Expert: D. Norkus - 2/15/2006

Question
Hello. I am 16 and am considering a career in aviation. Unfortunately, though, I am colorblind. Do  you know what I would have to do in order to get a first-class waiver (what kind of test)? Also, would I be considered for being hired as a pilot by a major airline if I have this waiver? thanks.

Michael

Answer
Michael

The vision requirements of Federal Aviation Regulation 67.103 state eye standards for a first-class airman medical certificate (required for airline employment) include the "ability to perceive those colors necessary for the safe performance of airman duties."

When the applicant has a defect in color vision, they must demonstrate the following abilities (from the FAA):

(1) All applicants must demonstrate the ability to read aeronautical charts for print that appears in various
sizes, colors, and typefaces; for conventional markings in
several colors; and for discrimination of terrain colors at a distance of 16 inches for both day and night conditions.

(2) All applicants must demonstrate the ability to read aviation instruments, particularly those with colored
limitation marks and colored instrument panel lights,
especially marker beacon lights and warning lights.

(3) All applicants must demonstrate the ability to recognize terrain and obstructions. When appropriate to the aircraft being used, the applicant must be able to select several
emergency landing fields, preferably having marginal conditions, and describe their surfaces, such as sod, stubble, plowed, roll or pitch. The applicant must also describe how these conclusions were determined. Further, the
applicant must identify obstructions such as ditches,
fences, terraces, low spots, rocks, stumps, and indicate
any gray, tan, or brown objects that appear in green fields.

(4) For first-class medical certificates, applicants with defective color vision must be tested at twilight or at night. The test for a first-class medical certificate is much more comprehensive than the tests for second- and third-class medical certificates. In addition to the above exercises, the applicants for a first-class medical certificate must demonstrate the ability to see the following objects:
• Colored lights of other aircraft in the vicinity
• Runway approach lights
• Airport boundary lights
• Taxiway lights
• Red warning lights on such areas as TV towers,
high buildings, or stacks
• Conventional signal lights from the control tower
• All color signal lights normally used in air traffic
control (ATC)

(5) AAM-300 usually requires that applicants who have defective color vision take the signal light test (SLT) to obtain second- and third-class medical certificates.
If possible, the test should be given at twilight to test the applicant under both daylight and night conditions.
Under such special arrangements, the night-time portion of the test may include tests other than those described, such as identification of aircraft, runway, threshold, and taxiway lights. Applicants who are able to identify colors at night may have the night-time restriction removed. This test may be accomplished at the FSDO, if the FSDO is able to provide both an aviation signal light (hand-gun type) and an employee to work as a light operator. Alternatively, the applicant may use the nearest ATC tower which has a tower signal light or hand-gun signal light. The signal light operator should be asked to shine the light steadily for a period of 5 seconds for each color, green, red, and white, as randomly directed by the inspector.

If you can pass the test, that results in the issuance of a waiver, or Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA) on your airman medical certiticate. You may very well be able to hold a Third Class required for private pilot operations but if you can't pass a First Class medical, you cannot be hired at an airline.

I suggest contacting your nearest Aviation Medical Examiner and inquiring about the test and getting an appointment to take it. This way you will have no doubt as to what level of airman medical you can hold. Go here to find your nearest AME- http://www.faa.gov/pilots/amelocator/

Good luck

Dottie
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