CASA has today announced a long awaited and significant policy change that will finally see CVD pilots able to pursue careers to the fullest extent. This comes as a result of years of lobbying from the CVDPA and marks the most important change we have ever seen on this issue and finally untangles the mess created by the previous PMO back in 2014.
CASA will be introducing an Operational Colour Vision Assessment (OCVA) for CVD pilots as the the third tier test to replace the CAD. Pilots who pass this will gain a completely unrestricted medical and will be able to fly at all levels including at night, IFR, ATPL and internationally. Further details will be forthcoming in the coming weeks and it is expected that pilots will be able to undertake the new OCVA at locations around Australia by mid-year, but for now it is able to be undertaken in New Zealand and the results will be recognised with immediate effect. CVDPA congratulates CASA on making this long awaited and landmark policy change!
The CASA Briefing - February 2020
A solution has been found to a somewhat thorny and long-running issue that is important to a group of pilots. The issue is colour vision deficiency and the way CASA manages safety related assessments as part of the medical certification process. Colour vision deficiency affects about 400 Australian pilots and a three-stage testing process has been in place for some time, with a pass at any stage allowing an unrestricted medical to be issued. Where all three tests are failed then a medical certificate can be issued subject to conditions.Research in recent years has shown relying on diagnostic tests alone may be unnecessarily limiting when considering the impact of colour vision deficiency on aviation safety. Advances in technology, operating techniques and human factors training can now mitigate many of the safety risks of colour vision deficiency. Technology to assist pilots has developed significantly and the impact of colour vision deficiency on aviation safety should take these changes into account. These factors have been recognised overseas, most recently in New Zealand where a new approach to colour vision deficiency came into effect in May 2019, which includes an operational colour vision assessment. This assessment comprises a ground-based assessment and an in-flight assessment which looks at a pilot’s ability to interpret visual information. A separate assessment is done for day flying and for night flying.
We have decided to adopt this approach to colour vision deficiency assessment and in the short term we will recognise the New Zealand operational colour vision assessment as an alternative to Australia’s current third level of testing. Work is already well underway on the development of an Australian operational test for colour vision deficiency by mid-2020. Any Australian pilots who wish to use the New Zealand assessment can do so now, although it will require travel to that country. CASA has carefully examined all relevant safety issues and believes this new approach offers a practical alternative assessment for colour vision deficient pilots. We have listened to the views of pilots and made judgements based on research and evidence.
Best wishes
Shane Carmody