bumbulbi

Yeah, that's what I told him..

But I'll be going next saturday. hoping for the best

Dan64456

Some good news: It DOES seem like they ARE trying to be more fair about this... From Navigation Services - Lighting Systems Group - MALSR about the lights:
LED MALSR System - The Medium Approach Light System with Runway Alignment Indicator Lights (MALSR) system has been evaluated for replacement of the current incandescent lamps with LED lamps and it has been determined that it will be extremely beneficial to do this replacement. The FAA awarded a contract in June 2010 to conduct a feasibility study for implementing the LED lamps and, if found feasible, prototype LED lamps will be developed for environmental testing and flight evaluation before starting production. The feasibility study will also determine if the LED lamps will support Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS) operations. A Civil Aviation Medical Institute (CAMI) study is also being conducted to determine if color deficient pilots can properly see the LED lamps.
The FAA conducted a CBA on the replacement of PAR-56 incandescent lamps with LED lamps for all MALSR threshold light applications. The study concluded that there was a considerable benefit in replacement lamps and the sensitivity analysis confirmed that the decision was sound. Lamp life and lamp costs were the two most influential factors. Estimated savings were significant and the costs of the change would be returned in only two years.


So it's good that it seems like they are trying to accommodate and be more sensible about this... Something like a standard color palate distinguishable to a higher percentage of humans and/or symbols instead of color only would make this whole color vision thing obsolete, one can dream I guess... The FAA actually already is one of the better organizations when it comes to color vision standards, but others are starting to realize they have been too strict, and they are basing more of the new standards on science, fairness, and actual safety rather than maintaining a group of financially motivated doctors arbitrary ivory tower. Either way, we are fortunate to have a 'real world test' option, and that should ALWAYS be an option... Some places don't even have that, I think most of Europe does not.

Also check out: http://www.cvdpilots.com/ It's a group of people that are trying to form a voice on this issue... Apparently Brazil has fair standards too... Check it out, some good info there.

bumbulbi

Thanks Dan! Gosh, I can't thank you all enough!

I just wish the LED's were already implemented... would make my life so much easier (and many others lives too)

Traffic lights are LED's right?

But since you mentioned 2010, I reckon it's still gonna be awhile before they take action... (with NextGen taking up all the time/money now...)

I checked out the website, and it doesn't really seem active, but a good resource, nonetheless. I'll be starting ground school/first lesson tomorrow morning!

Dan64456

Good luck on your lesson... You're gonna love it, and you will never forget your first lesson, for life, even if it's the last one you take. Just try to concentrate on the flying, and less so on colors... You don't need that crap clouding up your brain (as I know it does) when trying to learn a new skill... Worry about the color thing after you try the light gun, and have a better idea of what colors the lights are supposed to be. (After 10 or so lessons)

bumbulbi

I understand... but it's just that when I see ANY colors now, I get depressed..... it makes me sad to think about it, and scared..

>.<

Dan64456

Hey no use in worrying about a door that is not locked yet. You didn't exhaust nearly all of your options yet, and there are plenty of Class 1 color deficient airline pilots safely flying around the world as we speak right now... Trust me, it will mess with your head, focus on what you CAN try for now, learn more about yourself, learn your weakness, and try to work around it. First thing you need to do is accept that you do have a deficiency. You don't know how strong or weak it is yet, so like I said before, try the light gun, try the lights, try the charts... Also you really should call your local college of optometry, and get an appointment for a full analysis, then you will be well versed on the topic. (This is what I did, and now I am much more informed because of it.) Information is power. Keep your head up friend. Good luck

BeechBus

It is amazing how vivid LED colors are...for me anyways. I noticed it first on the new nav lights for the A320/319. If you compare an LED Green next to a green on faded lens from an older aircraft, its like they are two completely different colors. I'm all for LED.

bumbulbi

Sigh... I accept it. It's not like I can help it, as it is genetic....

But yes, I will keep everything open, as nothing is gone yet!

Also, I'm all for LED lights as well, but Dan, you mentioned 2010...It's gonna take like YEARS to even implement them at one airport or airline...

Technology moves at a fast pace, but it's hard to keep up...

bumbulbi

Just got off the phone with my instructor, and he said that I will need 5 night flying hours...

What happens if I don't pass the light gun test? I forfeit my PPL??


Also, have any pilots have flown into Grand Forks International Airport and/or Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport?

There are LED's in testing on operational runways, can some pilots tell me if it is very very noticeable?

Also, Dan, if I can, should I wait until the FAA replaces the LED's (who knows how long it will take, showing progress though) to take the tower test? (by that time the tower lights should be LED as well...)

EDIT: OOHH!! This sounds promising! Very recent news:
http://your-story.org/patriot-taxiwa...or-faa-271632/

Dan64456

What happens if I don't pass the light gun test? I forfeit my PPL??
Nope, you can still fly during the day, and get your license with no problem. I did my "night training" with my instructor AND with the restriction... This is legal, there is no SOLO night requirement, but you are NOT legal to fly SOLO at night. After passing my checkride, I went on to pass the FALANT, and I also found a few other FAA acceptable color vision tests I could pass at the college of optometry, then my restriction was removed. And I thought it was only 3 night flight hours??? Either way, I loved the night flight, it's kind of like IFR, but in my area, where it is densely populated, this was one of the most peaceful and beautiful experiences I ever had (just pray you don't have an engine problem, lol) the dense population makes it way easier to gauge your position in reference to the horizon.

Also, Dan, if I can, should I wait until the FAA replaces the LED's (who knows how long it will take, showing progress though) to take the tower test? (by that time the tower lights should be LED as well...)

Don't bank on the LED's (like u said, this could be 10 or 15 years to phase all old systems out), you should be able to see ALL of the lights, just get this out of the way as soon as you can, but prepare yourself and practice. They made the lights pretty damn easy to tell apart, I can see all of the vivid colors they use with no problem (even the incandescent type), keep in mind that twilight is the hardest time for ANYONE to see colors, because your vision is transitioning between Night and Day mode. Just go on Saturday and see how you do with the informal light gun practice, and let us know... Also see if you can get a high quality recording of it for us!