Yet another color vision question

jrh

jrh

Well-Known Member
Just when you thought all the color vision questions had been beaten to death, I've come up with another. This relates to getting an FAA "letter of evidence" exempting me from future color vision tests. Here's the situation:

I've only taken two medical exams in my flying career. In the first exam I passed the color vision test no problem. I'm not sure what type of test it was...I just remember having to look into a machine and read numbers inside the circles, much like the Ishihara test.

For the second medical exam, taken with a different AME, I used the Ishihara test out of a printed booklet. It was very difficult and the nurse sort of helped me along with a few of the numbers. She said I would pass, but I should consider getting a SODA in the future because I had so much difficulty and I might not pass in the future.

Now it's time for another medical exam. I'm worried if I fail the color vision exam this time I'll have to go through a huge hassle to remove the restriction. I'm also trying to avoid getting a SODA if possible.

So here's my question: Is it possible to get a letter of evidence from the FAA, exempting me from all future color vision testing, without actually failing a color vision test first? If so, could I use one of the tests I passed during my previous medicals as evidence that I should no longer be tested? Or do I need to get a new test done and send the results of that test in to the FAA?

Also, I heard that the FAA sometimes issues letters of evidence based on flight experience. I'm an active flight instructor, have almost 1000 TT, have 100+ hours at night, and I haven't crashed yet...does that count for anything?

I'm confident I can get everything straightened out if I do the right paperwork, but I need some advice on what needs to get sent where. Has anyone done this before? I've found several web sites that say I just have to send in some documentation to the FAA and they'll issue a letter of evidence, but I can't find any specifics of what documentation needs to get sent in, or where exactly it should be sent to. I guess I just need a bit of hand-holding through the process.
 
First, I would find an AME who does a lot of flight physicals (50% of AME's do fewer than 25 exams a year) so he/she has some experise in dealing with the issue.

Second, I would try to use the color vision test in the machine, it is a little easier than the color plates in the book and there are not as many of them. I would bet you can pass that without any problem. Call the AME's office to see what kind of thest they use for color vision before you make an appointment.

Third, it is my understanding the FAA issues letters of evidence only if you have failed the medical color vision test. You can check with your Regional Flight Surgeon if you want to open that bag of worms. You will also have to ask him what evidence they will accept for the letter of evidence. Most likely, you will need to see an opthalmologist to get a formal eye evaluation and have them fill out an 8500-7 (Report of Eye Evaluation). The FFA says: An applicant who holds a medical certificate bearing a color vision limitation may request a signal light test. This request should be in writing and should be directed to the AMCD or RFS. If the applicant passes the signal light test, the FAA will issue a medical certificate without the color vision limitation and provide the applicant with a “letter of evidence.”

Fourth, find an AME you like and stick with him/her.

Fifth, depending on where you live in the US, you may be able to find an AME with a Farnsworth lantern. This is a much easier test but there are not many of these around any more. The folks at www.leftseat.com have a list of AME's with the Farnsworth lantern test.

Sixth, a SODA is no big deal. It just states you have demonstrated the ability to see aviation red-green-white in the actual environment. Be aware the SODA is issued by class of medical certificate, so if you are looking to move up, get your Class 1 medical so you will not have to go through the process again.

Good luck.
 
The folks at leftseat.com have a list of AMEs with Farnsworth and various other colorvision tests, but they charge something like $600 to tell you who has it. Another step would be to contact colleges that have optometry programs. Many of them have the "other" tests you can take and use towards a letter of proficiency. Ohio State has the Farnsworth Lantern I know. My other advice would be to go to small field with a tower during their not so busy times, call them up, and ask them if they'd run through the signal light gun lights with you a few times (tell them why). Have a friend with good color vision look as well and see if you can ID them correctly. If you can, just take the FAA light gun test and get the letter.

By the way, if you do the signal light gun test, they no longer give you a SODA. It's a letter of something or another now, I can't remember what it's called, but basically, it's not on your record for airlines to see, you just show it to the AME. That's what I did. Well, actually when I did it still was a SODA, but mine was converted over to what they use now.
 
I agree with the advice. Also, if you need to do a light test, make sure they take their time. Sometimes the guy from the FSDO is in a hurry or the tower operator is in a hurry and they don't give you a good look at the lights. You can only retake the light test one time so be sure you get a fair shake when you do it.

We have a Farnsworth in our office if you are ever in the Phoenix area.
 
Thanks for such a quick reply.

I've been moving around a lot for the past few years, so I haven't been able to stick with one AME, but I'll try to do that when I can.

It seems odd to me that the FAA requires a person to fail a color vision test before getting a letter of evidence, but I guess that's the government for you. I know I could pass a light gun test, because I've had the tower shine the lights for my students before and I could see the colors fine, but I'd still rather use a different method if I can.

I'll check with the AMEs in my area and try to get this worked out.
 
My Flight Surgeon said:
I agree with the advice. Also, if you need to do a light test, make sure they take their time. Sometimes the guy from the FSDO is in a hurry or the tower operator is in a hurry and they don't give you a good look at the lights. You can only retake the light test one time so be sure you get a fair shake when you do it.

We have a Farnsworth in our office if you are ever in the Phoenix area.
Click to expand...

I failed my first signal light gun test because the lights were shown too quickly. I had difficulty differentiating white from green. The second time around they made sure they left them up there long enough for me to really look at the light. Passed it that time.

I didn't know at the time, however, that you could only take it twice. I got lucky.
 
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