Which color vision test is preferred?

[Greg Copeland[_1_]]

My memory was telling me that Farnsworth Lantern test was preferred to get
a waiver. Since that no longer seems possible, I'm looking for options
here. I read today that a Dvorine or AOC test is preferred. Can anyone
confirm that? Recommend another? Are these tests hard to find? What's
available in the Dallas? Obviously, I'd like to try to shop around some
of these tests without involving the FAA, before I have to use the light
gun test as a last resort.

I do suffer from a mild form of deuteranopia. Is there any statistics on
the number of pilots with this type of color blindness which have
successfully obtained their waiver/exemption? I remember reading, over a
year ago, some document from the FAA which gave some statistics, but I no
longer remember the break out.


Greg

[Stubby]

I'm wondering about this. If you vision is insufficient for safe
flight, why do you want to rig a test to get your medical? Don't fly if
you are not safe!


Greg Copeland wrote:
> My memory was telling me that Farnsworth Lantern test was preferred to get
> a waiver. Since that no longer seems possible, I'm looking for options
> here. I read today that a Dvorine or AOC test is preferred. Can anyone
> confirm that? Recommend another? Are these tests hard to find? What's
> available in the Dallas? Obviously, I'd like to try to shop around some
> of these tests without involving the FAA, before I have to use the light
> gun test as a last resort.
>
> I do suffer from a mild form of deuteranopia. Is there any statistics on
> the number of pilots with this type of color blindness which have
> successfully obtained their waiver/exemption? I remember reading, over a
> year ago, some document from the FAA which gave some statistics, but I no
> longer remember the break out.
>
>
> Greg
>
>
>
>

[Greg Copeland[_1_]]

On Fri, 04 Aug 2006 21:28:02 -0400, Stubby wrote:

> I'm wondering about this. If you vision is insufficient for safe
> flight, why do you want to rig a test to get your medical? Don't fly if
> you are not safe!
>

In no way, shape, or form am I attempting to rig a test. The FAA sets the
rules and I am attempting to fully comply. Everything I'm doing is
well laid out by the FAA, AOPA, and several other sites providing
medial information to pilots like my self. Some tests are much harder
than what is actually required to safely fly. For example, failure to
calculate the square of 144332.12 in your head, within three seconds,
hardly means you can not be a good accountant.

I am only seeking information which provides me the best chance of passing
while meeting the FAA's requirements. If I pass, according to the FAA,
that makes me safe to fly. Regardless of which test I do, it must be a
test the FAA accepts. Keep in mind, some vision tests are even difficult
for people without color issues.

Frankly, implying that I'm willfully attempting to bypass a safety
protocol is more than a little bit insulting. If I were trying to do
that, I'd be looking for a quack which would look the other way rather
than follow the rules. I can assure you, I am in no hurry to put my self,
my family, or anyone else at risk.

Greg

[Peter Dohm]

"Greg Copeland" > wrote in message
...
> My memory was telling me that Farnsworth Lantern test was preferred to get
> a waiver. Since that no longer seems possible, I'm looking for options
> here. I read today that a Dvorine or AOC test is preferred. Can anyone
> confirm that? Recommend another? Are these tests hard to find? What's
> available in the Dallas? Obviously, I'd like to try to shop around some
> of these tests without involving the FAA, before I have to use the light
> gun test as a last resort.
>
> I do suffer from a mild form of deuteranopia. Is there any statistics on
> the number of pilots with this type of color blindness which have
> successfully obtained their waiver/exemption? I remember reading, over a
> year ago, some document from the FAA which gave some statistics, but I no
> longer remember the break out.
>
>
> Greg
>
>
>
>
I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV :-)

Actually, my local EAA chapter has had an AME speak a couple of times over
the years, and I recall that this subject has been addresses locally be
others as well. Some years ago, a friend had the same problem and had to
obtain a Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA).

To the best of my knowledge, the FAA's interest in this matter is limited to
your ability to distinguish between the Red, Green, and White of the control
tower light gun signals--no other shades or combinations of those or any
other colors are of interest for this purpose. Good sources of reliable
information should include AOPA, EAA, your friendly local AME and the Safety
Program Managers from your local FSDO--who can be reached informally at any
of the semenars which they host. Of course, the easiest of all might be to
have a local tower controlled shine his light gun your way.

If you are in Southeast Florida, I can refer you to a source. Otherwise,
start with AOPA or EAA (depending on your membership) or look for the next
nearby seminar on http://www.faasafety.gov/SPANS/events.aspx


I hope this helps.

Peter

[Sylvain]

Peter Dohm wrote:

> Actually, my local EAA chapter has had an AME speak a couple of times over
> the years, and I recall that this subject has been addresses locally be
> others as well. Some years ago, a friend had the same problem and had to
> obtain a Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA).

two things: the test that is no longer recognized is the Farnsworth D15,
and not the Farnsworth lantern test -- which as far as I know was not in
the list of tests approved by the FAA (it was however the prefered test
for the British CAA);

that said, I would be curious to know why they no longer use the D15; it
is actually a pretty good test to identify color vision deficiencies, i.e.,
much tougher to pass than the light gun test...

it seems that the FAA nowdays provides a waiver which is not a SODA; or
may be waiver is not the correct term either; what I got is a letter
from the FAA that says I did pass one of the approved tests; i.e.,
if you pass one of the approved alternative tests the FAA considers that
you are as good to go as the folks who passed the standard Ishihara one;
i.e., there is a difference between a SODA and a waiver (I hold both
a SODA and a waiver for two different things :-) -- the SODA I carry
with me along with my medical; the waiver I keep at home and only show
it to the AME when renewing the medical.

