I am a dichromat protan (protanope) and am hoping to get my PPL. I took the third class OCVT at the San Jose FSDO Monday, which consisted of a chart color identification portion and a signal light test.

Despite my color deficiency, I passed the SLT, however, I mixed up some of my blues and magentas on the chart, mainly because my chart reading is a matter of comparing colors to the legend to identify airspace. Regardless, the test was deemed a failure because of my chart reading mistakes.

I received a call this morning from the FSDO telling me that the FAA will not allow me to retake the OCVT at night as they had said I could in the letter. This leaves me with a number of questions that I cannot seem to find answers to through calls to the FSDO and FAA Aeromedical.

Most importantly, why is it that because I struggle with identifying blue and magenta on the chart during the DAY, that my privileges at NIGHT are in question? Is it not just as important to be able to read charts during the day as it is at night? Why is it that I am allowed to fly by day with this chart-reading problem but not at night (bear in mind, I have no trouble reading charts, just a problem with telling you the names of the colors I'm seeing).

Now that I am being denied the chance to retake the test at night, I feel like the FAA is going back on their word when they say "If you do not meet the standard during the daylight test: You may retake the Operational Color Vision Test at night."

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

 

I should add that I am only pursuing this issue because I am confident, as far as lights and night flight go, I am not putting myself or any other pilot at any more risk than would a pilot with no color-deficiency. I can identify the colors of aviation lighting without issue.

 

Man I'm sorry you are going through this. It really can ruin your life. The funny part about the chart reading is you can tell which airspace it is by using other clues... Control tower frequency listed? single dashed line? Class D, until the tower closes.. Multiple bold circles? Class B or C.. it says the class right on the chart. Class B has more circles of course, so that's yet another clue.

Here is the full standard: Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners

And yes it's total BS that a silly chart test failed you... At night time, you are supposed to use a dim RED LIGHT to read the thing, and that distorts any color on the chart in the first place! How did you find out you were a dichromat? Did you get a full study done?

 

The only way to take the Farnsworth Lantern test nearby was to go to Berkeley and pay $175 for full color vision testing, and it was there that I was told I'm likely a dichromat. At this point nobody from the FAA wants to talk to me until I receive an official failure from Oklahoma City. It sounds like the only course of action from there is to write the head doctor a letter as he is not reachable by phone or email. I'm mainly frustrated because I feel like any pilot will get into major trouble if they cannot read a chart, especially in my home area with KSFO, KSJC, and KOAK, and since I've avoided busting into any airspace or flying into any mountains then I likely am completely able to read a chart, regardless of what the FAA thinks. If anyone knows of a better way to talk to someone from Aeromedical that isn't a phone operator and is accessible by phone or email I'd appreciate it.

 

The thing that irks me is that if anyone were flying in that area, they would likely be on flight following, or an IFR flight plan anyway.. Class B, C, or D, it doesn't matter.. You still need to be talking to ATC either way... And if you were flying IFR, it's even less of an issue because you aren't worried about the varying cloud clearance requirements anymore either. You might have some luck if you moved to Australia or Brazil, if you really want to be a pilot and have a color vision "problem". Go to cvdpa.com there is lots of good info there. But with the FAA, if you took the OCVT already, you are likely screwed. It's always worth a shot tho, so write that letter and explain your situation. Get a doctor or Tower guy to back you up on the light gun pass too.

 

The FAA has really taken a hard line on color vision since it was cited as a causal factor in a cargo carrier crash, think it was FedEx, a few years back. The pilot involved did have a Statement of demonstrated ability SODA from the FAA. I have friends with color vision issues and a medical, however they are restricted from flying at night.

 

That's the exact point I'm making. That whole thing is based on biased and bad science. People always cite this accident never even having read the NTSB report. The FE and the Captain on that flight, both looking at the same runway, both color normal, made no mention of 4 red PAPI lights on the CVR. There is some evidence that the PAPI system itself is flawed, especially when condensation is a factor, with lights appearing "Pinkish". That runway is also a known "black hole" area at night. Another major problem was fatigue. Color vision was not to blame here..

"According to the flight engineer, the pilots were not rushed during the approach to
TLH. The flight engineer stated that, after they completed the before landing checklist, he
turned to his instrument panel to scan the instruments.20 He checked the fuel indicators,
turned off the right air conditioning pack, and ensured that temperature, hydraulic, and
electrical indications were good for landing. He stated that everything looked and felt
normal until he started to feel like they were in turbulence. He said that when he felt the
ěturbulenceî and looked out the front windshield, the airplane was in a slight
right-wing-low attitude and he realized that they were going to hit something. None of the
flight crewmembers indicated that they ever saw all red lights on the PAPI during the
approach"

http://www.ntsb.gov/doclib/reports/2004/aar0402.pdf

 

Under section 3.2, Probable Cause, the report specifically states a contributing factor to the accident was "...the First Officer's color vision deficiency." Not the only factor but a contributing factor. Bad science or not that is the was the NTSB report reads.

 

Yes Bman, that is true.. Sorry if that came off as a personal attack.. I meant no disrespect whatsoever.. I just get heated about this topic since it directly affected the course of my life over the past 7 years. The FAA is actually one of the more fair authorities when it comes to color vision testing.. They allow several different tests and even the practical real world test if you can't pass any of the many office based tests.. It is also worth noting that there are currently thousands if not tens of thousands of pilots flying around today with a known color vision deficiency.. But anyway to keep it short, check out A 'Testing' Challenge : Colour Vision Defective Pilots Association (CVDPA) and the rest of the site.. It's interesting how different countries have way different color vision standards.. some lenient, some more strict than required for a job as an interior designer. A pilot from Australia can fly an Australian registered jumbo jet into the UK legally, yet wouldn't be allowed to rent a 172 and fly it at night.