SODA limitations at Airlines (color vision)
 

Hi All, I am thinking about making the move from corporate to the Airlines. I have passed a 1st class medical in the past for Pt135. I have an old (12/20/2005) SODA that has a limitation on it:
“Not valid for flights requiring color signal control during daylight hours” (ground light gun signal test)
This restriction might have shown on my first issued medical after the SODA was completed but hasn’t in a very long time.
My question is whether this is going to disqualify me from flying for the airlines as is or whether i need to go do the new demonstration “flight” tests.
I have also heard that requesting a copy of my SODA from the FAA will trigger an “upgrade” to a Letter of Evidence.
Anybody have some experience with this?
TIA

Rustycoon,

I have normal color vision but I have administered both the ground and flight test as an ASI. I am curious as to how you complied with the limitation while flying Part 135. Did you always operate out of non-towered airports? If you did operate out of Class-D towered airports, How did you “guarantee” that you would not lose your VHF communications capability during daylight hours?

I would suggest trying to request a “Special Medical Flight Test” through your AME and see if you can get that limitation removed. An ASI would go up with you in an airplane and ask you to identify some light gun signals from the tower and also see if you correctly identify aviation red and green lights, signs and markings. The ASI may also ask you to identify various colors of features on the VFR and IFR charts. Good luck and keep us posted!

I hold the SODA for "defective color vision".

I'm a 747 Capt for an ACMI carrier.

Years ago I did need to complete a flight test with a Fed (at night) in order to "demonstrate" my "ability".

That was almost 30 years ago, but I cannot imagine it's changed much. This is the FAA we're talking about.

:)

It was just a matter of pointing out various colors on charts, aircraft instrumentation and airport lighting.

The SODA has had zero effect on my "career", if you want to call it that.

^^^^^^ DITTO ^^^^^

One caveat: It MAY keep you from getting that call at AA, DL, or UAL (times may have changed (?) ) and that discrimination can really never be fully proved.

But, that is NO reason not to have a very nice and lucrative Career.

Some of us are, actually, VERY Lucky that those phone calls never came..

:)

GO FOR IT.

STK

I am definitely interested in the outcome. I was issued a SODA in 1992 for my Third Class medical. I had to request a replacement about 3 years ago, the replacement was actually a LOE restrictive to a Third Class. I passed the Light Signal test with the Feds.

Does anyone know if the SODA from back then would have been unrestricted to class of medical?

I passed an alternative test but do not want to have to go to the doc every 6 months. Nor do I desire to go for the Medical Flight since it is a one time deal.