> of the semenars which they host. Of course, the easiest of all might be
> to have a local tower controlled shine his light gun your way.

....but when you do so, bring along a friend who: a) you know for sure
has no color vision deficiency (you'd be surprised), the safer bet is
a female friend (females are far less likely to have color vision
problems); b) someone that you actually do trust not to pull your
leg...; most folks out there can't help themselves from playing tricks
on you if they find out your are color blind and won't call the colors
as they see them (it's dumb, but not unusual...);

what I found surprising (I have a protanomalous vision) is that I have
no problem identifying the red signal, but do confuse the white and
green ones... what helped me a lot was to be able to see what the
'white' signal was supposed to look like and then what the 'green'
one was supposed to look like; I needed qualibration so to speak :-)
then I was able to pass the test. Ideally, find a way to borrow
a light gun... talk nicely to the folks of your local tower or
FSDO, I found they were more than happy to help.

--Sylvain

[Jon Kraus]

Don't listen to that idiot... Here is what you do... Call you're local
FSDO and tell them that you want to take the signal gun light test from
a local control tower. They will arrange it for you and is easy to do.

If I remember correctly (it has been a few years) the first test is
administered during the day. You will stand in two different postions
releative to the control tower and they will flash the signal gun at
you. I think you stand at 1200 feet and then 700 feet but I could be
wrong about the exact distance.

I had to get 100% on naming the colors and I did. I think that if you
get even one wrong you fail the test. I'm not positive about that so
don't hold me to it.

If for some reason you fail the daytime test you can ask to be retested
at night. I didn't have to do this, but I imagine it is the same thing
only at night.

If you pass then you will be issued a new medical certificate that has
the "no flying at night or by color signal light" restriction removed.
I don't think there is a Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA) for
this anymore. At least that is what the guy at the FSDO told me.

Then once you pass just tell your Medical Examiner at renewal time that
you don't have to take the "bubble-test" anymore and that is that (at
least that is how it has worked for me).

I hope you can pass because although I don't do a lot of flying at
night, when I do it is on of the most beautiful times for flying. Good
luck. You can email me offline if you have further questions.

Jon Kraus
'79 Mooney 201
4443H @ UMP

Greg Copeland wrote:

> On Fri, 04 Aug 2006 21:28:02 -0400, Stubby wrote:
>
>
>>I'm wondering about this. If you vision is insufficient for safe
>>flight, why do you want to rig a test to get your medical? Don't fly if
>>you are not safe!
>>
>
>
> In no way, shape, or form am I attempting to rig a test. The FAA sets the
> rules and I am attempting to fully comply. Everything I'm doing is
> well laid out by the FAA, AOPA, and several other sites providing
> medial information to pilots like my self. Some tests are much harder
> than what is actually required to safely fly. For example, failure to
> calculate the square of 144332.12 in your head, within three seconds,
> hardly means you can not be a good accountant.
>
> I am only seeking information which provides me the best chance of passing
> while meeting the FAA's requirements. If I pass, according to the FAA,
> that makes me safe to fly. Regardless of which test I do, it must be a
> test the FAA accepts. Keep in mind, some vision tests are even difficult
> for people without color issues.
>
> Frankly, implying that I'm willfully attempting to bypass a safety
> protocol is more than a little bit insulting. If I were trying to do
> that, I'd be looking for a quack which would look the other way rather
> than follow the rules. I can assure you, I am in no hurry to put my self,
> my family, or anyone else at risk.
>
> Greg
>
>

[Kingfish]

Greg Copeland wrote:
> My memory was telling me that Farnsworth Lantern test was preferred to get
> a waiver. Since that no longer seems possible, I'm looking for options
> here. I read today that a Dvorine or AOC test is preferred. Can anyone
> confirm that? Recommend another? Are these tests hard to find? What's
> available in the Dallas? Obviously, I'd like to try to shop around some
> of these tests without involving the FAA, before I have to use the light
> gun test as a last resort.
>
> I do suffer from a mild form of deuteranopia. Is there any statistics on
> the number of pilots with this type of color blindness which have
> successfully obtained their waiver/exemption? I remember reading, over a
> year ago, some document from the FAA which gave some statistics, but I no
> longer remember the break out.
>
>
> Greg

When I took my physical for the Air Force eons ago I found out I had a
red/green deficiency. Never knew this as I'd worked with colored wiring
in my electronics biz for years with no problems. One of the tests I
took that day was the Farnsworth Lantern. I now have a First Class SODA
having passed the FAA signal lamp test. The SODA was originally a Third
Class but got upgraded. I stood out on the ramp at the FSDO with an
inspector who called the tower on a handheld. It was an overcast day
and the tower had the green shades pulled down (I have no idea why) The
white and green lights looked rather close in shade to me but different
enough to tell apart. Even now when flying at night, from a long
distance the green/white flash of an airport beacon is tough to tell
apart until I get closer - the green flash always looks darker though.

[Jon Kraus]

<snip>
I stood out on the ramp at the FSDO with an
> inspector who called the tower on a handheld. It was an overcast day
> and the tower had the green shades pulled down (I have no idea why) The
> white and green lights looked rather close in shade to me but different
> enough to tell apart. Even now when flying at night, from a long
> distance the green/white flash of an airport beacon is tough to tell
> apart until I get closer - the green flash always looks darker though.

This is exactly what I had to do. When I passed they issued me a new
medical certificate on the spot.

I also have trouble with the airport beacon but could tell you the white
from green if I had to.

Another place where I can have problems is on VASI or PAPI's. During the
day they (the red's) sometimes are hard to distinguish. At night I am OK.


Jon Kraus