Color Blindness tests
- Thread starter cessna2351
- Start date
FlyingNole
New Member
Hey, I wanted to catch you before you took the signal gun test. (and yes, you can practice if you find a nice person who works the tower)
DO NOT TAKE THE SIGNAL GUN TEST FIRST.
When I was 15/16 and going through the medical bit, I failed the ishihara plates miserably. I think I can see like 2 or 3 of them, out of 15 lets say. However I know I can see red,green,etc. colors in "real life." Like I have no problem seeing the colors of a traffic light,etc.
With that being said, my flight doc told me to contact the (FLL) FSDO and ask for a signal gun test. What I didn't know was, this is a last resort. If you fail the test you will have a restriction that says something like, "Not valid for night flight." If you pass the day, fail the eve, or visa versa you will get something along the lines of "Not valid for signal gun control during daylight hours." This is what I had. I always thought this was bul!s**t, and my career would be hurt by this useless restriction.
Does that mean I have to circle until nightfall if I lose my COMMS?
Anyway, I researched and researched possible ways around it. Called the FAA, AOPA, talked to JC guys, etc. and they all said sorry, the signal gun is a final resort test and the restriction is perminant. I still took no for an answer, and finally came across an article dealing with a situation similar to mine where the person took the Farnsworth Lantern test.
The next day I called the Southern Region FAA office in Hotlanta and spoke with the cheif flight surgeon. He told me that because I was never given the option to take other tests, and that I passed one part of the signal gun test (night), that i could retest, or do the latern (which from what i heard, was easier). If i retested on the gun, it was a final resort with the possibility of having the restriction still on my medical.
I opted for the lantern, flew to ATL a few weeks later, and took the test. It was suprisingly easy to pass because to me, the colors were obvious, like a traffic light. I now have no waiver.
I have a form of a SODA which I give to the flight docs for my next exam so I will never have to deal with the ishihara plates again.
If you have any more questions about the process,etc. feel free to gimme a hollar.
DO NOT TAKE THE SIGNAL GUN TEST FIRST.
When I was 15/16 and going through the medical bit, I failed the ishihara plates miserably. I think I can see like 2 or 3 of them, out of 15 lets say. However I know I can see red,green,etc. colors in "real life." Like I have no problem seeing the colors of a traffic light,etc.
With that being said, my flight doc told me to contact the (FLL) FSDO and ask for a signal gun test. What I didn't know was, this is a last resort. If you fail the test you will have a restriction that says something like, "Not valid for night flight." If you pass the day, fail the eve, or visa versa you will get something along the lines of "Not valid for signal gun control during daylight hours." This is what I had. I always thought this was bul!s**t, and my career would be hurt by this useless restriction.
Does that mean I have to circle until nightfall if I lose my COMMS?
Anyway, I researched and researched possible ways around it. Called the FAA, AOPA, talked to JC guys, etc. and they all said sorry, the signal gun is a final resort test and the restriction is perminant. I still took no for an answer, and finally came across an article dealing with a situation similar to mine where the person took the Farnsworth Lantern test.
The next day I called the Southern Region FAA office in Hotlanta and spoke with the cheif flight surgeon. He told me that because I was never given the option to take other tests, and that I passed one part of the signal gun test (night), that i could retest, or do the latern (which from what i heard, was easier). If i retested on the gun, it was a final resort with the possibility of having the restriction still on my medical.
I opted for the lantern, flew to ATL a few weeks later, and took the test. It was suprisingly easy to pass because to me, the colors were obvious, like a traffic light. I now have no waiver.
I have a form of a SODA which I give to the flight docs for my next exam so I will never have to deal with the ishihara plates again.
If you have any more questions about the process,etc. feel free to gimme a hollar.
Looking4Lower
New Member
Reference my earlier posts, I recently received my "Letter of Evidence" from the FAA aeromedical branch in the mail regarding passing alternate color vision tests. That is now my "get out of jail free card" for future medicals, and I will be allowed to have an unrestricted medical issued without retaking any color vision tests. It's pretty much the same letter that FlyingNole was issued, I assume.
The Farnsworth lantern is just one of about 8 alternate tests available, so there are options out there if you know how to go thru the process. The hard part is finding somebody who can give the tests and document them properly.
Anybody can feel free to PM me for details of the process I went thru.
The Farnsworth lantern is just one of about 8 alternate tests available, so there are options out there if you know how to go thru the process. The hard part is finding somebody who can give the tests and document them properly.
Anybody can feel free to PM me for details of the process I went thru.
FlyingNole
New Member
Ya, that's what I got, I couldn't remember its exact name. To anyone who believes that they can see colors normally, besids on the crappy isihara test (color dots), then the Farnsworth Latern may be the best bet for you. You will have other testing options if the Latern does not work, but to me, I thought it was great. I had to think about a few of them, but I passed in any event.
Anyway, like I said before and Lookin4Lower said, if you guys have any thoughts,concerns,questions,whatever gives me or him a hollar...I was Sh**ing a brick thinking my career would be limited by the waiver, but now I have my "get out of jail free" card.
Safe flying, and good luck
Anyway, like I said before and Lookin4Lower said, if you guys have any thoughts,concerns,questions,whatever gives me or him a hollar...I was Sh**ing a brick thinking my career would be limited by the waiver, but now I have my "get out of jail free" card.
Safe flying, and good luck