Thanks, aloa326 and simone993 for your help ! The CAA stated that my testing would be valid as they have accepted CAD results from city uni. SO it should be valid in other EASA state.

I'm appalled and the way the CAA have treated me and others, constantly changing the goalposts of what they require to get a class 1. So whilst I try and sort out my medical in that other EASA state I'm now in communication with a number of organisations in the UK to try and change the CAA over restricted and non-evidential regulation on colour vision.

I will not stand for the CAA messing with peoples lives and careers with no factual evidence to support it. I'm looking to create a group where we can work together to try and change it. It's not gonna be a short process but I'm sure we can do it! If anyone is interested in this please do let me know, create a sort of whats app group.

Do let me know if you still have any suggestions on my previous posts.

This thread was incredibly helpful to me so I wanted to share my experiences with colour vision testing.

When I was 16 I had an Ishihara plate test in which I struggled with a few and made some errors. The examiner at the time (I think it was just an opticians, so long ago I cannot recall) advised that I would never be able to become a pilot. I do remember asking if I was colour blind and his response was that I had a colour deficiency but it was so minor he could not put a number to it. A someone cryptic response but as a young 16 year old lad, dream dead, killed off right there and then.

When I became interested in seriously pursuing an Aviation Career I was concerned that I would not meet the colour vision requirements. I found some of the Ishihara tests online and had mixed results, one of them I completed with only 2 errors and the other I complete with zero errors. I also stumbled across the CAD test and history of how this was developed, perhaps there was some hope for me yet.

So fast forward to February this year and I attended Heathrow medical services for my initial Class 1. I saw the Chief Optometrist, Dr Adrian Chorley who was a thoroughly professional and general great guy, he made me feel at eases as he explained the various testing procedures. We came to the Ishihara plate test, a book on a stand presented below a lamp. I recall that this test had to be conducted under specific lighting conditions and clearly this was catered for here. The Optometrist began to turn the pages, the plates looked very different to what I had seen online, lots of purple colours. I really struggled and knew I had made errors. We completed some other testing then we discussed the Ishihara plate test and that I had scored 6/15. The Optometrist mentioned that there was another test we could do, I asked if this was the CAD test and he confirmed.

I was seated in front of the machine and the test was explained to me. There are lots of grey boxes on the screen, it kind of looks like pixelated graphics from 80's computer games. There will be a coloured boxed that travels across the grey boxes in a straight line (out to one of four corners). You have to click a button to confirm the direction it went in. You could compare this to the audio tests in the way that the sounds get fainter and fainter, the same happens with the colours. The optometrist also advised that the test would identify my weak areas and test them more rigorously. Sure enough the clear coloured boxes became fainter and fainter. If you see no colour at all you just make a guess, the next colour box will not start its journey until you press a button. I found this test challenging as it lasted quite some time and at times the boxes were so faint I had to make some guesses. As the test progressed and the guesses increased my heart started to sink, I was very worried that I was failing this.

We got to the end of the test and I braced myself for the results. The optometrist advised that I had a colour deficiency and took time to walk me through the results. The good news is that I had passed the test. He provided a print out which shows the threshold and your results. My diagnosis was that I had deutan deficiency and normal YB colour vision.

R-G threshold 2.92
Y-B threshold 1.54

This put my colour test result into the following category :

Mild Deutan / Proton deficiency threshold <6 deutan, < 12 protan which enables a a fit unrestricted EASA Class 1 and 2. Unfit European Class 3, Fit UK Class 1.

I hope that my contribution is of some help to others as I read this thread in its entirety before my medical and it was very helpful.

hi
i had my second test in london for 1 class medical at end of February
So,second one,even worst they find me from previous and they didn't want me to examinate me because they said if i fail first there is no way to get better to pass this one
And i have been recorded to CAA with a eyes problem,
there is any way to delete these records from CAA or if i change the name can i start over?

cheers

Marteniuc it will be easier for people to help you if you respond to the queries. As per Webby737's query was your initial test the Ishiara plates?

