Someone asked the question: "what is a SODA"? It was explained that it stands for Statement of Demonstrated Ability, which is correct. But that doesn't explain what a SODA is.
A S.O.D.A. is an alternate means of testing someone's abilities to satisfy a physiological requirement for an airman's medical certificate. If the pilot can't pass the color vision test at the doctor's office, (as I had trouble doing), the FAA will accept that person's ability to decern different colors via an alternate method, such as by using a light gun signal. All you have to do is to meet an FAA official at the FSDO, have the tower flash the light gun at you, and you tell the FAA official what color the light is, (red, green, or white). Some of us have brains that won't allow us to unscramble those colored dot tests administered at the doctor's office. But if you can tell what color traffic lights are, you will be able to pass the light gun test.
As I understand it, there are also SODAs available for other physiological inabilities, like hearing or visual accuity. If you can demonstrate to the FAA, via alternate testing means, that you can hear and understand a quiet conversation in a quiet room, or read fine print, the FAA will conceed that you can see and/or hear well enough to fly, and thus are entitled to the full privledges of the medical certificate.
QUOTE]What was the alternate test you took and where did you take it? My ME seems kind of disinterested in it all. He's a crabby old dude and he always just tells me not to worry about it. [/QUOTE]
I called the FAA to arrange for the SODA testing. They mailed information to me and directed me to set up the appointment with the local FSDO. I met the FAA official at the FSDO at the appointed date and time. She had a hand held comm with her and notified the tower as to where we were on the field and asked them to flash the light gun at us. We stood 1000' from the tower for one test and then 1500' for a second testing. After the test, the FAA offical handed me a new medical, with the restriction removed. She also handed me a letter from the FAA stating that I had satisfactorilly passed an alternate means of color testing, (this is the SODA). I keep a copy of the SODA in my wallet, along with my license and medical. The original in kept in a file cabinet. It's good for life. From now on, I do not have to take the color accuity test at the ME's office when I go for my medical. When it's time for the color test, I whip out my SODA and we move on to the hearing test.
As for the SODA's effect on employment, I can't comment on that.
