theleetbeagle

Hello.

I just came from my AME. I am color-deficient (I knew this already). He states that there is a BRAND NEW policy stating that if you fail the Ishahara, you can no longer take any other test, including the Light Gun Test. The only alternative is the Dvorine (???) test. In fact, this may end up being the ONLY test allowed, during the physical.

He states he received this in an FAA email and then through a follow-up phone call. He tasked me with finding out more about this. I googled and came up with nothing. I contacted the AOPA and she stated she hasn't heard of such a thing.

Anyone know the scoop? If I can't take any alternatives (esp the Light Gun test), I'm going to be grounded at night.

Thanks for you help!
-Nick.

rotorhead1026

Here is the latest I can find. Who did you talk to at AOPA? This has been discussed on their forum for at least a month ...

http://www.aopa.org/members/pic/medi...ion/color.html

Here's the text ...

VISION—COLOR RESTRICTION REMOVAL

The medical standards in FAR Part 67 specify that applicants for all classes of medical certification have “the ability to perceive those colors necessary for the safe performance of airman duties.”

In 2002, a FedEx Boeing 727 crashed into trees on approach to Tallahassee, Fla., resulting in the loss of the aircraft and serious injuries to the three crewmembers. The NTSB investigation determined that the first officer’s color vision deficiency was one of several causal factors. As an outcome of that investigation and a subsequent safety recommendation, the FAA has modified its procedures for removing the operational restrictions for color vision deficiency. The new procedures vary depending upon the class of medical applied for or held.

If you fail the pseudoisochromatic color plate test at the time of your FAA physical exam, the aviation medical examiner (AME) may issue your medical certificate with the limitation “Not valid for night flying or color signal control.” To have the restriction removed, you may choose to take one of the FAA-approved alternative pseudoisochromatic color plate tests. These tests take into account the degree of color vision defect and are less sensitive to mild color vision deficiency. The Dvorine 2nd edition 15-plate test is one that you might consider taking. Your local eye care specialist, either an optometrist or ophthalmologist, may have available one or more of the allowed tests.

If you successfully complete the alternate test, you will be considered as having acceptable color vision for the FAA. You will need to take a color vision test each time you reapply for a medical certificate. Try to take the same test that you previously passed each time you reapply. If you need to seek an outside specialist to take such a test, make sure you obtain a letter from that individual that mentions the type of color vision test and the passing results. Take this to your AME at the time of your FAA exam. The AME may then issue the new certificate without the color vision restriction.

If you cannot pass one of the alternate tests, you have another option that requires taking an operational color vision test with an FAA aviation safety inspector through the local flight standards district office (FSDO). The information describing the tests is found in FAA Order 8900.1, FSIMS, Volume 5, Chapter 8, Sections 5-1523.F, 5-1526.E.6, and 5-1527 F.

For third class medicals: If you cannot successfully complete an alternative color plate test, you will be required to pass an operational color vision test (OCVT). This test has two components:

(a) A signal light test administered at an airport air traffic control tower; and

(b) A practical test in which you must read and correctly identify colors on aeronautical charts.

Upon successful completion of both elements of the OCVT, the aviation safety inspector will issue a letter of evidence and a medical certificate with the limitation “3rd Class Letter of Evidence.”

If you fail the signal light test portion of the OCVT during daylight hours, you will be able to retake the test at night. If you pass the nighttime test, your medical restriction will read, “Not valid for flights requiring color signal control during daylight hours.” If you cannot pass the OCVT during day or night hours, the restriction will read, “Not valid for night flying or by color signal control.”

Important note: If you fail the daytime signal light test, you will not be eligible for either first or second class medical certification, may not be issued a letter of evidence, and may not have the limitation modified or removed.

For first or second class medicals:

(a) Successful completion of an operational color vision test (OCVT) described above; and

(b) A color vision medical flight test (MFT). This is an actual flight test and requires the following:

(1) You must read and correctly interpret in a timely manner aviation instruments or displays, particularly those with colored limitation marks, and colored instrument panel lights, especially marker beacon lights, warning or caution lights, weather displays, etc.

(2) You must recognize terrain and obstructions in a timely manner; select several emergency landing fields, preferably under marginal conditions, and describe the surface (for example, sod, stubble, plowed field, presence of terrain roll or pitch, if any), and also describe how the conclusions were determined, and identify obstructions such as ditches, fences, terraces, low spots, rocks, stumps, and, in particular, any gray, tan, or brown objects in green fields.

