davidgq

so ive just been accepted into a flight program at a college on the condition that i pass an FAA class 2 physical, which im recently doubting i can do. ive always had horrible vision but i assumed it was fully corrected by my contacts. on a recent visit to the doc to renew my contacts i told him about wanted to fly and he crushed my dreams. the best he can get my vision is 20/30.

so now i dont know what to do. is there any chance i can pass the physical? im guessing the answer is no, but can i get any exceptions, or limitations? i wont be flying any time soon, or at least nothing that requires a class 2. i just need it for school.

world

David, I ve read on one US website (i cant remeber it) that there are waivers, who have vision corrected to 20/80 and still can fly.
I dont thing that 20/30 will be a big problem.

G/A

Hi whitelabel,

I made an appointment for next tuesday, so weŽll see if it works. I hope so! Anyway thanks for the advise.

regards
G/A

2close

In fact, are there any legal experts out there with knowledge of the aviation industry who would like to comment on this?

I know my solicitor's opinions but I would rather refrain from commenting at this point as I wouldn't wish to prejudice another's comments.

2close

IO540

I don't "come here often" but it's an interesting thread. The colour vision testing business is a farce. I almost totally fail the Isihara plates but passed the H-W lantern test 100%.

I take it you have all read John Pape's paper.

davidd

G/A Did you take the test on the tuesday ?
Did you Pass?

east_sider

Hi All

Having had an extensive read back through pretty much all the colour vision threads on PPRuNe over the christmas break, I picked up on the Beyne lantern test, something I somehow missed before. General opinion seems to be this is the easiest of the lanterns. Its also the only one I've not attempted, so I've booked in to take it at Gatwick next week.

Anyone got any advice on this test, how it is run, what should the conditions be and any tips to maximise my chances of passing...?

Still haven't quite given up the Class 1 dream

thanks

2close

East-Sider,

You will be informed that you will see ONE light at a time, and that each light will be either RED, GREEN, WHITE, YELLOW or BLUE (I think).

You will sit opposite a mirror and the light is projected from the lantern onto the mirror. The effective distance is either 5 or 6 metres for the Beynes test, the other distance being applied to the H-W test.

The test is conducted in a darkened room, lit artificially with a lamp which is projected onto the wall at the side of the mirror.

HTH and Good Luck.

2close

davidd

Good Luck East Sider, let us know how you get on.

east_sider

Thanks both I will let you know how I go.

Its white and green I struggle with, on the holmes wright I tried to look at the "rays" of light coming out from the dot...... if you imagine how you would draw a cartoon sun, a circle with lines coming out from it.... I was trying to use those. My theory being for the white light those lines would be longer, on the green light they would be shorter.... it didn't seem to work though!!

Anyone else tried something like that successfully, either on HW or Beyene lantern?

cheers
ES

biggles7374

I tried a similar thing too, and it doesn't work.

When they show you the demo lights they only show you two lights at a high intensity, they then say this is red and this is green Okay? Only it isn't!!!!! What is the point of demonstrating the lights when the lights used in the actual test have a different luminence etc. Talk about leading you down the garden path!!

Does anyone know what lanterns the Irish CAA in Dublin use if any?

benwizz

Hi there, I have a few questions about the UK Initial Class 1.

Would it be advised to wait until the new colour vision testing in implemented, it said somewhere here around March 2007 maybe. Also, is there presently both the Beynes and the H-W test? Do you get a choice of which test?

Also, if you fail, and they then bring out new testing equipment, would you be allowed another attempt?

Any advice would be appreciated

unfazed

Bealzebub

While no one denies that they are rather good eggs the fact is that they are working to some very unfair and outdated rules and nobody at Gatwick medical department seems able to change things and make it more sensible and fair.

We don't want them to fudge their unrealistic tests because no amount of fudging will make you see colours if you can't see them

What I for one want is a regulatory body that looks at things sensibly and has rules that are based on facts and safety and take into account safety data (which FAA have lots of).

Come on how many people in the UK have crashed through traffic lights because they can't "see" the red light -

CAA Medical stop being good eggs and make a difference by modernising this nonsense.

biggles7374

I am thinking of booking a Beyne Lantern Test at AEC in Hoofdorp, does anyone know what their protocol is for conducting the test and whether this is different from the protocol used by the CAA?

Do they demonstrate the colours prior to the test?

I ask this because I read an article written by the bods at City university that stated that many people fail the bayne because the first light should be read as white, but the colour displayed is a yellowish orange (ie not white) so many people call this as yellow (oops test failed!!!)

Any response would be appreciated.

east_sider

Benwizz, as of today at CAA Gatwick you can do any/all of isihara plates, HW lantern, Beyne lantern, you only have to pass one once and your ok. If you fail and a new test was introduced I'm not sure if you could take it again, hopefully so.

But if you are 16 as your profile says maybe wait a little while, presumably you are finishing school and maybe considering uni or a gap year before starting commercial training?

I've taken part in the trials for the new "PAPI simulator" colour test which will likely be introduced sometime in 2007-08 and from my experience its no easier than HW or any of the others....

Actually maybe you'd be better to have a go at HW or Beyne in case they scrap those when the PAPI comes in!

Might be worth giving the medical division at Gatwick a call at some point, I've found them helpful and interested in giving me the best chance to pass so far.

All the best

benwizz

Thanks east_sider. My test is booked for feb when I'll be 17, just to see if I can get the medical before making any decisions about university etc.

Thanks again for your help

gijoe

Well said - they are professional and know their stuff. They are charged with implementing the rules as they stand and will try to help wherever possible. It is the rules that need to change and not the people.....although their charges could be a little less painful...

proctor

Hello all,

I'm currently facing an infuriating situation involving my eyes . Having gone through the laborious process of applying to the RAF as a pilot assuming that eyesight would be the least of my worries (I'm pushing 6 foot five at 17), I was shocked to receive the reply stereovision is below the required standard for this branch.

I contacted the (private) optician who had tested me, and she reckoned that my result of 240 seconds of arc was pretty normal.

I was just wondering if anyone happened to know what a standard stereopsis test should be. As a dedicated cross-country runner I was more than a bit miffed to be told the standards of medical fitness required by the RAF are necessarily high...

Thanks,

Proctor

DuffyDuck

the RAF have their own medical. 240 s/arc are not normal. Normal is about 40- 60. But anyway, following the Jar-Fcl, there is no sterovision required. you must have 2 working eyes, and sufficient fusional reserves to prevent doublevision.

proctor

Wow, thanks for that. It's funny, I'm absolutly unaware of any problem (having tried several quick tests on the internet, and never having had so much as an incling of eye problems before). Looks like I'll have to leave the RAF idea well and truely behind .