Color Vision Dillema

[starcheckdriver]

Here is my situation:

I travel 1000 miles every six months to my home town to renew my 1st class medical. The reason for this is that the AME there has the one color vision test I am able to pass. Is there a way for me to get a letter from the FAA to allow me to visit a local AME and not have to take the color vision test that he/she administers? Or, do I first have to fail and then request a letter?

 

[Say Again Over]

Sounds like you need some advice from an AME before you get grounded, if others have given a test you couldn't pass, does this mean you failed an exam?

 

[GravityHater]

I seriously doubt you could get a waiver for any part of the test. You can get a SODA (a letter of waiver) for color blindness (I have one) but the system at this moment 'thinks' your color vision is normal so how can you get a soda for that? Can you get one for the urine test, the visual acuity test, the heart auscultation?
And yes we are all wondering what test this special AME has that is different from everyone else's!

 

[Thedude]

First off, a SOAD is not a waiver. It mean statement of demonstrated ability.
There used to be the Farnsworth Latern test but I hear that is not longer used/authorized by the feds.
You can request a ride with the feds to get the SODA and once you get the SODA you no longer have to take the blot/spot (whatever they call that thing) test. Your medical will show no limitations and the AME and only you (and the Feds of course) will know that you have the SODA. As far as having to fail the test before you can request a SODA ride, I havent a clue on that one. Give the FSDO a call.

 

[DC8 Flyer]

Here is my situation:

I travel 1000 miles every six months to my home town to renew my 1st class medical. The reason for this is that the AME there has the one color vision test I am able to pass. Is there a way for me to get a letter from the FAA to allow me to visit a local AME and not have to take the color vision test that he/she administers? Or, do I first have to fail and then request a letter?

I'm curious also as to what test you can pass, but can not pass the others. The SODA is very easy to get if you do fail the color vision test, is good for life, and you do NOT have to tell anyone you have it.

Now, the stupid thing with the color test with the FEDS, you have to do the test during daylight hours, because according to them, at nite there is better contrast and the test is "easier". WTFO! If you are truly color blind, not color deficient, but color BLIND contrast means nothing. God I love our government.

 

[Wang Chung]

You can get a "Letter of Competence" from the FAA that states you can pass one or more 'alternate color vision tests' and that you qualify for an unrestricted medical (other conditions notwithstanding). It can be shown to any AME and they will basically skip the color vision portion of their exam on the basis of the letter.

The letter is issued after an eye doc submits some paperwork to the FAA stating that you have passed one or more of the tests. There are a variety of tests available (8 of them, I think), and some people pass certain tests while others fail the same tests - everybody is a bit different. And no, you don't need to fail a color-vision test at your local AME's office before going thru this process.

I had a similar color-vision situaiton and I contacted the docs at www.aviationmedicine.com. These guys deal with color-vision issues all the time. I was able to pass a couple of the less-common color vision tests, I got the testing documented and I was issued the FAA letter shortly thereafter. I suppose I could have done the light-gun/SODA test but I chose to do the professional color-vision testing route instead.

 

[BluDevAv8r]

Take an alternate test (I took the FALANT test way back when...12 years ago) and have the doctor write you a letter that you will then submit to the FAA in OKC. They will then issue you a letter that says you do not have to be issued a color vision test at any subsequent medical examination.

-Neal

 

[starcheckdriver]

The color vision test my AME uses is the Titmus Vision Tester. It is similar to the DMV box. I can pass that test, but know for a fact that I cannot pass the Ishihara plates that many AMEs use.

So, do get this competency letter, can I have my AME write a letter stating I passed the Titmus Vision Test (which is an FAA approved alternate test) and have OK City issue this letter for the future?

 

[BluDevAv8r]

The color vision test my AME uses is the Titmus Vision Tester. It is similar to the DMV box. I can pass that test, but know for a fact that I cannot pass the Ishihara plates that many AMEs use.

So, do get this competency letter, can I have my AME write a letter stating I passed the Titmus Vision Test (which is an FAA approved alternate test) and have OK City issue this letter for the future?

Yes. Last time I checked at least...use the guys from www.aviationmedicine.com

-Neal

 

[starcheckdriver]

Yes. Last time I checked at least...use the guys from www.aviationmedicine.com

-Neal

Any idea how much it costs? What services will they provide for this situation?

 

[BluDevAv8r]

Any idea how much it costs? What services will they provide for this situation?

I don't know...I have never used them but have heard good things. I just did it through my doctor 12 years ago straight to the FAA and that worked too but the aviationmedicine guys will know the deal with the FAA today.

-Neal

 

[JSky26]

Just to let you know the Farnsworth is still acceptable. I have a letter of competence stating that I passed that test as I cannot pass the color plates. I went through Virtual Flight Surgeons (aviationmedicine.com) and the fee is $400. Seems steep but well worth it. They have a direct contact inside Ok City and can get you that LOC pretty.

 

[Horizon]

Just to let you know the Farnsworth is still acceptable. I have a letter of competence stating that I passed that test as I cannot pass the color plates. I went through Virtual Flight Surgeons (aviationmedicine.com) and the fee is $400. Seems steep but well worth it. They have a direct contact inside Ok City and can get you that LOC pretty.

Did you have to physically travel to their location? If so, where are they located?

 

[GravityHater]

I think what everyone is missing is that he wants to maintain his status as a normochromic candidate.

Yes he can do these other tests and get a SODA - but the way I read it was he wanted to continue with the 'Normal Color Vision' box checked off on his medical, and get a letter saying he never has to do any other color vision test again.

If he does admit to abnormal color vision and attempts to, or does acquires a SODA - that is a whole other thing.

Sorry if I read it wrong.

 

[some_dude]

The problem with getting a SODA is the time involved. The test itself is a no-brainer, but getting the authorization to take the test is the issue.

In order to get the authorization to take the test, an AME has to write you up as failing the color vision test. They will issue a restricted first class medical which does not allow night flying. Then, you have to wait until the FAA in OKC gets this entered into their computer, which can take weeks. Once that is done, the FSDO can get authorization to give you the SODA test and at that point you're set. If I remember correctly, they issued the SODA on the spot.

At least, that's how it worked a few years ago.

 

[smellthejeta]

As far as the different vision tests go...

Mine problem isn't the color, it's the basic correction I have trouble with. I have a very difficult time distinguishing between any "mostly round" letters, like O's, C's, G's, etc. I had one AME administer a vision test that had 3/4 circles, and you had to tell the tech which segment of the circle was removed. Hah! I was told later that given an unsat on that, I should have been administered a wall chart.

As far as aviation medicine.com is concerned...

A simple question will cost you $40 to have answered. A "records review' (whatever that means) costs $400. The costs go up from there. IIRC, the most expensive thing I've seen ran $2,000 -- if you wanted them to fight and get a couple of waivers for a couple of really complicated medical issues done.

 

[JSky26]

If he passes the Farnsworth he does NOT get a SODA. He will be considered to have normal color vision. The Farnsworth I think quite frankly is a much more applicable way to test for color vision for aviation standards than the color plates. All he would need then is to get that recognized by the FAA with a Letter of Competence.

I was lucky to have a Farnsworth testing site in my home town of Chicago. At the Illinois College of Optometry, there is a color vision expert there by the name of Dr. David Lee. If you would like more info let me know...

 

[starcheckdriver]

I paid the $40 and spoke with the guys at aviationmedicine.com They told me that next time I go to the FAA doc and pass the vision test, he can submit a letter to OK City stating that I passed the test, provide the detailed results and then request that I receive a Letter of Competence. This letter will allow me to skip the color vision test on subsequent visits.