(3) You must visually identify in a timely manner the location, color, and significance of aeronautical lights. To minimize the effect of memorizing the color of a light associated with a particular light system, the aviation safety inspector should make every effort to not use the light system name during the flight, but rather to ask you to identify a light color and the significance of as many of the following lights as possible:

(a). Colored lights of other aircraft in the vicinity;
(b). Runway approach lights, including both the approach light system (ALS) and visual glideslope indicators;
(c). Runway edge light system;
(d). Runway end identifier lights;
(e). In-runway lighting (runway centerline [CL] lights, touchdown zone [TDZ] lights, taxiway lead-off lights, and land and hold short lights);
(f). Airport boundary lights;
(g).Taxiway lights (edge lights, CL lights, clearance bar lights, runway guard lights, and stop bar lights;
(h).Red warning lights on television towers, high buildings, stacks, etc.;
(i). Airport beacon lights.

If you pass the operational color vision test (OCVT) and the color vision medical flight test, the inspector will issue a letter of evidence that’s valid for all classes and a medical certificate with no limitation or comment regarding color vision.

If you fail the signal light test portion of the OCVT during daylight hours, you will be able to retake the test at night. If you pass the nighttime test, your medical restriction will read, “Not valid for flights requiring color signal control during daylight hours.” If you cannot pass the OCVT during day or night hours, the restriction will read, “Not valid for night flying or by color signal control.”

Because this new policy is complicated by the need to interact with the local FSDO, AOPA recommends that pilots who need only third class medical certificates try one or more of the alternate color plate tests first. If that fails, do a “trial run” of the signal light test during daylight hours with the air traffic control tower first, preferably with someone who has “normal” color vision, to confirm that you correctly identified the tower light signals. When you know you can pass the test, you can contact the FAA for approval to take the test.

If you hold a statement of demonstrated ability (SODA) or a letter of evidence that was issued before July 2008, your color vision waiver is grandfathered, and you will not be required to test according to the new procedure.

theleetbeagle

Okay, I just got off the phone with my local (Cleveland) FSDO.

We spoke at length about 3rd class procedures for color-deficient applicants.

The gist of the situation is this: Whatever my AME said was wrong. The light gun test is still applicable, albeit with certain changes. He explains those during the phone call.

The audio of the call is listed below. He placed me on hold at the end of this and we were disconnected. I was not recording when he called back, but we only spoke for a few minutes. He stated on the 2nd call to simply go get my physical and my AME will request Oklahoma City to mail out the OCVTA application to do the light gun test.

http://www.kcdaf.com/fsdo2.mp3
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Dan64456

He was def. wrong as far as I know... I'm currently going thru the same thing. As it stands the acceptable office based tests are:

Pseudoisochromatic plates Test book should be held 30" from applicant

Plates should be illuminated by at least 20’ candles, preferably by a Macbeth Easel Lamp or a Verilux True Color Light (F15T8VLX)

Only three seconds are allowed for the applicant to interpret and respond to a given plate

American Optical Company [AOC]
1965 1-15 AOC-HRR
2nd 1-11 Richmond-HRR
4th 5-24 Dvorine
2nd 1-15 Ishihara
14 Plate 1-11

24 Plate 1-15

38 Plate 1-21 Richmond,
15-plates
1983 1-15 Acceptable Substitutes: (May be used following the directions accompanying the instruments)

• Farnsworth Lantern;
• OPTEC 900 Color Vision Test;
• Keystone Orthoscope;
• Keystone Telebinocular;
• LKC Technologies, Inc., APT-5 Color Vision Tester;
• OPTEC 2000 Vision Tester (Model Nos. 2000PM, 2000PAME, and 2000PI);
• Titmus Vision Tester;
• Titmus II Vision Tester (Model Nos. TII and TIIS);
• Titmus 2 Vision Tester (Model Nos. T2A and T2S);
• Titmus i400

Any test not specifically listed above are unacceptable methods of testing for FAA medical certificate. Examples of unacceptable tests include, but are not limited to, the OPTEC 5000 Vision Tester (color vision portion), "Farnsworth Lantern Flashlight," "yarn tests," and AME-administered aviation Signal Light Gun test (AME office use is prohibited).