Regarding the 2nd test at the end of February did your Optometrist refuse to examine you based on your Optometry results from the 1st test? If you took and failed the Ishiara you should have been given the option of the CAD test, if you took and failed the CAD test then that is a different story. You stated in your first post that you have a deutan colour blindness which begs me to think you may have already had the CAD.

The CAA colour vision guidance can be found here for clarity : https://www.caa.co.uk/Aeromedical-Ex...e-material-GM/

Require EASA you to be a "normal" Trichromat to pass Anomaloscope. I'm diagnosed with Protanomaly Anomalous Trichromat but still have a matching range below 4 on Anomaloscope. EASA regulation does not state "normal" in the AMC1 MED.B.075.
anomaloscopy (Nagel or equivalent).

This test is considered passed if the colour match is trichromatic and the matching range is 4 scale units or less, or if the anomalous quotient is acceptable; or by

Is anyone in here approved by anomaloscope despite being a Anomalous Trichromat but have a matching range below 4?

Hi alekpilot
Anyone with a matching range of 4 scale units or less and is trichromatic is considered to be colour safe in all EASA countries except the UK. The Uk changed their regulation which now states they must be normal trichromatic and they state the pass mark for a normal being 38-42 units.
Hope this helps

Hi im new in this forum , ı wondered that according to this results can ı get class 1 medical certificate acoording to EASA rules
İ joined 4 colour vision tests and those my results :

ishiara: 14/25 FAİL

anomoloscope: left 1.4 right 1.4 PASSED

100 hue: score 52 PASSED

CAD (colour assessment and diagnosis): threshold 12 but i got 15.28 FAİL

Can i get class 1 health licence according to easa health requirements with anomoloscope result

So there is no need to be a normal trichromat as long as you have a matching range of 4 or less?

Have a read of the CAA colour vision guidance material as there are some notes on Anomaloscopy testing :

https://www.caa.co.uk/Aeromedical-Ex...e-material-GM/

ı already have read it but there isnt any thing about that if anyone pass anomaloscope but fail from CAD test than can get class 1. I m living in Turkey ı have asked this problem to my autority then they said me that we are using same rules with EASA but according to EASA rules ı should get class 1 what should ı have to do in this situation can ı get class 1 from any further easa member ?

That's correct apart from the UK CAA

mltrk

You would be able to get an EASA class 1 except from the UK due to the CAA changing their own pass marks to essentially make the CAD the only available test to pass as colour defects , its ridiculous

Does anybody know whether Ishihara plates are commonly used as primary testing in Canada? Anybody uses Amercian Optical charts there?

i have discussed with our Civil Aviation Authority they said that they have not any information about this subject because of this you have to bring a document which that say if applicant fail a test but pass other one applicant may be succsesful


Can anyone send a EASA document which shows that if a pilot pass a anomaloscope but fail Cad test even so applicant can get class 1 medical certificate without restriction
İ need this document to prove to Turkey Civil Aviation Authority
;)
Thanks...

BONES

It's good to see that NZ & Australia have decided to lead the way with this, a OCVA makes sense. As an engineer this is similar to what I have to do every year, we call it a trade test but it's basically the same thing.
No doubt the UK Campaign Against Aviation will follow suit in about 20 years time !

Tell 'em to get bent, save up a bit o'quid, and go to Florida. The FAA tests you with charts, the actual tower lights and a Color Vision Medical Flight Test with the examiner in the airplane, none of this video game bull. You'll have even less of a problem with EFBs, because the colors don't fade with sun exposure as they do in paper, and ICAO charts are printed in glow-in-the-dark intense tones anyway. EASA accepts FAA Letters of Evidence and/or SODA, Statement of Demonstrated Aptitude.

Do you confirm that? That would make things a lot of easier. Does anybody had some experience with presenting FAA SODA to EASA and getting rid of colour caused limitations on medical?
Do you guys have any kind of documents to confirm that statement?

