How hard is the FALANT test?

[Robbie]

Hello,

I am 15 years old and slightly colorblind when it comes to those Ishihara plate tests, but some of them I can get. I think I can pass the FALANT/Optec 900 test. How hard is the FALANT/Optec 900 test? I want to be a naval aviator. I live in Southern California and was wondering if I can go somewhere to get tested and take the FALANT test? Let me know if you have any info! Thanks

 

[MikeMillerUK]

FALANT is very easy. It uses actual lights on a little lantern, and you have to call out what color you see. I think it shows red, white, and green. Super easy; if you can differentiate colors at a traffic light, you'll probably be okay. Granted, this was my personal experience with the test, so take it with a grain of salt. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Robbie]

I just hope I can pass. It has been my lifetime goal to fly for a long time and to lose it for a simple thing like this will be very very disappointing, and I can differentiate traffic lights pretty easily haha

 

[armada1651]

I don't know if it's really a question of easy or hard, but there are many Naval Aviators who can pass the the FALANT but not the PIP, myself included. I also think the FALANT is more representative of the type of color differentiation required to safely fly. Why the Air Force insists on the plates, I don't know.

 

[ltedge46]

Same here, blue/green hue colorblind so I usually pass about 70% of the plates but ace the Falant. 2 small dots of light on top of each other and you call out the colors (red-white, green-red, white-white etc)

 

[jcj]

Here's some more information on the Farnsworth (FALANT) lantern test. I don't know if there is a simulation online. Some AME's (civilian flight surgeons) have them in their office. The Air Force is moving to a test (can't remember name) that's even more stringent than the PIP test.

 

[LFCFan]

It's incredibly easy (and I can't pass the Ishihara plates). To be frank, if you can't pass the FALANT, you probably wouldn't be confused by a green santa claus, assuming that you have a red-green deficiency.

Here's some more information on the Farnsworth (FALANT) lantern test. I don't know if there is a simulation online. Some AME's (civilian flight surgeons) have them in their office. The Air Force is moving to a test (can't remember name) that's even more stringent than the PIP test.

The cone contrast test. And I've heard it is a pain.