MoonShot

JIMck,

Sorry to hear about your situation. Under the old procedures, to get the SODA, one way to get it was the signal light test, basically the green, red, and white light gun used in the tower. That is just about the only time you would need to tell green from white (whiteas luck would have it, is only used on the ground to return to the starting point on the airport). You'd think that they could change that system to allow folks like you to be able to fly, but I'msure they won't. Only other time I can think of would be theairport beacon. Green/white. Good luck to you, but I would say if you can't pass the Farnsworth lantern or the signal gun, you might be out of luck.

FWIW, I went through the signal gun test about 7-8 years ago. I really hope you are able to work things out.

Take care.

USMCFLYR

Another twist just came to my attention. I called the FAA and asked for a copy of my SODA from the old days (1986). They sent me back a letter saying that since my SODA was for a 2nd Class that it was not valid for a 1st Class and they sent an authoirization letter for me to take the new test. Luckily for me - the AME I used for my recent 1st Class used a color vision vision test that I did pass - so of course there is no restriction on my medical. I only wanted a copy of the SODA in the event that in the future I might come across an AME with a test that I couldn't pass. Btw - I've been passing FALANTs for 20 years!

USMCFLYR

⌐ AV8OR WANNABE

Wow, that reinforces what my former AME told me years ago which is always get a first class medical whether you need it or not; then let it turn into a class 2 if that's all you need (FO). He said IF I'd ever have any medical problems where a waiver or additional testing might be necessary it'd be easier to maintain the first class rather than to apply for a 'new' first class medical with the additional medical testing.

Not sure if he was correct or not (he probably just wanted the extra money a 1st class brought in... ) but I've always been getting first class no matter what...

USMCFLYR

That does sound like good advice. What I don't understand though (except for bureaucracy) why you would need to take the test again since nothing changes of thetest. It isn't like the light signal gun changes colors or complexity based on the classification of the medical!

USMCFLYR

⌐ AV8OR WANNABE

The way it was explained to me was that most pilots look at the medical as one medical with 3 different levels of privileges, whereas the FAA looks at them as 3 separate medicals...

So I guess since the light signal test was already applied to the 2nd class medical it couldn't be "reused" for yet another medical...

rickair7777

He was giving you good advice.

Roland1990

Hey guys, I first of all want to thank for being allowed to get access to this site.

I have a question, I am a 18 year old guy currently living in Slovakia and am studying Management due to one issue that kind of ruined my dream about becoming a pilot. The problem is that I have red/green colourblindness with a percentage of 15% in the region. The question is if it really kicks me out of flying because I really want to be a pilot. The funny thing is that with the ishahara plates I can see some of the numbers within the red/green combination only some pictures get me mixed up.

Please help me and give me a hint or two in order to be smarter. I am really happy about having the opertunity to ask people who have more expirience.

rickair7777

Medical standards vary significantly from one country to the next. It all depends on where you want to fly...you will need to talk with someone who is familiar with the rules there.

Roland1990

Hey thanks for the quick reply, I mean i aint the guy who wants to fly jumbojets and a380s I would satisfy myself with a A319/320 but the thing is I would like to fly in europe but I wouldnt mind the US. I mean the thing is that I just want to know if it is possible for me to aquire a pilots license.

Roland1990

this means I am red/green colour defficient, does that mean i could be a airline pilot? because I aint colour blind in that case because I can see colours well.