Thanks very much for the replies and excellent news, Blinkz, regarding the letter from the CAA.

I'm going to give the FAA's London office a ring and see what they say.

If I get anywhere I'll update the thread in case someone else is in a similar position.

Best Regards,

2close

Thanks 2close, I would be interested in what the London office says. I have a FAA class 1 medical with the colourvision restriction. It would be nice to have the restriction removed and to have the option of gaining a FAA ATP. Good luck!

Thanks 2close, I would be interested in what the London office says. I have a FAA class 1 medical with the colourvision restriction. It would be nice to have the restriction removed and to have the option of gaining a FAA ATP. Good luck!

After expending all remaining flying training funds on telephone calls to Gatwick, New York and Oklahoma I have the answer from the FAA Aviation Medical Division.

Lantern Tests, using one of the pieces of equipment listed above can be conducted outside the USA; all that is required is that the results are documented by the person conducting the test and sent to the FAA with a request for the restriction to be lifted. The list of equipment is set in concrete unfortunately.

As Flyin'Dutch stated earlier, airfield tower tests must be conducted in the USA and arranged through the the FAA.

I have now been advised that City University in London may be able to help. They have carried out extensive research into colour vision deficiencies and have the facilities (and public clinics)to carry out advanced colour vision testing. I'm on the case there tomorrow.

I'll keep persevering with this and keep the thread posted.

Best Regards,

2close

After expending all remaining flying training funds on telephone calls to Gatwick, New York and Oklahoma I have the answer from the FAA Aviation Medical Division.

Lantern Tests, using one of the pieces of equipment listed above can be conducted outside the USA; all that is required is that the results are documented by the person conducting the test and sent to the FAA with a request for the restriction to be lifted. The list of equipment is set in concrete unfortunately.

As Flyin'Dutch stated earlier, airfield tower tests must be conducted in the USA and arranged through the the FAA.

I have now been advised that City University in London may be able to help. They have carried out extensive research into colour vision deficiencies and have the facilities (and public clinics)to carry out advanced colour vision testing. I'm on the case there tomorrow.

I'll keep persevering with this and keep the thread posted.

Best Regards,

2close

OASC colour vision tests
 

I recently undertook the Ishihara and Lantern tests at RAFC Cranwell in the UK.

I failed the Ishihara and passed the lantern, therefore it has been deemed that I am cp3 and am unable to undertake any flying branch within the airforce.

What gets me is that I was told my aptitude for pilot was extremely competitive, and medically speaking, the only thing stopping me was my failure on the Ishihara test.

Now I've read on these forums about peoples disputes with the Ishihara test and quite simply, I'm looking for some advice in this matter, or of any ideas anyone may have.

I have heard mentioned on this forum about gene therapy, though I would imagine that thats a long shot and then some!

Any assistance in this matter would be truly appreciated.

Thanks in advance everyone

BC :ok:

OASC colour vision tests
 

I recently undertook the Ishihara and Lantern tests at RAFC Cranwell in the UK.

I failed the Ishihara and passed the lantern, therefore it has been deemed that I am cp3 and am unable to undertake any flying branch within the airforce.

What gets me is that I was told my aptitude for pilot was extremely competitive, and medically speaking, the only thing stopping me was my failure on the Ishihara test.

Now I've read on these forums about peoples disputes with the Ishihara test and quite simply, I'm looking for some advice in this matter, or of any ideas anyone may have.

I have heard mentioned on this forum about gene therapy, though I would imagine that thats a long shot and then some!

Any assistance in this matter would be truly appreciated.

Thanks in advance everyone

BC :ok:

BC1,

How bad was your failure on the Ishihara?

Did you get just a couple wrong or were you looking at the tester with a blank expression?

Apparently, the Ishihara test needs to be conducted in the right lighting levels and at the correct temperature for it to be a true test.

I know for a fact that at times I can see more of the numbers, letters, etc. than at others, so this may back that claim.

Have you thought of trying the CAA - by all accounts the Ishihara Test is done properly there. Book the Cl.1 medical, make sure you ask to have the eye test first - if you fail the colur vision test, the Cl.1 medical is stopped there, they bill you about £50 for the eye check and they reimburse you the rest. I know it means coughing up £ 422 in the first instance but it may be worth it to get some argument against the RAF doctors, paticularly if you pass the Ishihara with them.

