paska

Hi Everyone ,

Im new to this website and found some really interesting posts relating to color vision.

I have failed the ishihara plate test and the farnsworth lantern test. I am yet to have completed a light signal test, but i dont have a good feeling about it...

I want to ask: Is it possible to obtain an ATPL having failed all possible color vision tests? Is there a way to obtained an unrestricted license however only valid within Australian airspace for example? Do airlines even consider people with color vision issues or just completely disregard their applications?

Sorry for so many questions, but its extremely difficult to find straight answers or people with information relevant to this topic.

Thank you all

vee1-rotate

Hi there,

this post mostly directed towards those in Australia, but may be interesting to others.

I've been on this website for about 11 years now I think ... found out I had colour vision issues early on in my flying, about 2005. It was discovered when I was going for my class 2 medical so I could complete my first solo. Obviously the common theme ... go to do the ishihara plates and could barely see them.

Obviously it was a big kick in the teeth for a youngster like me who lived and breathed flying. To cut a long story short, I followed the procedures and then went and got a Farnsworth Lantern test done at the College of Optometry in Melbourne. This was listed as a fail as well, so my career aspirations of flying were put to the side.

About 4 years ago I went to get a heap of testing done with a specialist eye doctor who also specialised in colour vision testing; Dr John Parkes. The overall consensus after about 3 hours of testing was that I had "moderate colour vision deficiancy" and the recommendation he made in a printed letter to me was that I would most likely not pass the Aviation Signal Light Test.

Fast Forward 4 years to about 1 month ago, and I had basically written off a career flying. I decided to book in the Signal Light Test for the heck of it.

I passed first go.

I now have no restrictions on my medical at all and am free to fly and obtain a full Class 1 medical. As opposed to what I did have, which was a medical with restrictions up to and including CPL and valid within Australian airspace.

I guess this is a message to those that haven't used up all their options, to do so before you totally write off a career in flying. Also, be persistent despite even the most (apparently) strong medical advice, because that isn't always true.

Any questions, just ask.

ErikJohansson

My dream has always been to become a airline pilot. So directly after i ended my highschool here in sweden i started my flight training at a professional flight school here in Sweden.

I already had a medical class 2 for my gliding license, and when i did it i passed the Ishaihara 24 plates whit no problems.

So when i was going to start the ATPL-theory i went to the medical centre in stockholm for my medical class 1, and failed the ishihara and lantern test.

After that i went to another medical institution and PASSED the Isharihara whit no problems.

So I read alot here on PPRUNE about the testing and i have some questions:

* When i did my lentern test i did it whit the lights on in the room, and one time whit the lights off. Is this correct?

* I also read in the colour vision thred that i was supposed to sit in a dark room 10min before i did my lantern test- is this a recruitment? Because i did not do that.

* Does anyone know how long the distance between the lamps and me should be during the testing?

* And is it a recruitment that the ishihara test should be taken under daylight or under artifitial daylight or is it okey to do the test under normal "room light?"

I also passed the ishihara test TWO times when applying to the swedish airforce.

Tank´s for a very good forum.

FlyEJF

Hello All,

I currently have class 2 medical and have been down to Gatwick to take the Lantern test as I fail the Ishihara plates. I passed the Lantern test in 2008 (approx). I was told by the lady who conducted the test that because I passed it if I came back for a Class 1 medical I wouldn't have to repeat it. After a few years I now need to get my Class 1 medical and have noticed that they have changed the colour vision test. They no longer perform the Lantern test but a new CAD test.

My question is will I have to pass the new CAD test or will they accept my pass on the old lantern test?

Hope someone can shed some light.

covad83

To get a class 1 medical you need to pass the Ishihara plates and the "Fast-CAD" test. If you fail then you need to do the extended version.

If you have taken and passed the lantern test then you shouldn't have a problem passing the CAD tests but you'll still have to take them.

FlyEJF

Hi,

I phoned the CAA today and the chap on the phone said that I would not have to retake the colour vision assessment as I had already passed it.

Hopefully that will still be the case when I attend the medical later this month.

Scottish.CPL

covad83

can you be more specific on the cad statement, you said fast cad, and them if failed the extended cad test.

can you explain this???

ndr1804

"Tower flashes red/green lights at cv retard". Could we have less of this. Please. Do you work for EASA.? Although I do agree with the tests performed as a basis for qualification for your medical.

I saw this web page for the states.

Color Perception And Visual Acuity

So why can't we have the same test for us here. Who the hell is EASA anyway.?

So if the CAA or JAR or is it EASA anyway,( Hell it must be nice to have the same organisation ruling for years coming from the same country) If, which ever organisation is ruling allow the FAA or other World Aviation Authorities pilots to fly a their registered aircraft over here on the medical standards of the relevent authority after passing their CVD test and I'm prevented from flying a G reg in my own air space is that not against my human rights to allow one standard in and yet prevent another just because of his origin location.????????????????? or are EASA going to rule the world and try stop the rest of the worlds airlines pilots from flying in EU airspace unless they have passed the EASA regs......? Why does aviation in the US and elsewhere seem so pleasant and easy.....the rest of the world can't all have it wrong surely........Come EASA lets have some thinking outside of the EU please....

jetcareerseeker

Do you have to keep getting your colour vision retested after passing the practical signal test (for Australian CASA), every time you take your medical? Or is it a one time thing?

