Last week CVDPA directors Dr Arthur Pape, Clinton McKenzie and myself met with CASA CEO Pip Spence and some of her senior managers in Canberra to discuss this ongoing CVD debacle.. During this meeting we made our views very clear that we will accept nothing less than the removal of the CAD test as a 'third tier' test and the reinstatement of a valid operational test in its place, which once passed will result in a full unrestricted medical insofar as colour vision is concerned.
CVDPA intends to host another live web broadcast on around the 14th February (TBC) by which time we expect to have more to report, but for now we can advise the following as a result of our recent meeting and confirmed in a follow up email from Ms Spence. Stay tuned for more details regarding our next web broadcast over the coming week.
Current Status:- CASA are considering our input and and are currently preparing to present a recommendation for sign-off at an upcoming Aviation Safety Committee (ASC) meeting in the first week of Feb
- NO test is currently being applied as a 'third tier' test under CASR 67.150 (6)(c)
- CASA purport to be considering each new applicant on a case-by-case basis and have not changed existing conditions for any pilots who renewed
- CASA advise that they will engage with CVDPA again to confirm what they propose to do
Senate Estimates:- CASA's (non) answers to Senator Fawcett's questions on notice from the October Estimates hearings were recently published:
- CASA is next scheduled to appear before Senate Estimates again on 12/13 February during which it is possible that CVD issues will again be raised
CVDPA ADVICE TO ALL CVD PILOTS:
One of the remarkable statements by Ms Spence during her follow up email to us is that "no test is currently being applied as a 'third tier' test under CASR 67.150 (6)(c)."
Could anyone anyone who has received recent correspondence from CASA (within the last two months) describing the CAD as a 'third tier' or 'third level' test that must be undertaken and passed in order to be assessed as meeting the colour perception criterion, please contact CVDPA? Feel free to email me at
[email protected].
In the meantime, we would advise:
- Do not do any test other than Ishihara and Farnsworth, unless CASA has represented to you, in writing, that: (1) the other test has been determined as a third tier test in accordance with CASRs 67.150(6)(c) and 67.155(6)(c); and (2) if you pass the test you will be issued with a ‘clean’ certificate so far as colour vision is concerned (that’s what the law requires CASA to do). Any other test will merely be a waste of your time and money and be used by AvMed to decide how much to restrict you, having already decided you don’t meet the standard.
- Prior to doing the Ishihara test using the paper book, confirm with the DAME that the book has not passed its ‘use by’ date (this is not a joke!) and ensure the the lighting conditions are adequate.
- Before you do Farnsworth, confirm, with the administrator of the test, that the equipment is functioning properly.
- Unless and until CASA has again determined a proper test simulating an operational situation in terms of CASRs 67.150(6)(c) and 67.155(6)(c) - such as the previously-administered OCVA - candidates with CVD are better off going to New Zealand or the USA to obtain/maintain their qualifications and medical certification
Hopefully we will have some more (positive) news to report soon if CASA ultimately comes to its senses and does the right (and legal) thing, but for now this is the current state of play.
John O'Brien