SkyWestPilot1

Did a search for this and found nothing. My 12 year old thinks he wants to be an airline pilot, after flying for the military. The problem is (aside from the pay) I'm pretty sure he's color blind. I had him do some tests on the net for this and he couldn't see what he needed to. Anyone know if he can get a 1st class medical with this problem. I've done some searching in general and it looks like a person can do a light gun test and if you can see the signals you can get a waiver to never have to test for color vision again. True or false? I'm heading down the fsdo later to talk to the FAA. I'm thinking the military is out, but am hoping he can still fly commercially. Thanks in advance.

UnlimitedAkro

I had a student years ago who was color blind. He had to do a special medical flight with an FAA examiner that transitioned from day into night time just to get his medical to be able to solo. They ended up issuing a medical with a restriction of no flying at night. After he got his private he did another medical flight with an FAA inspector and got the night restriction lifted. He made a lot of phone calls, did a lot of research and I know it wasnt easy for him. Last I had talked to him he was working on his instrument and was going to try to get his commercial and multi with hope of being able to fly airlines one day (though I was a little doubtful). I have not heard of anyone flying 121 color blind though myself...

skidmark

I am color blind myself and an airline pilot it is no big deal. I ran into the same thought when I found out when I got my first medical. All your son needs to get is a "SODA" statement of demonstrated ability from the faa. What the do is go out on the ramp and shine the light gun from the tower. If he sees the red light and green are different then he's good to go. It is that easy. Then when he goes and sees the doctor he shows this SODA to him so he's exempt from that test. I am what they call "RED GREEN" deficent. I have no problem see red and green just the test the doctor gave me. As far as the Military I have no idea what to tell you except just so everyone knows COLOR BLIND PEOPLE DON'T SEE IN BLACK AND WHITE! I just think we would be back interior decorators. PM me if you have any more questions and don't worry about it.

SkyWestPilot1

Thanks for that, He was born with the flying bug and I was hoping I wouldn't have to break his heart. Thanks again. I'll look into the soda statement.

UnlimitedAkro

awesome!

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dn_wisconsin

Like skidmark im also red green deficient. the only problem i ever had was actually getting the faa to come out to do the light gun test. you have to get the medical and if your son gets a restriction from the deficiency, write oklahoma and keep bothering them everyday until they get to it. in the mean time take your son out to the airport and go through all the lights and if its a small tower most likely when they arent busy they will even shine the light gun for you too. then when the day come the local faa will send out an examiner and it takes about 10 minutes, and he will get a waiver for the rest of his life. hey if saves me 5 mins on my medical, no color part exam. anything else pm me, oh and so far no airline has cared that i have a waiver, but if they dont ask your not required to tell because the medical has no restrictions.

skidmark

Wisconsin is right no airline cares because there are no restrictions. However don't have the FAA come to you go to them. I went to the Fort Worth FSDO. They are always at the fsdo normal hours the test took 30 seconds and the paperwork about 10 minutes and I was done. and going to a small tower to get the light gun test prior to the real one is a excellent idea bring a handheld radio to talk to the tower.

GhettoBeechjet

I am in this boat too. I found out I was deficient when I took my first medical a long time ago. Apparently there is more than one acceptable color vision test. The AME that initally caught this sent me to an opthomoligist for a Farnsworth Lantern Test which I passed with no problem. It took a couple of months but I got an unristricted medical in the mail from Oklahoma City along with a letter that says I don't need to take the color test in the future. Because I passed an acceptable test I didn't end up with a waiver. I recently interviewed at a major airline and they didn't ask for anything beyond a copy of my medical. I would recommend when you take him for his medical have him apply for a first class so whatever waiver you get is good for any class of medical in the future.

ACEFLYERSWA

SkywestPilot, It is color deficient not color blindness, someone in your family also has the same thing, probably your dad, as the doctor told me it is passed down through the male genes. Continental I think will not hire someone with a waiver. I think by the time your son is old enough to work for a major it will be no big deal.

SkyWestPilot1

Wow, thanks for all the help, I really appreciate it.