Which color vision test is preferred?

"Greg Copeland" wrote in message
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My memory was telling me that Farnsworth Lantern test was preferred to get
a waiver. Since that no longer seems possible, I'm looking for options
here. I read today that a Dvorine or AOC test is preferred. Can anyone
confirm that? Recommend another? Are these tests hard to find? What's
available in the Dallas? Obviously, I'd like to try to shop around some
of these tests without involving the FAA, before I have to use the light
gun test as a last resort.

I do suffer from a mild form of deuteranopia. Is there any statistics on
the number of pilots with this type of color blindness which have
successfully obtained their waiver/exemption? I remember reading, over a
year ago, some document from the FAA which gave some statistics, but I no
longer remember the break out.


Greg




I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV :-)

Actually, my local EAA chapter has had an AME speak a couple of times over
the years, and I recall that this subject has been addresses locally be
others as well. Some years ago, a friend had the same problem and had to
obtain a Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA).

To the best of my knowledge, the FAA's interest in this matter is limited to
your ability to distinguish between the Red, Green, and White of the control
tower light gun signals--no other shades or combinations of those or any
other colors are of interest for this purpose. Good sources of reliable
information should include AOPA, EAA, your friendly local AME and the Safety
Program Managers from your local FSDO--who can be reached informally at any
of the semenars which they host. Of course, the easiest of all might be to
have a local tower controlled shine his light gun your way.

If you are in Southeast Florida, I can refer you to a source. Otherwise,
start with AOPA or EAA (depending on your membership) or look for the next
nearby seminar on http://www.faasafety.gov/SPANS/events.aspx


I hope this helps.

Peter

Peter Dohm wrote:

Actually, my local EAA chapter has had an AME speak a couple of times over
the years, and I recall that this subject has been addresses locally be
others as well. Some years ago, a friend had the same problem and had to
obtain a Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA).

two things: the test that is no longer recognized is the Farnsworth D15,
and not the Farnsworth lantern test -- which as far as I know was not in
the list of tests approved by the FAA (it was however the prefered test
for the British CAA);

that said, I would be curious to know why they no longer use the D15; it
is actually a pretty good test to identify color vision deficiencies, i.e.,
much tougher to pass than the light gun test...

it seems that the FAA nowdays provides a waiver which is not a SODA; or
may be waiver is not the correct term either; what I got is a letter
from the FAA that says I did pass one of the approved tests; i.e.,
if you pass one of the approved alternative tests the FAA considers that
you are as good to go as the folks who passed the standard Ishihara one;
i.e., there is a difference between a SODA and a waiver (I hold both
a SODA and a waiver for two different things :-) -- the SODA I carry
with me along with my medical; the waiver I keep at home and only show
it to the AME when renewing the medical.

of the semenars which they host. Of course, the easiest of all might be
to have a local tower controlled shine his light gun your way.

....but when you do so, bring along a friend who: a) you know for sure
has no color vision deficiency (you'd be surprised), the safer bet is
a female friend (females are far less likely to have color vision
problems); b) someone that you actually do trust not to pull your
leg...; most folks out there can't help themselves from playing tricks
on you if they find out your are color blind and won't call the colors
as they see them (it's dumb, but not unusual...);

what I found surprising (I have a protanomalous vision) is that I have
no problem identifying the red signal, but do confuse the white and
green ones... what helped me a lot was to be able to see what the
'white' signal was supposed to look like and then what the 'green'
one was supposed to look like; I needed qualibration so to speak :-)
then I was able to pass the test. Ideally, find a way to borrow
a light gun... talk nicely to the folks of your local tower or
FSDO, I found they were more than happy to help.

--Sylvain