G'day Palgia,
On the face of it, the NTSB conclusions and recommendations would appear to present a setback for all us CVDs. Particularly those aspiring to get into the big jets. But I wouldn't be throwing in the towell just yet.
Since Pape always used the point that no accident was ever attributed to defective color vision, this accident changes everything. I think the long-term political implications of this accident are disastrous for CVD pilots (or future pilots).
The issue of the pilot's colour vision was just one of four contributing factors cited in investigation. What is not stated though is whether or not his colour vision is normally able to differentiate the PAPI lights. PAPI to me as a CVD are pretty damn obvious so I wonder what the other pilot was doing whilst 4 reds were allegedly appearing before his eyes.
What also needs to be kept in mind is the large number of pilots already out there flying heavies with abnormal colour vision. If the regulators are going to stop those of us who cannot correctly interpret every plate on an Ishihara test from gaining a licence then surely they will be forced also to remove the medical of those currently flying with the same condition. That I believe is when the real battles will begin.