Colour Blindness

[AirNoServicesAustralia]

Just wondering if anyone can shed some light on the current situation relating to the lantern test for colour blindness for Aviation medicals. Last I heard CASA had said no lantern test could be used, is this still the case??

[Hempy]

:sad: Get yourself some glasses Tezz

[ugly]

I recall from some AOPA mags the Dr Arthur Pape was a major campaigner regarding colour blindness and flying in Australia. Try and contact him via the AOPA office

[Jet_A_Knight]

You can attempt the Farnsworth Lantern Test (FALANT) and if you fail that you can attempt the Lightgun test (tower lights fired at you`) and if you pass them - you're in the clear.

[bigmuzb]

G'day,

We had a bit of a discussion about this recently: Trylink to prune thread (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=100326&highlight=colour)

I am still waiting for another couple of headahes to be resolved but I believe that the colour deficiency issue is potentially resolveable.

Good luck

Muz

[AirNoServicesAustralia]

Thanks guys. I am particularly referring to the fact that CASA and in turn AirServices said a lantern test pass was no longer acceptable to work as an ATC. If anyone has any info in relation to that it would be appreciated.

P.S Hempy I was always told it would make me go blind! BTW check your PM's

[ALLBLACK]

Have u herad this in NZ, young little dumb kids in this country can ask for money from the government to start flying without any medicals to be done , half way through they realise that they cant hear ,,, they cant see at night ,,, they cant breath ,,, they cant walk straight , etc etc etc after they alomost get there PPL ,,, what a wast of taxpayers money ......

prop

[Mixture Rich]

You are correct!
According to the latest DAME Handbook on the CASA website, for an ORIGINAL issue Class 3 medical, the applicant MUST pass the Ishihara Test. That one is the book of coloured numbers shown to you by the DAME.
There is however a letter on the same website which says that for ATC's who already have their medical, they will continue to hold that medical despite the fact that they may not meet the new standard under the CASR Part 67. Colour vision is not usually retested on renewing your medical because you can't become colour blind after you have been shown not to be and of course you cant get better if you are already colour blind. If however an ATC lost his medical and had to undergo an "original" medical again then the new standards may apply unless you were granted an exemption.
This is my understanding of the 'new' regs ie CASR part 67.
The Farnworth lantern test and the Light Gun Test from the Tower onlu applies to pilots ie student/GFPT/PPL/CPL and allows, on passing, a NVFR Rating.
Regards
MR

[Spodman]

Orrr thei cant typp,,,

Seriously though Airey, this has dropped off the headlines a bit here, but most affected are working again (as far as I am aware anyhow, you know how juicy rumours bounce off me). I'll ask around and advise.

[AirNoServicesAustralia]

Cheers Spod. Happy where I am, but just wanting to know the options down the line. My problem is my Australian medical has expired, and even though I now have my Aviation Medical here, I'm sure I'll have to go through all the hoops when I get back, and therefore not having the lantern test at my disposal, I might be chewing sand a bit longer than I intended.

[Eurocap]

Of course one of the problems in Australia is that the red dust covers the gum trees green leaves and so it is very hard to distinguish between red and green.

One bit of advice is when you are looking at the green background of the Ishihara plate look for the red/brown number and vice-versa, the brown background look for the green number.

If you still have no luck then blame your mother.

:O :O :O :O

[Mixture Rich]

I think you only have to have another "original" medical done if your medical has been expired for >5yrs, otherwise it is another "renewal" medical which is performed but your medical certficate cannot be endorsed by the DAME, it has to be done by CASA. There is no colour blindness test done for renewals.

[Kaptin M]

I have been told through a fairly reliable source, that ALL eyesight tests should be carried out in NATURAL light ie. not artificial incandescent, or fluorescent electric lighting.
Certainly I have noticed a temporary deterioration in my vision following groundschools that run for several weeks. I've also noticed how much easier it is to read small print outside by day, vs indoors under artificial lights.

If you're marginal on Ishihara, try it outside and see if it makes any difference.

[Eurocap]

Kap,

I would have to agree with you. Natural light is the only way to go.

Many years ago I failed an Ishihara test after having lived up in North-Western Australia for a few years and performing the test under flourescent light.

On returning to civilisation for a couple of years I had to sit the test again when applying to join the Army and told the specialist that I was colour blind as I had failed the Ishihara test before.

After performing the Ishihara test and other extensive colour blindness tests, all of which I passed, he informed me that living in the red dust environment may have affected me and also testing under anything but natural light would also have some effect on the outcome of the test.

:ok: :ok:

[Mixture Rich]

Not quite correct re the fluro tubes. CASA specify which type of tube you can have the test performed under ie there is a special dalight variety of tube which should be installed in rooms used for ishihara testing. Failing that, the test should be taken in daylight but not direct sunlight. It is all specified in the online DAME handbook on the CASA website.
Regards
MR:sad:

[knackeredII]

Kaptin, the reason that you find the small print easier to read outside than in during the day is that your visual acuity (ie sharpness of vision) is better the smaller your pupil, so the more the light the sharper your vision. This is something you tend to notice as you get older.

A search on Google will come up with a number of Ishihara plate tests you can do online, which should be independent of the light source.

[ISHIHARA]

Ahhh yes this lovely thread again!

The saviour is the Light Gun Test.
I did mine at Bankstown Airport and got it..................

PM me if you need info.

[Kaptin M]

That's interesting, knackered - I mean about the online tests - I wouldn't know about the age thing yet :cool: - as the tests would already have the background illumination benefit of the monitor, however the illumination of tests done by book or card are dependent upon overhead lighting.
Additionally, I doubt that pupil size would have any affect on colour blindness - only on, as you say acuity or defintion...3's become 8's, c's become o's.....so I'm told :O .
But what is affected when artificial light is used (instead of natural) is the spectrum of light - natural sunlight providing a wider range of light "rays" and at a different intensity to artificial illumination, which does affect the way in which the pupil absorbs the picture and the brain processes it. :confused:

[knackeredII]

Kaptin, can't argue with that!

[DIVINE WIND]

Passing the lantern test WILL allow you to hold an ATPL. I know, I went through all of of this a few years ago. It is hard to find an expert on the subject who knows the full deal. You are also Ok for the Army or RAAF, but not the Navy.
Happy days!:cool: