Urgent medical exam question
10-07-2011, 01:29 PM
#1
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Joined APC: Aug 2011
Position: DA-20 Left
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Urgent medical exam question
I'm freaking OUT right now. This is a life changing moment for me....
Anyways, I went to an AME today and got my first class. The only problem is: I failed the Ishihara AND the FALANT. I've found one or two youtube videos and looked at the light gun signals from the tower in the video, and the green looks white, and the red looks green sometimes....(maybe I have to actually see it in person to be able to distinguish?) <--(but that's not the case, both my parents can instantly tell what color it is)
Now, I'm NOT color blind, at most a little deficient (but I'm not sure)
I can identify every red and green up close, but sometimes when you show me say, a food packaging box, and it has green or red, I can tell you it's green or red up close....
Hold it farther from me, and it's another story. To me, it looks BROWN, REALLY DARK GREEN, OR EVEN DARK RED or something...(maybe I'm just color confused?)
HELP! What do I do?! I know I can do the Light Gun Test, but I don't want to take the HUGE risk of NOT ever being able to become an airline/corporate/cargo pilot!!!!!
It's been my dream since 6 years old! I'm 18 now, btw.
Anyways, I went to an AME today and got my first class. The only problem is: I failed the Ishihara AND the FALANT. I've found one or two youtube videos and looked at the light gun signals from the tower in the video, and the green looks white, and the red looks green sometimes....(maybe I have to actually see it in person to be able to distinguish?) <--(but that's not the case, both my parents can instantly tell what color it is)
Now, I'm NOT color blind, at most a little deficient (but I'm not sure)
I can identify every red and green up close, but sometimes when you show me say, a food packaging box, and it has green or red, I can tell you it's green or red up close....
Hold it farther from me, and it's another story. To me, it looks BROWN, REALLY DARK GREEN, OR EVEN DARK RED or something...(maybe I'm just color confused?)
HELP! What do I do?! I know I can do the Light Gun Test, but I don't want to take the HUGE risk of NOT ever being able to become an airline/corporate/cargo pilot!!!!!
It's been my dream since 6 years old! I'm 18 now, btw.
10-07-2011, 03:32 PM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2011
Position: faa sr. medical examiner (HIMS)
Posts: 216
renewal orninitial issue? I hope your ame deferred decision to faa and did not 'fail' you. Then the faa will direct you for a light gun test. It may take a little time but it is a onetime deal.
10-07-2011, 03:48 PM
#3
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Joined APC: May 2006
Position: ATP, CFI etc.
Posts: 6,056
Why did you get a first class medical to begin with at 18? There is some value to finding out if you can or can't pass a first class medical early on, especially if you want to be a Part 121 pilot or if you have any doubt about passing it. But you only need a second class medical to start. You can do several years of Part 91 and 135 flying on a second class medical before even considering or qualifying for an airline.
Do you even have an instrument rating now?
Do you even have an instrument rating now?
10-07-2011, 04:38 PM
#4
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Joined APC: Jan 2010
Posts: 327
I think he definitely did the right thing by going for the First Class. If your goal is flying for a living, its best to find out early if you qualify for the First Class medical. Way too much investment/committment required, only to find you're not medically qualified.
10-07-2011, 06:00 PM
#5
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Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,837
There are numerous threads on color tests and problems associated with failing the medicals. You should do a quick search and read them. They will lead you down the right path. It isn't just a light gun test anymore. It is much more inclusive and involved now including a flight with a FSDO.
USMCFLYR
USMCFLYR
10-08-2011, 04:12 AM
#7
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Thanks everybody for the help! I still have a few more questions:
Since I passed 7/9 FALANT questions, should I just pay another $65 to have it tested again (CAN I?)? This way I can take the FALANT as many times as I want without risking my future career. (the system was really old, it was the optec 3000) (The colors seemed way off. The white seemed yellow greenish, the green seemed yellow greenish as well, but the red was obvious, but had a really pinkish hue.)
^ The reason I failed the last two is because the green and white were soo similar. Also, weren't I supposed to get 3 sets of tries? I only got 1!
For white lights, it has a yellow tinge to it right? (like a yellow halo thing)
For Green, there is a noticeable green halo tinge and for red, there is a red tinge right?
Just want to know if there are some tips on seeing the lights' colors at the airport.
Also, yes, I did my first class medical to make sure that I could actually get one before investing in lots of flight training. Right now, I'm glad I did that. But if only the color went well, then I would be well on my way into my first flight lesson already (without a restriction, that is)......
Since I passed 7/9 FALANT questions, should I just pay another $65 to have it tested again (CAN I?)? This way I can take the FALANT as many times as I want without risking my future career. (the system was really old, it was the optec 3000) (The colors seemed way off. The white seemed yellow greenish, the green seemed yellow greenish as well, but the red was obvious, but had a really pinkish hue.)
