Color Deficiency Reg = Crap!

[Iceman21]

As you can probably deduce, I am color deficient, and along with that disqualified from ever flying an aircraft for the USA. Kinda pisses me off. I won't get into the details of why. But let's just say, I cannot read the cards but I have passed the FALANT test which is no longer valid as of a year or two ago.

What I do not understand is why the FALANT test has been disqualified. If it was good then, why not now? There have been numerous studies done, which I guess hold no merit, that show mildly color deficient persons such as myself have no problems in a flying situation day or night.

Just blowing a load of steam off and starting a topic to debate.

Discuss

 

[chawbein]

The cockpit of a combat aircraft at night in a combat situation is one place where you would want zero color deficiencies.

 

[Iceman21]

That goes around the issue of what I stated above. I will have to dig up some of my research on the real world effects of color deficiency, which are near to none.

 

[skiddriver]

First, I'm sorry to hear that you've been stymied in your dream of serving your country as a pilot.

An ability to be able to discern colors is a requirement for a military aviator, because we color code so many things in the our systems and pubs. You need to be able to break out the standard green/yellow/red advisory/caution/and warning lights, read a 1:50 map and tell the difference between vegetation, sand and water, and look at a fluid and tell if it's hydraulic, oil or fuel - among a group of other tasks. Even in NVG compatible cockpits, we are heading toward NVG compatible colored displays, including moving maps and alert lighting.

Now you may be able to do all of these things. If you can pass the FALANT your must certainly be able to tell the difference between lights. Failing the embedded figure card tests tells me you might have some problem with more subtle color coding.

So why won't the military docs just give you a "practical" exam that runs the gamut of color coding tasks? Because they are extremely risk adverse when it comes to clearing physically marginal candidates. They have more applicants than they need, and can afford to pick and choose, even turning away the occasional marginally qualified candidate. There are a lot of "color enabled" folks out there for them to choose from, and there is no upside to clearing you if it might mean that you just end up failing at some mission critical task later.

I know that these reasons probably won't make you feel better, but try and understand that the reason we bring folks on into the service is to protect the republic. There are many jobs that you could excel at in the military, you might consider one of them. At any rate, my condolences for what I know (having had several friends who were NPQ'd along the way) must be a bitter disappointment for you. Good luck in your future endeavors.

 

[Draginass]

I suppose the bottom line is that they don't have to. Already lots of candidates out there with perfect color vision with qualifications equal to or better than yours. If there were a shortage of qualified applicants, then you'd stand a much better chance of a waiver.

FWIW, at my UPT arrival physical a "few" years ago, I saw the guy in front of me fail the embedded color test big time. He was sent back to personnel for reassignment. Some other guys with slight acuity deficiency got passed through with a wink and a nod.

 

[captainv]

color vision

If you want to stay civilian, there's still hope.

Go to a local FSDO and take the light gun test. they'll flash you white, green and red signals from, i believe, 1000 and 1500 feet, or maybe yards, i forget.

if you pass, you get a Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA). carry it with your medical and you'll never have to take the color test again.

although i can only see about 60% of the palettes on the color test, i've never had any problem in the real world, be it reading charts or intrpreting something on an EFIS screen...

 

[Iceman21]

Re: color vision

If you want to stay civilian, there's still hope.

Go to a local FSDO and take the light gun test. they'll flash you white, green and red signals from, i believe, 1000 and 1500 feet, or maybe yards, i forget.

if you pass, you get a Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA). carry it with your medical and you'll never have to take the color test again.

although i can only see about 60% of the palettes on the color test, i've never had any problem in the real world, be it reading charts or intrpreting something on an EFIS screen...

I know about that provision the FAA has. Hopefully I will not ever have to take, I am currently a FAA 1st Class Medical holder. But I will be prepared when that day comes.

Thanks for looking out for me though

 

[dgs]

I might have been inclined to agree with you when I flew an older airplane with black and white "steam-powered" gauges. However, you need good color vision to properly use most modern EFIS screen displays. I also think it would be helpful to be able to distinguish red, pink, and white when looking at VASIs.

 

[captainv]

It all depends on how serious the color deficiency is. in my case, i've never had trouble seeing the basics, red white green, amber, pink, blue, etc. on the tests, i was weak in seeing contrast - i'd see the red, but couldn't see the difference if the shades of red were close to each other. EFIS has never been a problem, nor have VASIs, even washed out in daylight.

it all depends on the person though, it can vary widely. the good news though, is that if you can get a waiver, it won't affect your career in any way. it's never been an issue in any interview for me.



>>I might have been inclined to agree with you when I flew an older airplane with black and white "steam-powered" gauges. However, you need good color vision to properly use most modern EFIS screen displays. I also think it would be helpful to be able to distinguish red, pink, and white when looking at VASIs.

 

[Iceman21]

It all depends on how serious the color deficiency is. in my case, i've never had trouble seeing the basics, red white green, amber, pink, blue, etc. on the tests, i was weak in seeing contrast - i'd see the red, but couldn't see the difference if the shades of red were close to each other. EFIS has never been a problem, nor have VASIs, even washed out in daylight.

This describes me to a T. And it describes my reasons for being miffed at the situation.

If I had gotten selected for a pilot slot years ago, I would be flying airplanes for the military, but since they decided to change the rule, I am now screwed, unless they decide to change the rule again. The way my luck works, they will change the rule the day I age out.