Medicial Information Regarding ATCO

[benjamin.dordoigne]

Hi,

Where could I find a medicial form / requirements to be a air traffic controller?

I am color blind and I would like to find the info!

Thanks,

Ben.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

I don't know the current rules, but colourblindness was an exclusion some years ago. You would be well advised to talk to the medics at Gatwick and they will give you definitive information.

You may find useful info here: Air Traffic Controller Licensing | Air Traffic Standards | Safety Regulation (http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=43&pagetype=70&gid=819)

and here: http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/43/a_guide_to_atc_licensing.pdf

[Roffa]

UK ATCOs now do the European Class 3 medical. This is what it says on the CAA site with regards colour vision...

Colour Vision Requirements

UK CAA colour vision requirements for European Class 3 (ATCO) certification

Colour Vision

An applicant for a European Class 3 medical certificate must have normal colour vision (normal trichromacy).

An initial applicant must make no errors when tested on the first 15 plates of the standard 24 plate Ishihara Test (a series of numbers outlined by different coloured dots, easily seen by someone with normal colour vision).

Those failing the Ishihara test will be referred to the AMC for secondary testing.



See here (http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=49&pagetype=90&pageid=10881) and here (http://www.eurocontrol.int/safety/gallery/content/public/library/L4.pdf) for more detail.

[Pat42]

Assuming that you are thinking of going the NATS route documentation regarding their medical requirements can be found here: http://www.atcocareers.co.uk/pdf/ATCO-Recruitment-Standard-Medical-Clearance.pdf

I hate to be the bringer of bad news but I'm afraid that presently any form of colour-blindness is an immediate and definitive disqualifier for ATCOs.