"Jono" wrote in message
om...
So basically, what I want to know is, can I pass the lantern test if i
normally fail the ishihara tests? or is it harder to pass? Also is
there anywhere I can get this done publicly...

Yes, it's possible to pass the lantern test if you failed the Ishihara
Plates.

The lantern test, is, however, a complete and utter farce - at least the way
the CAA administers it is.

I wanted to get my "VFR by day only" restriction (imposed due to slight
colour blindness, identified by me failing some of the Ishihara images)
lifted, and thus arranged a lantern test with the CAA at Gatwick. The test
was held in a windowless room, under fluorescent light. A few minutes into
the test I got a combination of red/green wrong, which caused me to fail the
test (you're allowed to confuse red and white or green and white, but not
red and green, for fairly obvious reasons). At this point the test was
terminated and the examiner flatly refused to go any further - despite the
fact I had paid good money for the test. So I only ever got to experience
the lantern test under bright, fluorescent light - never in ambient light,
and never in darkness; and I'm convinced that the fact I was quite tired,
having spent the previous four hours on trains and pounding around London on
the Tube, didn't help.

Since then the CAA has lifted the "VFR" part of my restriction, so I hold an
IMC rating and a "Flights by day only" restriction due to my colour vision
(you can't do a night rating if you can't pass the colour test).

To sum up, then: I am allowed to fly by day, and despite the CAA being of
the opinion that I'm colour blind, this seemingly doesn't matter (presumably
they understand that if my radio conks out, I'm going to have to look at
lights being shone from the tower). But I'm not allowed to fly at night,
despite the CAA having never tested my ability to discern colours in the
dark. (Incidentally, I've had night lessons and I have indeed been able to
distinguish 100% of coloured lights).

So you'll see why I have no faith in the CAA's lantern test.

One thing I will mention, incidentally: have a look on www.pprune.org;
there's a shedload of useful colour vision stuff in the Medical forum there.

I have spoken to my optician and he says that no-one has asked him for
one of those tests for 10 years! he says its only the CAA and some
train companies that do these, and he knows of nowhere that you can
have one done, except at the interview...

There used to be an optician in Cobham, Surrey, that had a lantern box
because the CAA medical department was too busy and so they farmed some
lantern tests out. Sadly, I can't remember their name, but I can't imagine
there are very many opticians in Cobham.

D.