Ishihara version at EK
 

My AME in Munich accepted the LOE without complaint.

Colourblindness - Driving at Heathrow
 

Hi, not sure if this is the right place to post this but I need some help!
i am currently an engineer at Gatwick and therefore have my airside driving permit. I am partially red/green colourblind but It’s not seen as an issue at Gatwick.
i have been offered a job at Heathrow, but am worried that their driving medicals may be more strict and I won’t be allowed a driving permit?
Has anyone had to deal with this before? I don’t want to go and accept this job offer if I will find out that I can’t drive at the airport a few weeks down the line!

cheers!!

CPL without night | currently class 2 VCL
 

Hello guys,
I've read a bunch on this thread but I'm still curious about my situation. I've tried to get EASA Class 1 in two different AMEs, one with ishihara test 24 plates, the other with lantern test (I think!). However, after the doctors talked to eachother a lot, since I was at the limit, they decided to fail me.

Is it possible to get any form of CPL licence without night or are there any walkarounds so I could get a less privileged CPL with Class 1? I'm sorry if I don't know how to actually address this question, but I thought that I might find some answer here.

Thanks!

Hello,
So you failed ishiara and then lantern test? In which country? A bit more details can help to help you ;)

Yes that is correct. Romania first, only with Ishihara test, then went to Prague where they had also some lantern test, but nobody spoke english at a level that I could really understand. However, after the test there they talked a lot and decided that I'm not up to the requirements.

Hi theringding,

I did my airside driving medicals at both LHR & LGW and they where pretty much the same.
In both cases they gave me the licence as I could pass the lamp test.
This was about 20 years ago so I've no idea if they have changed much.

PS: LHR is quite a bit bigger than LGW, I managed to loose a B747 there one day !

Regarding the CAD test in the UK,

If I hold a vaild Class 2 with VCL do I need to go through the process of SOLI change if I want a Class 1 from UK CAA? Maybe it's worth mentioning that I don't hold a PPL licence, just the medical. I really seem to struggle to understand who should go through that process. Thank you!

Meanwhile over in Australia and New Zealand, our aviation regulators have finally recognised than an operational assessment is the only true way of assessing whether a CVD pilot can competently perform their duties:

CASA changes colour vision policy

Medical Classs 1-Colour vision, retake exam in different state
 

Hello fellow aviators. I have a question for you and I want to hear your advice and opinion on the following case:
In 2017 I got a medical class 2 in Romania, but with VCL limitation, my colour perception was not good enough. Unfortunately I was very tired at the point of the exam, this worsened things.
In late 2019 I went to Hungary to obtain a Class 1 medical license. Ishihara tests did not went bad I got 14 out of 17 plates, but anomaloscope failed me. My AQ 3.1 result means a mild deuteranomaly, but the matching results were somehow out of the limits, I don't have a clear picture about the results.
EASA accepts also Lantern and CAD tests, but neither Romanian and Hungarian CAA's offer this option because theese tests are not available. Situation is, that my case was rejected by both authorities leaving me without further options. Romanian CAA told me I have the right to retake the exam in a state where extensive testing is available, but Austrian CAA told me that based on EU Regulation 1178/2011 I can't re-take a medical in another state, and I can't transfer my medical to them until it's rejected. This way i'm blocked.
Also a small problem might be, that I had a 4 hour long psychology test, was well tired and the results were unsatisfactory. I heard that failing psychology is not a big issue you can retake it appeal it. Some psychologysts ask you some questions, while others are really strict.
Because of the following results my medical 2 was revoked. Well, I'm not really sorry about it, as medical 2 would never help me to fulfill my dream to fly for an airline.

What is your opinion, what would be the next step to take? I'm thinking to look more at the rules, and if needed I would contact a lawyer to clarify and maybe send in an appeal to EASA on this case. It is very discriminative that we have same rules but I don't start with equal examination rights. I know a very similar case like mine, of a CC friend. Romanian CAA said that my chances are not looking promising. I know that takitng Lantern and CAD might not come with acceptable results, but I want to take every chance.

