Right, lets get this straight, you're bright, motivated, want to fly for a living, but suffer from colour blindness.
First things first, an aeronautics degree is fascinating and opens up many jobs that are entirely around aviation. Some of them (such as for example flight test engineer, which I did for quite a few years and still do occasionally) involve a lot of flying and depending upon where you work may not require a full JAR standard medical (Britten-Norman for example requires a JAR Class 2 from it's FTEs which I imagine you've already got). It is hard work, and so is getting into those sort of jobs afterwards, but I get the impression that itself wouldn't worry you.
Secondly let me introduce you to a CAA form called the FCL 150A/B. This is the medical required to fly as pilot in command of a balloon or microlight. Both have opportunities to fly for a living - the former as a CPL or instructor, the latter as an instructor. Most people who make their living in either also deal a lot with servicing, sales, etc - which to my mind at-least makes it more interesting than JUST flying. The certificate on page 2 says...
"Colour Vision must be assessed (not required for balloon pilots). If colour vision is abnormal the following limitation applies: Valid only at aerodromes or landing grounds where, if Air Traffic Control is provided, it is by means of radio communication".
For the record I'm a Chartered Engineer, who partly earns his living surveying new and modified designs for safety, partly flight testing larger singles and lighter twins as an FTE, partly flight testing microlights as a Test Pilot. I spend my whole life around aeroplanes, do lots of flying, get paid for it fairly well, and although I don't suffer the same problem, none of this is excluded from you by your colour blindness.
Think laterally, good luck, and if you want to talk about specifics either post here or Email me directly.
A couple of final thoughts, the best paid jobs in aviation (apart from members of the board of directors) are airline captains, I don't and you wouldn't be able to make that sort of money. But, £20-£40k at todays rates is not unreasonable in the sort of jobs I point out, which isn't embarrassing. Also, if let's say in 10 years a cure for your colour blindness is found - a microlight instructor or commercial balloon pilot is MUCH better placed to then drop everything and get an ATPL(A) than, say, somebody who is working in retail management or some other totally non-aviation career.
Complements,
Genghis
Last edited by Genghis the Engineer; 5th June 2002 at 06:38.