A friend (yes, really) has had a lifelong ambition to be a commercial pilot. He went for his Class 1 medical at Gatwick years ago and failed the Ishihara test, not previously knowing he had a colour deficiency. He assumed that this was the end of that particular ambition.
Being aware of this thread, I encouraged him to have his colour vision tested properly. (I also fail the Ishihara test, but passed a lantern test at the Institute of Opthamology which was acceptable to the CAA and allowed me to work airside. This same test result allowed me to have an unrestricted Class 2 medical).
Cutting a long story short, he decided to do the City University CAD test prior to his Class 1 medical. He was assured by the CAA that a pass at City University would be acceptable evidence of colour vision for his Class 1. He took the test and passed last week, sent the evidence to the CAA and was told he would have to undertake three more colour tests at Gatwick (at an extra cost of £125 on top of his medical fee). Apparently his pass at City was deemed to be "marginal" by the CAA.
Surely a pass is a pass. If I take an aviation exam and pass with 76% it is still a pass. I wouldn't expect to have to take the exam three more times because it is "marginal".
Has anyone come across this before?