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Disqualified for Color Blindness

Old 07-24-2014, 09:28 PM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by rickair7777 View Post
It does make sense that the military standards would at a minimum match FAA standards...
That assumes the FAA has set a valid and reasonable standard.
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Old 07-25-2014, 11:31 AM
  #12  
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Hate to say it, but anyone getting disqualified these days, the military is doing you a favor. Down sizing, budget cuts, queen creep, non-flying billets becoming more prevalent.... It's just not the place to go, at least now and for the next few years. Anyone getting in today is not going to have the same career guys that got in 10-15 years ago have had.
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Old 08-18-2014, 05:49 PM
  #13  
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In addition to being acceptable for the Navy and Coast Guard, the Farnsworth Lantern is also acceptable for the FAA. See:
https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org...ech/item52/et/

The trick on the civilian side is finding an eye doctor that has the equipment to administer it. You may have to travel to find one...
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Old 08-18-2014, 07:45 PM
  #14  
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I find it interesting that this came up. In reference to FedEx's accident in Tallahassee, FL, the findings determined:

"14. Existing aviation medical certification standards for color vision and use of related screening tests may not ensure detection of color vision deficiencies that can be detrimental to safety; it is possible that in some emergency situations, the speed of color recognition may assume an importance that is not currently reflected in the standards."

"15. One or more of the color vision screening tests currently approved for use in the aviation industry (for example, the Farnsworth Lantern screening test) are not adequate; these tests should be identified and their use discontinued."

"Recommendations: Conduct research to determine the effectiveness of each of the current Federal Aviation Administration-approved color vision test protocols ..."

I wouldn't start the long path of aviation based on taking the Farnsworth Lantern. They'll get rid of it soon and you'll be stuck without a job. My two cents.

Source: http://www.ntsb.gov/doclib/reports/2004/aar0402.pdf
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Old 08-19-2014, 05:54 AM
  #15  
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15. One or more of the color vision screening tests currently approved for use in the
aviation industry (for example, the Farnsworth Lantern screening test) are not
adequate; these tests should be identified and their use discontinued.

The way I read that is the test in the parenthetical is merely an example of an approved test, not an inadequate one. The last clause supports this. The inaduquate tests need to be indentified. Farnsworth Lantern is still good to go. Farnsworth flashlight (whatever that is) is not ok as per the AME guidelines.
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Old 08-19-2014, 07:13 AM
  #16  
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I honestly don't believe that deficient color vision had anything to do with the TLH mishap as a casual factor - but the defect was discovered during the investigation. I also think that if you can pass the Lantrin test that you most likely won't have a problem with the FAA's MFT/OCVT test - which will then cover you for your medicals.
There is a lot of information about that testing process and the procedures required on the forum.
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Old 08-19-2014, 09:13 AM
  #17  
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I'm a SNA (Student Naval Aviator) in Pensacola currently in IFS and I know that we have a guy going through the program with us now who just graduated from the Air Force Academy and switched over to be a Navy Pilot because he was considered color blind by Air Force Standards, but within standards according to the Navy.
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Old 04-17-2015, 02:29 PM
  #18  
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Originally Posted by Spike from flyi View Post
I just got my FAA Class I Medical Certificate renewed, and was reminded of the numerous stories I have heard from guys that told me they had wanted to fly in the military, but ere disqualified due to color blindness. For anyone out there who may be facing this, you should know that there is an alternate test to the color plates they typically use to test for color blindness. It's called the Farnsworth Lantern Test ( Farnsworth Lantern Test - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ). The link above says that the Air Force no longer allows it, but that leaves the Army, Navy and Coast Guard. I needed this alternate test on my first flight physical (1981). Had it not been for the efforts of a kindly Army Ophthalmologist, I might have had a stellar career in the Infantry. I hope this helps someone.

BTW, color blindness is not something that changes with time. It's like your blood type. You've got what you've got. I don't know why the FAA tests me for it every six months!
If you currently don't have a job on the line, I'd recommend going with the FAA route, which is the OCVT/MFT

First you must fail any of the FAA color vision tests at your medical and then call the FAA stating that you want to take the Operational Color Vision Test / Medical Flight Test.

