Originally Posted by
RampFlyer
Hello all,
I am 31yrs old with a Commercial ASEL, AMEL, Instrument rated with about 370 TT, and 42 total ME. I have read in previous posts in this thread that I could possibly get a waiver to be accepted to UPT at my age. However, during the start of my flight training(which was 10yrs ago) I was unable to pass the color blind test when I went to get my medical and so a restriction was placed upon it. In order for me to have it removed an FAA agent and myself stood at one end of the field from the control tower so the controller could flash red, white, and green lights at me and all i had to do was tell the agent what the colors were. I passed the test and the FAA issued me a SODA (Statement of Demonstrated Ability) saying that I was waived from taking the color blind test each time I went to renew my medical.
So, my question is if I applied and was accepted and I went to the flight Dr. for a physical and just so happened to pass the color blind (which I am told has been the same test used for years) would the SODA be an issue as far as a flight surgeon passing me? I hope i made some sense asking this question. I am just curious if a military career can still be a possibility for me. In the mean time I am currently working on my CFI and going from there.
I appreciate any thoughts or advice from you all.
In my case the military didn't not care, nor ask, about a SODA from the FAA. If you can pass THEIR test - all is good. If you can not - they don't care what the FAA might have to say about your color vision ability.
Btw - I'm assuming that you got your SODA so many years ago in the manner in which you describe for your 3rd Class FAA physical. Depending on whom you talk too, you may be told that you are required to get another waiver for another class of FAA physical - which is different from the older SODA process you describe.
There are some informative threads in the Pilot Health forum that you might want to become familiar with when you are ready to progress.