The battle over CVD standards in New Zealand has been heating up over recent months, with a review into the standards currently underway.

The issue has even made it into the NZ Parliament where the standards were recently questioned:

New Zealand Parliament - 6. Pilot Licensing?Colour Vision Requirements

I have been informed that in July there was also a meeting by a group including representatives from CVDPA, AOPA NZ, AIA and several more supporting the interests of CVD pilots. They met with the top brass of the NZ CAA and are lobbying hard to align the NZ standards with that of Australia.

There is certainly momentum starting to build at all levels internationally to challenge the standards. If you would like to see change, get behind organisations like CVDPA to show your support!

Can't see CAA making any changes ESP over this

A worthwhile read below for anyone interested in the progress being made in NZ.

Colour deficient pilots: Is there light at the end of this tunnel?

Combined with an additional legal challenge being mounted in Oz, successful outcomes in these two countries will likely have positive ramifications for the rest of the world in the future.

Hello,

Two quesions regarding the tests at City:
- I have been trying to book a colour vision test for a few days now. The phone number on the web page seems to be for a different clinic (or at least the lady who picked up said so), and I was given a phone number to a lady called Marisa, who doesn't seem to pick up her phone. I left her a few messages, but no response so far. Does anyone have a valid contact for bookings for the colour vision clinic at City?

- Secondly, would the pass at City be enough for a class 2 medical, or would I also have to go to Gatwick for a test afterwards? I haven't had any "official" test yet, but I know I will fail the Ishihara, as I always have failed it (although I have been tested using lanterns and other methods a few years ago for another thing, and was declared only margianlly colour deficient, so should be colour safe for flying)

Hi,
Growing up all I wanted to be was an airline pilot.
I just have a question with regards colour vision. I went to the CAA in Gatwick a few months back. Failed on the ispharia plates and then also failed on the CAD computer test. Everything else I passed with flying colours. They issued me with a restricted medical to day time flying only.
Now I never knew I had a problem with colours previous to this and still in everyday life I don't find it an issues.
I'm just wondering is that the end for me with regards flying commercially? I no in Australia that you can be a 1st officer apparently but can't become a captain.
I have around 10 hours done building towards my PPL which I can obviously complete with the medial Ihave.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Did you ask the CAA when you were there about it? Or the instructor you are flying with now?

You should consider FAA route via USA

You can take a signal light tast an airport
With exonerated and if you pass you are issued
With a waiver. There may well be other eye tests
That you can sit.

You will need a visa for work in USA but
Many US aircraft flying globally

CAA wasted 15 years of my career due to
This but I passed the "new" CAD test so am Kosher
Now and enjoy training at night in UK and Sligo which
Was brilliant

Never give up on your dream but don't let
It take over your life either, keep it going
As best you can. Enjoy your flying

I kept going despite a solid wall of beaurocracy and now
Hold EASA ATPLf IR FI ME examiner so never
Let the "experts" stop you flying

Best of luck for your flying future

Thanks a lot.
I asked one of the doctors that was doing the medical and he just said I'm afraid that rules you out for commercial flying. I didn't ask my instructor I'm afraid no. I am currently in Australia, but done my flying so far In Sligo.
How does the FAA differ from the regs in Europe?
Would I ever be employable in Europe if it was the case I got an FAA licence. If I had a chance of still going commercially I would stick it out here in Australia for as long as it takes to save up the required funds. Had given up hope but just said I'd try here and see had anyone any advice. Thanks again!

Have a look at the CVD thread under
medical for lots of info on this subject

As the rules stand under EASA you are
Not likely to be able to follow a professional
Career as a pilot

Might be better to stay in OZ

You can be a captain in Australia with a colour defect. I have some friends who are colour deficient and they definitely sat in the left seat.

It may have changed but at the time (15 years ago) that privilege was only valid for the Australian FIR.

Dr Arthur Pape is your friend with this one.

Redsnail is correct.

You can be a Captain in Australia and exercise the ATPL privileges provided you pass one of the colour vision tests which can include the control tower signal gun test.

However, even if you fail all colour vision testing, your medical will include the restrictions 'not valid for ATPL operations' and 'holder does not fully meet the requirements of ICAO convention Chapter 6 of Annex 1'. This effectively means you are restricted to Australian airspace only and you can only operate up to CPL licence privileges. This still allows you to fly any single pilot aircraft as pilot in command (which includes high performance turbo-props such as King Air's) and also allows you to operate as a First Officer in any multi-crew aircraft including passenger jets.

There is a further legal challenge currently underway in Australia with court hearings expected early next year to challenge this final restriction. There are now a significant number of pilots in Australia with many thousands of hours experience who hold this ATPL restriction and are denied the opportunity to become Captain's, despite impeccable safety records which indicates that their CVD does not affect the 'safe performance of their duties'.

Arthur Pape is indeed your friend with this and is also heavily involved in the aforementioned case, which has the potential to set an important international precedent. It will also further expose the far worse discrimination being experienced in other countries. You can contact him via the CVDPA website.

For those interested in the background as to how Australia arrived at the position it is now, the below aeromedical article is also a worthwhile read:

Colour Perception Standards in Aviation: Some Implications of the AAT Decisions Regarding Colour Perception and Aviation

Hello all,

I have just been through a colour blindness test and I failed the Ishihara test as well as the Farnsworth lantern test. I have a deficiency in the red cones of my retina. Is there still hope of becoming a commercial pilot via another test?

Also, is it true that being under pressure can affect the lantern test results? I took the test in a university and was surrounded by about fifteen students which was quite uncomfortable.

Thank you in advance.

city university does not care about the world of aviation, Marissa does not care about what happens either, all the academics care about is their research and rewards, i have spoken to her and i challenged her over claims that the cad test was claimed to 100%, and that i was deemed the 'perfect test ' for aviation, she stated the its not 100% accurate and a pediatric test, its not designed for aviation!!

second she advised that the test at city and gatwick are the same and the results from them should be accepted by CAA, and no retesting is required..

also the caa are 'supposed to' use the quick screening test first, just like the plates, and if the cad picks up any issues, then it prompts further testing, and thats when they ask you to do the full test thats takes 15 mins,

allot of

HI

This is the new test:
Its not the moving square any more. I think it would be accepted by most airlines. And for the first time, you can test each eye. But I dont know where I can take it outside City Uni.

Can anyone help with another tester?

That is the old City test as used by the Fire Service and was never really employed in aviation testing.

The CAD is the moving box that goes across the screen changing colour.

hello everyone

i want to ask what edition of ishihara test is used nowadays at the medical centers in europe
is there a difference depending on country ?

All the same 24 plate version

Thank you very much
But i think that the 38 edition is more "readable" than the 24 edition in my personnal opinion...

The 38 and 24 are exactly the same. The 38 plates are an extension of the 24 by having some more numbers, that's all.
There isn't any difference in terms of readability on both versions.

I urge everyone of you who are trying to pass exams and spending your money on aviation tests to also share your support on the case that is being held in Australia and New Zeeland and supported by the pilots pockets.

A Change in the rules there will allow the changes to proceed throughout the world! Please support the CVDPA organization by subscribing them.

I've been following them close and have donated them a good amount of money already. Please share at least one flying hour fee with them to enable all of us to stop visiting this thread and move to the FO/Captain threads in the future!

Thank you

Thanks solely to the CVDPA and Arthur Pape I am now allowed to get on with a career in aviation without restriction. In Europe I wasnt allowed to fly at night or for public transport.

In Australia I can be captain of an Qantas A380 (given time).

Stop trying to pass stupid colour vision tests - change the stupid rules!