----------------------------------------------------
I am borderline... I can even pass the ishihara according to the FAA standards as long as the lighting conditions are correct. Sometimes the florescent lights make it harder, make mention of this. My advice is when you go for your medical, talk to the doctor and tell him you want to take the color vision test first, and if you fail you don't want to get your medical cert that day... This way he can't stamp you as 'not valid for night flight or by color signal control.' Then if you do fail his version of the test, make some calls to optometrists, optomertry colleges, other ame's, etc until you find a passable test listed above. You can print an FAA form and bring it to the optometrist and they can fill it out for you and you can bring it to the AME... Just do it within 30 days of going for the rest of your medical. Also bring the passing criteria from the FAA's website to the optometrist with you because the FAA allows more errors on certain tests. PM me if you need any more info.

Try the Dvorine, Keystone Telebinocular as well...

Can you see all of the colors in a rainbow?

Coach45

Dan64456 I believe you and I have a very similar color deficiency for I too can sometimes pass the ishihara if the lighting is correct. What are the different tests YOU took and how did they work? Titmus, Telebinocular...etc. I have to renew my first class medical and am opting to take one of the alternate tests.

Dan64456

Hey Coach,

We may be a couple of the extremely rare that don't really have any problems with color vision, but only with passing the tests. Some 'normal' people do get failed by the ishihara.. Either that or we are so close to normal that the only problem we ever would face in the real world is these tests.

When I took the FALANT I had to see the white and the green a few times. They made the white look a lot like the green because it is so dim with the filter they use and naturally anyone gets used to white lights always being brighter than green ones in the real world... Once I seen which ones were wich, I had no problem passing the test.

Also took the anomoloscope with the same doc (not an FAA test, but known to be very accurate). Doctor said at worst I am mild deuteranomoloy. ('M cone' or green cone slightly weak)

I'd recommend the keysone telebinocular... I passed that one with no problem. I had to look really hard for 1 or 2 of the numbers, but nailed them.

Titmus - I couldn't see the numbered plates becuase I think they had the light set way too dim. But the other slide that used the directional E's instead of the numbers I passed on that one as well.

I've messed with a bunch of tests that aren't accepted by the faa as well. Passed most of them.

I hear the Dvorine is a good test for borderline people as well.

Bottom line - in the real world I know for sure I have no problems with primary colors. As someone said before as long as you can see all of the color differences in a rainbow, you will be fine. (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet)

PM me if you need any more info... And good luck brother. Let us know how it goes.

Coach45

Thanks for the good info man...I am going to call around to some eye doctors tomorrow. Where can I get the forms for the docter to fill out after I complete a test? I was unable to find anything on the FAA website.

Good luck to you...don't give up on your dream. You can obviously pass an accepted test. Just stick with that test you passed and just take it yearly before you get the medical renewed.

Dan64456

Try calling some AME's as well... Tell them you wanna take color vision before continuing with the rest of the medical exam... Call ahead to find out which test they use at that office.

If you go to an optometrist instead, this is the form you can use:
Form 8500-7, REPORT OF EYE EVALUATION

ALso print this out and bring it with you as well... THe FAA standards on certain tests are different than what the manual suggests for eye doctors.

Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners<br>Decision Considerations

Coach45

So I think I am going to call some AMEs tomorrow because I called to 7 different Eye Doctors today and the only alternate test I could get a hold of was the Dvorine. I scheduled an appointment to take it. I will let everyone know my thoughts after I complete it (good or bad )

Also a word of the wise...I contacted AOPA (usually a very trusted source) and asked about the forms needed (before you got back to me Dan ) and the medical person told me to issue a letter to the FAA and get an LOE. My point is this is not up to date information, so if anyone hears one thing get it backed up by another professional.

rotorhead1026

No, actually you want to schedule a consultation. If you start the exam the test is on the record. If you fail, you start sliding ...

CONSULT, then take the Ishihara under normal lighting - not fluorescent. I'm thinking you'll do okay; the test wasn't designed for fluorescent light and this seems to make the test harder.

If you have trouble then you may have to find an alternate test, just as you've been doing.

Now the AOPA medical forum is a different animal. A couple of AME's (members, not AOPA employees) are on there a lot and can help you. They deal with this sort of thing frequently and are up to speed on it - unlike AOPA itself, apparently. If you're a member then try this first and follow their advice. I'm certainly not an expert.