color blind

[Swaziland]

My 16 year old wants to be a pilot he is color blind does he have any chance at all to fly? What I really mean will a airline ever hire him?

 

[svcta]

I have a color deficiency. I took the old-school light gun test at a local airport after I had a student pilot cert. that had a night limitation and passed with no problem. After that I was issued a "Statement of Demonstrated Ability" or SODA. It was a one time deal that I never have to repeat and I skip the isochromatic plates every time I get a physical.

I hold a 1st class medical with NO LIMITATIONS. As I understand it they no longer issue SODAs and I think you have to take the Farnsworth Lantern Test, which was only one of the choices I had back then(10 years ago). I may have that wrong. They issue some other piece of paper now that has another name.

You'll find that it's a well-traveled path but I would have him go ahead and get the Student Pilot Cert. so he can get the folks at the FSDO to actually pay attention to him and get the thing taken care of.

Now all of this is predicated on the assumption that your son can see the colors well enough. As far as airlines hiring him.....if he has a 1st class med. with no limits there should be no problem. Even with a company physical. But find an AME that has experience with this sort of thing(waivers, SODAs, etc) and stick with him. I like seeing "NO LIMITATIONS" in that box that says Limitations.

 

[Gordo]

I took my Farnsworth Lantern test and sent it to the FAA. The FAA sent me a letter that states I pass the Color vision portion of the Class I medical and that the letter suffices to replace any and all color vision test in all future physicals. i have held a class I with no restrictions for 9 years now. I had no problem passing the farnsworth lantern test. I was hired to three major air carriers and passed their physicals with this letter as well. I have also flown in the USAF for 20 years in multiple aircraft with no problems. I have made copies of the test and the FAA letter and have them safeguarded. Good Luck

 

[The_Russian]

I took an alternate test in 99 for my red/green and shade-blind issues. Basically, I went to my local optomitrist (sp?) and he issued me an FAA compliant test. He mailed the paperwork to the FAA upon completion of the test at 99%. The FAA mailed me a First Class medical along with papers to bring to each medical from now on. I also have no limitations.

 

[The_Russian]

BTW the Navy/Marines/CG will waive some levels of color blindness. Army/Air Force will not waive.