^ The reason I failed the last two is because the green and white were soo similar. Also, weren't I supposed to get 3 sets of tries? I only got 1!
For white lights, it has a yellow tinge to it right? (like a yellow halo thing)
For Green, there is a noticeable green halo tinge and for red, there is a red tinge right?
Just want to know if there are some tips on seeing the lights' colors at the airport.
Also, yes, I did my first class medical to make sure that I could actually get one before investing in lots of flight training. Right now, I'm glad I did that. But if only the color went well, then I would be well on my way into my first flight lesson already (without a restriction, that is)......
10-08-2011, 04:25 AM
#8
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,837
Originally Posted by bumbulbi
Thanks everybody for the help! I still have a few more questions:
Since I passed 7/9 FALANT questions, should I just pay another $65 to have it tested again (CAN I?)? This way I can take the FALANT as many times as I want without risking my future career. (the system was really old, it was the optec 3000) (The colors seemed way off. The white seemed yellow greenish, the green seemed yellow greenish as well, but the red was obvious, but had a really pinkish hue.)
^ The reason I failed the last two is because the green and white were soo similar. Also, weren't I supposed to get 3 sets of tries? I only got 1!
For white lights, it has a yellow tinge to it right? (like a yellow halo thing)
For Green, there is a noticeable green halo tinge and for red, there is a red tinge right?
Just want to know if there are some tips on seeing the lights' colors at the airport.
Also, yes, I did my first class medical to make sure that I could actually get one before investing in lots of flight training. Right now, I'm glad I did that. But if only the color went well, then I would be well on my way into my first flight lesson already (without a restriction, that is)......
Since I passed 7/9 FALANT questions, should I just pay another $65 to have it tested again (CAN I?)? This way I can take the FALANT as many times as I want without risking my future career. (the system was really old, it was the optec 3000) (The colors seemed way off. The white seemed yellow greenish, the green seemed yellow greenish as well, but the red was obvious, but had a really pinkish hue.)
^ The reason I failed the last two is because the green and white were soo similar. Also, weren't I supposed to get 3 sets of tries? I only got 1!
For white lights, it has a yellow tinge to it right? (like a yellow halo thing)
For Green, there is a noticeable green halo tinge and for red, there is a red tinge right?
Just want to know if there are some tips on seeing the lights' colors at the airport.
Also, yes, I did my first class medical to make sure that I could actually get one before investing in lots of flight training. Right now, I'm glad I did that. But if only the color went well, then I would be well on my way into my first flight lesson already (without a restriction, that is)......
When looking at the FALANT colors - if it isn't WHITE, then it is the other color.
If this isn't clear - stop with all of the yellowish tint, pinkish red, light green thought process. If the light has ANY shade of red in it - say RED.
USMCFLYR
10-08-2011, 05:05 AM
#9
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Thank you.
However, look at this picture:
http://www.brw.net/blog/wp-content/u...way-lights.jpg
the Red lights, I can obviously tell they are red. But the Runway end lights (the ones that are horizontal) look *blueish-whitish* to me.
I KNOW the approach lights and the runway edge lights (running the length of the runway vertically) are WHITE, but as I said before, don't they look like they have a *greenish-yellowish* halo around them?
This is where I get confused
and also, if I take the FALANT again and I pass, do I ever have to take a color vision test again (for each medical renewal)?
I heard from my AME that if I pass the light gun test, i will get a SODA and will NEVER have to take color vision again (so long as the FAA doesn't change their policies)
However, look at this picture:
http://www.brw.net/blog/wp-content/u...way-lights.jpg
the Red lights, I can obviously tell they are red. But the Runway end lights (the ones that are horizontal) look *blueish-whitish* to me.
I KNOW the approach lights and the runway edge lights (running the length of the runway vertically) are WHITE, but as I said before, don't they look like they have a *greenish-yellowish* halo around them?
This is where I get confused
and also, if I take the FALANT again and I pass, do I ever have to take a color vision test again (for each medical renewal)?
I heard from my AME that if I pass the light gun test, i will get a SODA and will NEVER have to take color vision again (so long as the FAA doesn't change their policies)
10-08-2011, 05:57 AM
#10
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Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,253
Originally Posted by Cubdriver
Why did you get a first class medical to begin with at 18? There is some value to finding out if you can or can't pass a first class medical early on, especially if you want to be a Part 121 pilot or if you have any doubt about passing it. But you only need a second class medical to start. You can do several years of Part 91 and 135 flying on a second class medical before even considering or qualifying for an airline.
Do you even have an instrument rating now?
Do you even have an instrument rating now?
But there's no difference in color vision standards between first and second class anyway. I don't think they will let a private pilot fly around at night with deficient color vision.
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