Colorblind Question

J

Jared9191

New Member
I am partially colorblind, and am currently planning on taking a color blind test. I've been calling around looking for the Farnsworth lantern, but so far I’ve only found the DC-15 or 400 local.

Thinking about just going and taking one of those to see where I stand. My question is, is one harder than the other? Would the DC-15 be fine instead of the 400? Do I need any documentation to bring to my optometrist? I know I need signed results, but is there anything else extra involved?

I've read I just need to be able to determine “aviation colors", so just red/green right?

Thanks, pretty nervous about all of this.
 
I would try and locate someone with a Farnsworth Lantern (NOT D-15). If you are in Phoenix Dr. Forred has one.. I would use up all of your options before you head to the FAA for the light gun test. If you fail the FAA light gun test twice the restriction on your medical will be permanent. Do a search on the forums, theres alot of info. I was in the same boat as you, and did the Farnsworth. If you do have to go to the FAA, try going to your local towered airport with a handheld, or in the plane, and have the Tower flash the colors at you. Have a non color blind friend verify your answers. Most towers love a chance to get to play with the light gun. Also try an overcast day... or even try and schedule the test in the evening/night. Good luck!
 
The D-15 is NOT acceptable by the FAA. They have defined the acceptable tests for color vision in their publications http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org...rocess/exam_tech/item52/et/index.cfm?print=go
There are not many Farnsworth Lanterns around. I know of one in California but they want somewhere in the range of $600 for a test we charge $50 for. The folks at Pilot Solutions has a list for sale but I understand the list costs somewhere in the $700 range to purchase. (A ticket to PHX is pretty cheap when you consider it in these terms and in the investment you have in flying.)

We find that the Farnsworth Lantern is fairly easy and that 60% of those who fail the Ishihara plate tests pass the Farnsworth Lantern test.

BTW - I am considering taking the Farnsworth Lantern to Networking JC in Las Vegas. If there is enough interest we will look into having a session to do the Farnsworth Lantern on Sunday afternoon. I will need feedback if people are interested in this.

Also, if you go to an eye doctor, you will need to take a Form 8500-7
http://forms.faa.gov/forms/faa8500-7.pdf and have the eye doctor complete box 16.

One more point, the FAA will not issue you a Letter of Evidence unless you have had an FAA medical transmitted to OKC with the color vision test marked as FAILED. You can then request a Letter of Evidence (this replaces the old SODA) from them.
 
I know of a Farnsworth lantern in Florida. If you're in Fla, PM me and I'll get the info. One of my students failed the plates and we did a lot of digging around to find one, but he did just fine with the lantern. Don't give up on it!


-A-
 
My farnsworth 100 hue:
Right eye: Total error score 240 (abnormal at the P< 0.001 level)
Left eye : Total error score 212 (abnormal at the P<0.001 level)

Results are consistent with a mild color vision defect.


Would mild be good enough for the FAA I wonder?


I'm in Costa Mesa CA. I've read here you can take the Lantern in Lawndale CA with the FAA. Failing that, I'll try to take it again in PHX My Flight Surgeon. I'm a ramper for US Airways currently so it's a free ticket :)

Thanks so much for all the response. Hopefully this can be resolved sooner rather than later so I can focus more on flying.
 
It appears you took the D-15 Farnsworth. This is NOT acceptable to the FAA. If you need a Farnsworth, you must take the Farnsworth Lantern Test (FALANT).
 
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