Category 1 Restrictions
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 22
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From: The 6
Category 1 Restrictions
Hi I was trying out for Cathay Pacific's cadet program, didnt make it the first time.
I am hoping to go back later in a few years and try again, but I really want to know if I can get a waiver for my Category 1 restrictions. I don't know where you can do it other than the local optometrist and their Farnesworth test... I have been told, they are in accurate, and that results defer at different lighting environment. In addition, Canada doesn't have the light gun test or the FAA special exam.
The problem I have is "colour deficiency" or colour weakness. I am not colour blind, I can tell the different kinds of colours, except a specific shades of colour (like dark blue may look like purple to me) or when you put a collection of similar colour together I get confused. I don't think it is that severe because I can tell the different colours on the street signs and even christmas lights but i dont get how I failed the farnsworth test...
I am hoping to go back later in a few years and try again, but I really want to know if I can get a waiver for my Category 1 restrictions. I don't know where you can do it other than the local optometrist and their Farnesworth test... I have been told, they are in accurate, and that results defer at different lighting environment. In addition, Canada doesn't have the light gun test or the FAA special exam.
The problem I have is "colour deficiency" or colour weakness. I am not colour blind, I can tell the different kinds of colours, except a specific shades of colour (like dark blue may look like purple to me) or when you put a collection of similar colour together I get confused. I don't think it is that severe because I can tell the different colours on the street signs and even christmas lights but i dont get how I failed the farnsworth test...
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 517
Likes: 37
From: Kelowna Wine Country
If you are red green deficient you will fail the Farnsworth test.
I failed it forty eight years ago when I applied for RAF Flying Scholarship. It also ruled me out of a CPL and a career in Flying.
Surprisingly I have, since then, designed colours for stains as part of my furniture business. The deficiency has only been apparent in daily life on maybe half a dozen occasions in the last forty odd years. Meeting just the shades of red and green that don't register when compared is rare outside of aviation and marine environments and apparently not all that common there.
It was unbelievably stupid of those who chose the earliest navigation lights to choose red and green when those are the prevalent colour deficiencies for humans!
At the time I didn't know that other countries had other tests and different standards (no internet!) so I had be content with a PPL which in the UK didn't then require a colour test. Since I moved to Canada I have got a 'Recreational Permit' which also does not require a test althought the Canadian PPL does. Also here you may opt for other tests if you fail the Ishahara (which I do every time!)
If you are dead set then I'd suggest you look around for a country for which you meet the standards and take flight training there.
This has been an ongoing battle in, for instance, Australia where a doctor has challenged the usefulness of the standadrs and some pilots have been granted licences based on 'practical' tests but some are still failed based on the old standards.
I failed it forty eight years ago when I applied for RAF Flying Scholarship. It also ruled me out of a CPL and a career in Flying.
Surprisingly I have, since then, designed colours for stains as part of my furniture business. The deficiency has only been apparent in daily life on maybe half a dozen occasions in the last forty odd years. Meeting just the shades of red and green that don't register when compared is rare outside of aviation and marine environments and apparently not all that common there.
It was unbelievably stupid of those who chose the earliest navigation lights to choose red and green when those are the prevalent colour deficiencies for humans!
At the time I didn't know that other countries had other tests and different standards (no internet!) so I had be content with a PPL which in the UK didn't then require a colour test. Since I moved to Canada I have got a 'Recreational Permit' which also does not require a test althought the Canadian PPL does. Also here you may opt for other tests if you fail the Ishahara (which I do every time!)
If you are dead set then I'd suggest you look around for a country for which you meet the standards and take flight training there.
This has been an ongoing battle in, for instance, Australia where a doctor has challenged the usefulness of the standadrs and some pilots have been granted licences based on 'practical' tests but some are still failed based on the old standards.
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: Northern Europe
ChrisVJ
Well, I believe that colour blindness was not commonly understood back then. There was a train collision in Sweden in 1875 caused by colour blindness. Railway staff were at that time not checked for colour blindness although colour light signals were in general use.
It was unbelievably stupid of those who chose the earliest navigation lights to choose red and green when those are the prevalent colour deficiencies for humans!
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 517
Likes: 37
From: Kelowna Wine Country
Sorry, what I should have said is that if you failed the Farnsworth test it is unlikely you will pass any of the others, perhaps except a practical light gun. I suspect if it is about a Cathay Cadet program you are stuck with their jurisdiction and their test.
I was surprised when I failed too, a life changing moment.
I was surprised when I failed too, a life changing moment.
