a request for a Letter of Evidence (keep a copy). If you are no longer on active duty, you can look around for a Farnsworth lantern. If you cannot find one, call our office, in Phoenix, to set up an appointment. We have had pilots come from as far as the Netherlands and Hawaii to get the test done. (I actually took the Farnsworth lantern to Network JC in LAS this year but no one wanted to get tested).
If you have any questions, just call me.
That is the test I took originally (the Farnsworth) and we do not have any anymore it seems... The thing about military aviation is that ONCE you pass a flight physical, you hardly ever seem to fail one.
Now I get " Oh, you are color blind?" and then never hear about it again. I can see red and green and white lights, stripes, and other stuff. I just need some advice so as to continue with an aviation career.
I really do appreciate the responses and will look for the letter that SHOULD be in my medical records. Thanks again!
Now I get " Oh, you are color blind?" and then never hear about it again. I can see red and green and white lights, stripes, and other stuff. I just need some advice so as to continue with an aviation career.
I really do appreciate the responses and will look for the letter that SHOULD be in my medical records. Thanks again!
Pietrantonio
Well-Known Member
Best advice, if you can distinguish between red/green/white, check out the FAA website, and find the closest regional office, and find out if they have a farnsworth. If you passed the farnsworth in the past, shouldn't be a problem again. Other option, is to find one in your area. Once you pass, like the doc said, you're issued a letter, and that's it. Just make copies for your AME, and you won't have a "Not valid for night flight or by color signal control" restriction on your medical. I would say go for it, especially since you've already tested with and passed a farnsworth already.
I took the farnsworth a few months ago. I passed, got my letter, and renewed my medical and the restriction was gone. They told me that if I failed the farnsworth (where I took it), that the restriction IS NOT permanent, rather you just have to find another farnsworth because they wouldn't let me retest. All in all, go for it, you have nothing to lose.
Best of luck!!!
I took the farnsworth a few months ago. I passed, got my letter, and renewed my medical and the restriction was gone. They told me that if I failed the farnsworth (where I took it), that the restriction IS NOT permanent, rather you just have to find another farnsworth because they wouldn't let me retest. All in all, go for it, you have nothing to lose.
Best of luck!!!
I am red/green color blind also. I originally got a Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA) for my 3rd class medical. It removes the night flying restriction. This was done with the signal light test at the airport.
When I wanted to upgrade to a 1st class, I had to do a medical flight test with an inspector from the FSDO at night. I flew for about an hour and he asked me the colors of lights, (runway, taxiway, etc.). We also did the signal light test from the airplane in the pattern. He also asked me to identify colors on a sectional chart and enroute chart.
If you pass, you get a "Letter of Evidence" that basically says you can get any class of medical, and it is not a SODA or waiver. Your medical certificate will not mention anything about color deficiency.
Hope this helps.
When I wanted to upgrade to a 1st class, I had to do a medical flight test with an inspector from the FSDO at night. I flew for about an hour and he asked me the colors of lights, (runway, taxiway, etc.). We also did the signal light test from the airplane in the pattern. He also asked me to identify colors on a sectional chart and enroute chart.
If you pass, you get a "Letter of Evidence" that basically says you can get any class of medical, and it is not a SODA or waiver. Your medical certificate will not mention anything about color deficiency.
Hope this helps.
clearsky76
Well-Known Member
I had the same problem. If you can get access to an FBO, the ATC in the tower will practice with you for the signal light gun test before you go through the motions with someone from the FAA. And once you pass it, you'll get your letter, and a new med cert with no restrictions and never have to do it again. I had to do my test at dusk with the FAA guys. Looking for the red, green or white light from the tower about 1000' and 1500' away.
I would recommend trying other tests first before you attempt the light gun test. If you fail it, the put a permanant restriction on your record which prevents you from flying at night. I would try to find a Farnsworth Lantern. I couldn't pass the farnsworth...I found another test called the Kestyone that I passed. The FAA accepts that one too. IM me and I can recommend to you how to locate the test.
Ryan