I can't say how important would be for me to have the chance to undergo extensive testing. I have my opinion on the color vision, I work in an A320 simualtor more then 2 years now. Based on colleagues and pilot's opinion my colour vision is perfect in every condition, I can identify colours on the instruments also outside. I know that in EASA rules are really tight, but I think they are unfair. Look how FAA or CASA handles theese cases...

Hi there
sorry to hear about your situation, I would say to post this on the Collective Colour Vision Thread 4 as you will get many more responses. I have quite a bit of experience regarding colour vision regulations and hope to help you. First thing states can apply different guidance material, here in the UK, unfortunately, we only accept the CAD test. This means you can gain a medical in one state and be denied in another. The best suggestion before the transfer your medical would be to ask the authority that you wish to transfer to, whether they could perform the colour vision assessment first but not as part of a medical, for example, if you choose a state with the lantern test and you passed you are then given two options. Either keep your licence in your current state and send them your result of a pass from the lantern test, if they include that tests as part of the guidance material you should be issued with a class 1, or you can have you're medical denied in your current state and transfer this over, do the new class 1 medical with the knowledge that you passed the colour vision testing and be approved by your new authority. I would highly suggest not doing the CAD test as this has many flaws. The Austrian CAA is correct in saying you cant transfer you're medical without it being denied first by the current authority, but as said because its denied in one state doesn't mean it will be denied in another as they all seem to have slightly different guidance material. You arent allowed two medical examinations in two different authorities at one time. There must be only one state of authority at a time. Have a good research into the tests try and find an authority that does that test and contact them. Hope that helps ! PM me if you have any more questions

The UK CAA is the most restrictive, each state has its own guidance material which is meant to follow EASAs, if you look on their website or contact the authority they can tell you what tests they accept. It is now the case you can be denied in one state but approved in another, the best suggestion would to look into the current testing options and try and find a place which has your most favorable option, however, I would highly suggest not doing the CAD test as its flawed.

Hi everyone I have completed my dissertation research on the UK CAAs colour vision regulation for commercial pilots and whether it's too restrictive and if so what sort of regulation should be used? It can be found under The leading-edge research and innovation section:https://www.airleague.co.uk/learning/
https://www.airleague.co.uk/wp-conte...Regulation.pdf
Do let me know whether you have any questions.
I hope you find this a very useful source of information and research that is up to date, accurate and speaks the truth about the current regulations in place.
Cheers!

Great article and report!

theringding

Hi, sorry I haven't replied earlier, I've just spotted your post.
I had my first eye test at LHR and (as predicted) failed the Ishihara test so I was given a lamp test and passed.
A couple of years later I transferred to LGW and did my eye test there, it was almost the same although the lamp test was slightly different.
This was about 20 years ago but I can't imagine it's changed too much. It used to be if you held an airside driving licence for either LHR or LGW you could drive at both airports.

Good Luck !

B*gger ! looks like I already replied to this one, that will teach me not to read the complete thread !
Sorry !

Thanks alekpilot !

aviator2345

Very interesting paper - can you drop me a private message?

EU Citizens petition for EASA to have similar colour vision of that FAA and CASA
 

Hi guys, I did a petition online for the EU peti committee to try to have similar colour vision regulations in Europe of those in USA and Australia to remove this discrimination for eu citizens and not rely on a CAD test that does not reproduce flight conditions. Attached find the link. Together we can make a difference. petition number is 0571/2020

europarl.europa.eu/petitions/en/petition/content/0571%252F2020/html/Discrimination%2Bregarding%2BEASA%2Bcolour%2Bvision%2Bregula tions

I'm really happy to hear that! I tought I would initiate something similar if I fail CAD test too. Together we could make a change, a better system. As fas as I know this is how things changed in Australia too. In courts...