If possible try your local optometrist first and explain to him/her how important it is that the test conditions are exactly as specified.

I hope you get somewhere with this. Keep us updated.

2close

BC1,

How bad was your failure on the Ishihara?

Did you get just a couple wrong or were you looking at the tester with a blank expression?

Apparently, the Ishihara test needs to be conducted in the right lighting levels and at the correct temperature for it to be a true test.

I know for a fact that at times I can see more of the numbers, letters, etc. than at others, so this may back that claim.

Have you thought of trying the CAA - by all accounts the Ishihara Test is done properly there. Book the Cl.1 medical, make sure you ask to have the eye test first - if you fail the colur vision test, the Cl.1 medical is stopped there, they bill you about £50 for the eye check and they reimburse you the rest. I know it means coughing up £ 422 in the first instance but it may be worth it to get some argument against the RAF doctors, paticularly if you pass the Ishihara with them.

If possible try your local optometrist first and explain to him/her how important it is that the test conditions are exactly as specified.

I hope you get somewhere with this. Keep us updated.

2close

Just to reiterate 2close's post, I struggled at my local opticians, but was fine at LGW. The book was a lot newer, and it was done under the proper lighting conditions.

Having said that, I got 'a few wrong' at the opticians, but I did get most of them, albeit with a bit of a delay. If you got nothing on Ishihara, then I guess the news isn't fantastic, but if you only missed a couple, then certainly look at the CAA.

Good luck!

NW3

Just to reiterate 2close's post, I struggled at my local opticians, but was fine at LGW. The book was a lot newer, and it was done under the proper lighting conditions.

Having said that, I got 'a few wrong' at the opticians, but I did get most of them, albeit with a bit of a delay. If you got nothing on Ishihara, then I guess the news isn't fantastic, but if you only missed a couple, then certainly look at the CAA.

Good luck!

NW3

More good news guys, I found out today that I have passed my german class 1! Now I've got to transfer this to the UK. The UK have said that they will accept it as they would anyone else, but I am not sure if I need to have a licence or not. The UK CAA website isn't very clear. Anyone know any details?

More good news guys, I found out today that I have passed my german class 1! Now I've got to transfer this to the UK. The UK have said that they will accept it as they would anyone else, but I am not sure if I need to have a licence or not. The UK CAA website isn't very clear. Anyone know any details?

Excellent news, Blinkz.

How did you go about the German Cl.1?

BTW, did you get the PM I sent you regarding the FAA stuff? I seem to be pretty bone when it comes to figuring out this PM mallarchy!!

Best Regards,

2close

Excellent news, Blinkz.

How did you go about the German Cl.1?

BTW, did you get the PM I sent you regarding the FAA stuff? I seem to be pretty bone when it comes to figuring out this PM mallarchy!!

Best Regards,

2close

Congratulations Blinkz !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D :D

Any info you could give us would be gratefully received.

Congratulations Blinkz !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D :D

Any info you could give us would be gratefully received.

Yippee!!

I've received written confirmation from the testing Consultant Opthalmic Surgeon that the Lantern Test I took back in 1992 for CAA PPL Cl.3 was a Holmes-Wright.

That makes twice I've passed it now (1977 for RAF ATC) and 1992. The same results (which didn't state the type of test - only CP3 and that I was safe for Colour Signal Lights) weren't queried then and were also accepted for issue of JAA Cl.2.

There's no way that I can fail the Cl.1 Colour Vision Test at LGW now, or is there ??????????????????

2close

Yippee!!

I've received written confirmation from the testing Consultant Opthalmic Surgeon that the Lantern Test I took back in 1992 for CAA PPL Cl.3 was a Holmes-Wright.

That makes twice I've passed it now (1977 for RAF ATC) and 1992. The same results (which didn't state the type of test - only CP3 and that I was safe for Colour Signal Lights) weren't queried then and were also accepted for issue of JAA Cl.2.

There's no way that I can fail the Cl.1 Colour Vision Test at LGW now, or is there ??????????????????

2close

2close,
If you've already passed the holmes-wright (twice) then theres a good chance you'll be ok this time, also the beynes lantern is known to be easier then it so it all points to you being ok. Theres only one way to find out ;)