Color Vision

[BenW]

Hey everyone, I'm new to this board (and relatively so to aviation as well ) and have a question about waivers for color vision. Does anybody know whether the regionals or majors will look down upon a candidate's application if he or she has had to take a light gun signal test to prove adequate color vision, even though the medical itself is an unrestricted class I medical? Thanks for any info.

-Ben

 

[ivauir]

SWA's standard

Unrestricted class 1. You produce the peice of paper then you meet the minimums for the job. I bet the other airlines are the same. Unrestricted means just that and no one wants a lawsuit.

Best of luck.

 

[BenW]

Thanks for the reply. When you say unrestricted class I, you don't also mean that I can't have a limitation to wear corrective lenses, right? Do you know if there is a minimum uncorrected vision requirement at SWA or others? Thanks again for your time.

Ben

 

[mar]

You'll need a flight test

I'm not trying to be pedantic but the waiver is actually called a Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA).

I hold one for color vision.

If your goal is the airlines you should just apply for the 1st Class and go take the flight test with the Feds.

Otherwise, if you do it like I did, you'll apply for a third class and go look at the light gun signal *and then* years later go up with the Feds at night and look at the pretty lights.

He'll ask you questions like: See that flashing red light over there? What color is it?

I've never had a problem with being rejected from an airline interview--some don't even ask if you hold a SODA.

Good luck.

 

[Brett Hull]

Mar,

Tell us about the flight you had to do with the FAA. When I got mine it was for a 2nd class, and all I had to do was go outside the FSDO and tell the guy what colors they were shooting out the window. A couple years later when I needed a 1st class, I stopped by the FSDO to find out what I needed needed to do to get it changed. He took it from me, told me to wait a minute, and came back with a brand new one with 1st class stamped on it.

Maybe I pulled a fast one on them and got out of taking a flight test!

edited about 3 hours later for poor grammar.

 

[BenW]

Thanks Mar, sounds like after the flight test I should be in good shape. Can I ask another question (yes, I hate my eyes)? Does anyone know if the regionals or majors have uncorrected vision requirements, and if so, what those are? Thanks everyone for your time.

Ben

 

[ivauir]

I don't think any do...

United was the last I remember to have an uncorrected requirement and it was gone when they were last hiring. Yes you can wear glasses at SWA. As long as your vision remains correctable you should have no problems.

 

[BenW]

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to answer all my questions!

Ben

 

[mar]

Cross the T's and dot the I's

Brett--Sounds like you played them pretty well--or maybe I got taken for a ride...I don't know.

I was told a flight test would be reqd for a 1st class SODA. I scheduled an airplane and told the FBO it would be with a Fed...they made sure all the logbooks were up to date and the plane was perfectly legal. Treat it like an actual checkride....

...There was an "oral". He pulled out a sectional and had me identify different airspace and symbols (colors). Then, after dark, we took a 172 out to the practice area, came back, and the whole time he asked me about the lights I saw...obstructions lights, rotating beacons, taxiway, runway, position lights...

...no big deal, but ya gotta do it...or so I thought.

Funny thing about color vision: I never had any idea until I took that stupid test. I can see colors fine, but I can't pass that test.

Good luck.