Fruet Mich

Hi guys,

I am a colour devicient pilot, fail the Ishihara, farnsworth, Holmes wright and just recently the CAD test in a big way! It diagnosis severe CVD. I do however pass with ease a practical environmental test in an aircraft testing papi, tower signal gun and all other aeronautical lights known to man.

This just goes to show that there is very little understanding in the field of science when it comes to colour vision and it's application to aviation.

I believe the CAD test is a result of a study group that was put together after the only accident in the history of aviation that involved a colour deficient FO in the 2002 FedEx B727 Tallahassee crash. The rather dubious findings put part of the blame on the FO having a history of CVD not correctly identifying the papi approach lights. He was an ex navy pilot with thousands of hours experience. Interesting thing was that 66% of the crew, the Capt and Flight Engineer, all pilots on board that day told the enquiry the all saw the aircraft on papi slope yet the findings put part of the accident down to CVD. The FAA asked for a study group to be formed, from there the infamous CAD was conceived!

The interesting thing is, has the FO from the Tallehassee crash ever been tested on CAD?

In Britain I believe there is a law against discrimination? Don't let these authorities dictate your future without backing their scientific theories with hard evidence. There would have to be millions of flight hours flown safely under CVD pilots with no accidents against a scientific theory. It's a bit like FAA signing off a new type of aircraft or engine after so many test flights.

Don't give in to these academics. Take them to task, if you can prove you can see the colours in aviation that's all you have to do.

I also failed the Emirates CAD, oh well, maybe it was a blessing in disguise!

Happy flying

G-ALICE

Good day, I am a commercial pilot with over 2500 hours experience and looking to move overseas for a job overseas. I have a full class one jar medical.

I had to pass the lantern colour vision test to get this medical (red/green colour deficiency). Are there some countries that will simply not give me a class one medical because of this?

ILS 26R

I have some good information on this. So, if you are interested drop me a line.
Thank you

jetcareerseeker

If you pass the practical signal light test, or any of the other colour vision testing do you have to retake it upon renewal? Colour perception does not change. So with that being said, what happens during the renewal of your medical? Do you have to go through the hoops with having to take the practical signal test again (if that is all you can pass)?

What experiences have people had with this test?

Hopetofly

Hi Folks, I posted this question in the wannabe section http://www.pprune.org/interviews-job...ur-vision.html its a bit long winded so ill sum it up here.

Basically I am unable to identify most of the red/green test plates in the Ishihara test, I took a Holmes wright lantern test, and was told by the AME that i passed and i could hold an unrestricted class one medical if i passed the other parts of the examine.

What i am wondering is, do most airlines hold their own company medicals before offering you a job, and if so will they cut me from the list when i fail the ishihara or will the accept the fact that i have passed the lantern test?

Anybody being in this situation?

Thanks in advance!

jetcareerseeker

All the airlines in America have done away with internal medical flight departments except Anerican airlines. With that being said, so long as you have a valid first class medical, then you are good to go. No additional testing required to get that job with an airline. Now for American, I am not sure if they use the Ishihara. I had my color vision tested with them back in 2006 using a binocular type testing device which I passed with flying colors.

What is the Holmes wright lantern test like? Have you taken the Farnsworth, and if so would you say the Holmes wright is easier to pass?

jetcareerseeker

Sorry I made the assumption that you were based in the United States.

Hopetofly

Hi Jetcareerseeker, thanks for your reply, even though im from Ireland it is good to hear information from any country so no need to apologise.

I have only ever done the ishihara and the holmes wright test. For the Holmes wright test you basically sit in a room about 5 meters away from a little black box which shines two LEDs at a time. The LEDs can be any mix of red, green or white in colour and you have to identify them correctly to pass. During my test i was given about 150 different sequences which took about 30 mins. If anybody wants more detail about the test PM me and ill go into more detail.

John R81

I hold a class 2 medical with restriction to day VFR as I failed the colour test.

I found this online test A new web-based colour vision test | City University London

I lose the square from 1 minute 01 to minute 03. I can follow it the rest of the time

jetcareerseeker

The university in Victoria that does indepth colour vision exams offers the farnsworth and the modified farnsworth test. If you fail the farnsworth and the modified farnsworth, does that preclude you from taking the practical signal light test? Is the modified farnsworth considered equivalent to the practical test, is specifically what I am asking. Also, what are the experiences people have had with the practical signal light? How vivid are the colours they shoot at you?

PPRuNeUser0161

Jetcareerseeker
I failed the Ichihara and the farnsworth back in the mid 90's. Did the modified farnsworth at the Vic College of Optometry and passed 100 percent. Back then it only displayed red and white with no green at all. The colors were tainted with a bit of brown to simulate dust in the atmosphere etc but overall I found it quite doable. You take the test under standardFarnsworth conditions. You are in a darkened room and view the lights reflected through a mirror about 10 ft in fron of you with the actual lantern and operator being behind you.

I believe if you fail the modified lantern that's it your done and dusted. I did it because the practical test was not available back then and in hindsight that worked in my favor as if green was displayed I'm sure I would have failed it. These details may have change since I did it but that's my experience. Perhaps you can attend the college and ask to do the color vision testing without being refered by CASA?