The first part is an ATC tower light gun test.. 6 colors from 1000, and then 1500 feet. (You can practice this at any towered field, just call them ahead of time and use google maps for the distance measurement. Practice at least a few times, and right before the actual test.. certain light guns have different looking greens or whites.. they will tell you where the test is, so try to use the same airport). You will also be tested on Sectional charts and/or WACs, or maybe the IFR Enroute charts.. basic color identification. Study the hell out of those and you should be fine.. (make sure to study them under all different types of lighting, including office fluorescent, natural, etc.)

If you pas that first part, you are covered for Third class.

The second party is the MFT.
You fly and they test you on the PAPI, taxiway, runway lights, beacons, lights on other planes, fields, terrain, grass colors, instrument colors on the plane, etc.
Part of it is a day flight and the other part is at night.. Practice that with a color normal person a bunch of times..


If you pass, you get a Letter of Evidence aka LoE (no marks on the medical.. you just bring the letter to your AME each time and you're golden.. no more color vision testing).. Note that it isn't called a SODA.

The full write-up is here: https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org...ch/item52/amd/

I'm actually going this route because I'm sick of agonizing about finding an alternative test every year (6 months over 40), and I also hear they might take away a bunch of alternatives in favor of leaving the more strict tests (only a few of them) along with the newer computer CAD color test (which is harder, trust me).. If you fail those, then same as above.. you can take the OCVT/MFT. In the next few years I bet that will be the standard..

I have my test on Thursday if the weather cooperates.. Pass or fail it will allow me to move forward with an aviation career, or continue my software/programmer career. Either way no more worrying about it and to me that's the only way forward. The current standard purposely keeps you on a witch hunt in my opinion.

Any questions feel free to PM or post here.. I've been battling this for years and I know the ins and outs of the standard, research, etc.

Good luck.
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Old 04-17-2015, 06:01 PM
  #19  
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Originally Posted by UAL T38 Phlyer View Post
I think the days of getting in to the military using alternative testing are over.

After 25 years of using the standard plates or books, the Air Force switched to a computer-based system. I could argue that it is less accurate than the books, because who knows if each computer monitor screen is perfectly calibrated for color?

Be that as it may, they switched about 7 years ago.

Holy *****: it ain't easy. And it isn't just me, it's everyone saying that.

I think the only place you will see the traditional books, or the alternative lantern test, is civil-only.

Waivers? My brother had an Air Force pilot slot in 1980; he didn't pass red-green. They tried to get him a waiver; no-go.

I doubt it would be more lenient today.

Funny side-note: I flew OV-10 Broncos as a Lt with a crusty Major (Callsign "Chicken") who had flown in Vietnam. He was the most decorated FAC (Forward Air Controller) of the war.

Why?

He was color-blind, and fudged his way in. He could see AAA gun emplacements no one else could see, because the camouflage netting "...stood out like a sore thumb..."

Normal-vision guys saw trees. He said "That doesn't look right, must be guys that need to be blown up."

He was responsible for more AAA gun-kills than anyone else. Undoubtably saved a lot of lives.

When I was waiting in the lobby for my United interview, I saw Chicken walk by, as a Captain!
That's one guy I'm glad was on our team (he's retired now).
Does any other color deficient pilot here feel like their vision is superior to "normal" color vision pilots in ways? Kind of like the story above?

For example, I was able to once find a website that showed an image color "lackies" could see, but color normal people could not...sure enough I picked out the image immediately, my wife saw nothing. I wish I bookmarked that site so people don't think I'm crazy. I also feel like my night vision is really good. I have no way to quantify if I'm better than average, but it wouldn't surprise me.
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Old 04-17-2015, 06:27 PM
  #20  
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Originally Posted by block30 View Post
Does any other color deficient pilot here feel like their vision is superior to "normal" color vision pilots in ways? Kind of like the story above?

For example, I was able to once find a website that showed an image color "lackies" could see, but color normal people could not...sure enough I picked out the image immediately, my wife saw nothing. I wish I bookmarked that site so people don't think I'm crazy. I also feel like my night vision is really good. I have no way to quantify if I'm better than average, but it wouldn't surprise me.
As a color deficient myself I can say my night vision is better than most people I know.. They always comment on how I can see things so well on the dark and they can't.. Adaption is usually faster too.
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