Warnock

Greetings,
I have a red/green deficiency known as anomalous trichromatism. This version of the deficiency is the slightest abnormality. I can still percieve the pigments red and green and make precise color matches, but when tested with the Ishihara plate exams I cannot pass them. Rumor has it that the FAA allows you to be tested with alternative tests, like the Farnsworth Lantern. Is this true? I am confident I can pass these tests, because I have no trouble distinguishing between red and green. Could I still be eligible for a First Class medical certificate and be able to get a good job in the aviation business? Also, does anyone know if I can still become a pilot for the Airforce or do they not allow alternative testing? Any insight or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

JMT21

I have a helluva time trying to read the Ishihara plates also, I usually can but it takes a little while. Also, like you I don't and never have had any problem distinguishing between between any colors. I was able to get a 1st class medical, but still get pretty nervious when its time to get a new one. I talked to one of the profs here (an AME) and he gave me the Farnsworth Lantern test and it was more difficult then reading the plates. Distinguishing between red and green won't be the problem, trying to tell apart white and green is the issue. The FAA will give you complete waiver if you can go pass the light gun test. They take you out somewhere around the tower and shoot the light gun at you and you just have to be able to tell the guy what color they're shining at you. You get two trys to pass it. If you pass, the FAA will never hassle you again (it's a premanent waiver) in any of your medicals and there will be no restrictions on your medical. If you don't pass, you will have a restricition limiting you from flying at night (the FAA dosen't want you to accidentally landing on a taxiway), pretty much putting you out of ever getting a job with any of the airlines. To set up an appointment for the light gun test I'm pretty sure your gonna want to contact your local FSDO office. Hope this helps and good luck.

greedyairlineexec

I cannot read the plates. went to the eye doctor 10 years ago a did the fansworth test. then I talked to the FAA office in OK (where they have the chief medical office). they send me a letter than says that I don't need to take the color vision test and the ME must issue me a first class medical providing I pass all the other first class medical requirements. furthermore, it also says that that letter is not a waiver, and I must answer "no" if in future aplications I'm ask if I have a waiver.

I have a first class medical and renew it every 6 months with no problems

If you have any problems with the FAA main medical office after you take the fansworth test, let me know and I'll faxed you a copy of my letter.

aseweepay

I also did the lantern test 10 years ago. You are issued a letter of demonstated
ability, so it is not a waiver, hence what was mentioned earlier in this thread, you do not check the box on any application that asks if you have a waiver.
The first time you go for your medical exam you will need to bring the letter with
you, and that should be the only time unless you change doctors. When I went
for the medical at a major carrier (where it was said that the medical at NASA was actually easier) I just brought a copy of the letter with me and they didn't
even bat an eye. Good luck and let me know if you need any other info or help.

Warnock

Thanks for all the information. What would be the easiest alternative test to pass?

aseweepay

It's been so long that I don't know what all the current options are, but I took
the farnsworth lantern test. I went to the local airport a few times before the
official test with the FAA, and talked with the tower guys to see if they would
"shoot the gun" at me. I then stood out on the ramp and talked with them on
my cellphone to tell them what color I was seeing. When you meet with an
inspector, it will be the same test ie....stand out on the ramp, and as the
tower "shoots" colors at you, you tell the inspector what you see. It has been
about 10 years since I did this, so they may do it differently now, but I doubt it.
Again, good luck and let me/us know if you have any other questions.

greedyairlineexec

I did the fansworth test too. I never had to do any gun test,. the OK FAA medical office send me a letter after I faxed my eye doctor report.

good luck

JMT21

So you passed the test with your eye doc, the doc faxed his report to the FAA, and the FAA send you a letter of demonstrated ability?

greedyairlineexec

I faxed the eye doctor report to the FAA after I talked with them over the phone and explained the situation and thy send me the letter

cc

k4air

Warnock, I had the same problem and can confirm (partially) the previous postings. There are several other tests that the FAA recognized and you can find a list of them on the AOPA website. The light gun test at a local FSDO or tower is one of them but I can only recommend not to try it because they will usually not allow you a second attempt. In case of failure you will have a restriction on your medical for lifetime (and be non-competitive for almost all jobs). The alternative is to take one of the listed substitute tests with either an AME (who happens to have e.g. a Farnsworth Latern) or with a local eye doctor. If you pass you will have to follow the above mentioned procedure (send the results to the FAA and request a 'statement of demonstrated abilities'). However, if you fail the FAA will not be involved and you can try it again as often as you want (or try one of the other tests). In case you are really unlucky not to pass any of those tests you can still try the lightgun test as a last resort.

Good luck

http://www.aopa.org/members/files/medical/colorvis.html
http://www.aopa.org/members/files/medical/game52.html