Air Guard...color blindness question?

Flyjustin

Flyjustin

Well-Known Member
So I'm a regional airline pilot, and a couple buddies of mine got pilot slots in the guard flying A10s out of Selfridge AFB in Michigan. I really would love to do something like that. What are the vision requirements? I have a first class medical without a SODA, and the only limitation is 'Must wear corrective lenses'. Will the Guard take a second look at me since I'm a jet pilot as a civilian, even though I'm slightly color deficient? Or advice of ay other possible military pilot position?
 
The color deficiency might be a problem, regardless of your being a pilot on the civil side or not.
 
Way back when I was a kid I really wanted to be a military pilot. I already had my PPL and got a SODA for color vision by doing a light gun test. Every recruiter I talked to including the Air National Guard, said no way.

I later learned that some color-deficient military pilots had simply memorized the Ishihara plates and never had an issue with it. Now days I think with the much better lantern tests many people who traditionally failed Ishihara tests are able to get in...
 
I think you will have a problem in the USAF/ANG. The USN requires only color safe, not color normal so as long as you can pass the FALANT, you are good to go.
 
The Air Force has a pretty extensive color vision screening. Even if you memorize the plates at your MEPS or at the guard base, you are likely to run into a different set when you get to Brooks AFB for the medical and there are other types as well.
 
MikeD said:
They'll probably proficiency advance him through most of UPT.
Click to expand...

May even just skip UPT and go straight to the B-course... I heard it's pretty easy to fly A-10s anyways... most of the T-6 IPs here that came from the A-10 were pretty excited to start instructing in a high performance airplane. :)
 
I have a color deficiency too, pretty much same story as you. I fly a jet on the civilian side and also am a mechanic in the Air Guard. I've been able to hold a first class medical, so I'm good to go on the civilian side. I knew a guy who also had a first class medical with color deficiency but couldn't pass the Army's aviation requirement. He's now an officer serving our country in another capacity. Anyways, I wouldn't give up until you get an "official" screening from the Air Force. It's going to be tough.

I read an article a month or so ago about gene therapy used to correct color vision in I believe some species of monkey. According to the article they were successful. The trick is now how to get that approved for humans. I wish they could do that quickly, but I'll probably be retired when that happens...and that's roughly 40 years down the road! :/
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top