The FAA does not give SODA's for color vision, they give a Letter of Evidence.
The only place I know you can get an ALT is the FAA Regional Flight Surgeon's offices.
Doc,
I got a Letter of Evidence (I think they called it a Letter of Competence back then) several years ago when I proved to the FAA that I passed the Farnsworth test. Will this letter still work everytime I go to an AME or will I have to be re-tested?
Thanks
Good question -----------
You can take a form 8500-7 for the eye doctor to complete.
The FAA may not accept the FALANT though. The Regional Flight Surgeon called me on Wednesday and told me we could use the FALANT as an alternative test to issue medical certifictes but they were not going to accept the FALANT for a Letter of Evidence. The FAA's Farnsworth Lanterns have been altered by changing the red and green lenses and they will only accept that test (now called the ALT or Aviation Light Test) or the Signal Light Gun Test for the Letter of Evidence. This may just be the regional folks in LAX but it sounded like they had had a conference call with OKC to make this uniform. We will have to wait and see how they handle a few of the applications over the next month or two.
When you send it in, let us know on this forum how the FAA handles the Letter of Evidence.
They will still accept the Keystone for a letter of evidence right?!
I am going to a meeting with the FAA next weekend. I will ask that question specifically and post their response when I get home.
If I take the light signal gun test will there be any negatives like the FAA having records about my color deficiency, and the airlines eventually finding out about this?
I would rely on what the Doc said. But if the airline has their own medical department (maybe the legacies?), I think they would find out. I have heard that the regionals just want to see your unrestricted first class.