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Red/Green Color Deficiency
- Thread starter kb2012
- Start date
balloonattack
New Member
Go to this link (http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmotc/nami/arwg/Documents/WaiverGuide/Complete_Waiver_Guide.pdf) and CTRL + F "FALANT", and you'll see the new backup to the color plates (as of 31 Dec 16) is "computer based color vision testing." I failed the color plate test at my NAMI Whammy physical before API in August 16, but got given the FALANT, and passed it with no issue. Since I failed the plate test but passed the FALANT test, the doc had me take numerous online color deficiency tests as part of a study to test their accuracy (to see if they would give the same result as the failed color plate test and passed FALANT test: which was that I have a mild color vision deficiency). The numerous computer tests were very accurate according to the doctor... and now I understand why I had to take them.
To the OP: Basically, if you can pass the FALANT, even if you fail the color plate test, the computer test should tell the docs that your color blindness is only mild, and, as in my case, you should be given an automatic waiver and be good to go as an SMA.
To the OP: Basically, if you can pass the FALANT, even if you fail the color plate test, the computer test should tell the docs that your color blindness is only mild, and, as in my case, you should be given an automatic waiver and be good to go as an SMA.
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I took a FALANT this morning as part of my flight physical.
balloonattack
New Member
"The FALANT or Optec 900 may be considered for selective aviators who were designated before 31 December 2016."
-from the link above
I wonder if this excludes SNAs who were given the test before the cutoff date but not designated aviators before then...
-from the link above
I wonder if this excludes SNAs who were given the test before the cutoff date but not designated aviators before then...
balloonattack
New Member
found it: "The FALANT will be phased out eventually from all classes, but those designated and student aviators who have passed the FALANT prior to phase-out will be grandfathered for their career"
-http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmotc/nami/arwg/Documents/WaiverGuide/Complete_Waiver_Guide.pdf
Thank you for that. I didn't find that as I searched through the documents at med.navy.mil.
I'm looking at 12.2 Color Vision Abnormalities, and I see some promising language. I see that it's disqualifying if you cannot pass the color vision tests. PIP test is primary, and if you fail you go to secondary. FALANT is phased out, so that leaves computerized testing. I see for ColorDX (Waggoner) it states "a score of 'normal' or 'mild' color deficiency ... is acceptable for aviation." I also see for the CAD test they have grading criteria (I don't understand how the grading relates to color vision, so I can't comment on this one) and then the Cone Contrast Test, which has a cutoff score of 55 in each eye for each color. I looked up this test online and the 50-70 range is mild color deficiency.
So basically the language they use makes me think that a mild color deficiency is acceptable, they just phased out the FALANT test because it was erroneously passing severely CVD individuals. It seems that they still allow a small degree of CVD, just that it has to be demonstrated by a computerized test instead of FALANT.
However, when I went to my first flight physical back in September, I took a computerized test and the flight surgeon told me that the results showed I had (in his words) "very slight color deficiency". He then told me I could not fly because of it. But wouldn't I still be qualified with a mild color deficiency? Was he just lying to me or was he not entirely familiar with the policy on CVD? I know he's a flight surgeon and it's his job to be familiar with all this, but I'm very confused at this point.
Basically, I am wondering if taking a new flight physical here at Quantico is even worth my time. If they still allow mild CVD, I should be good. If not, then I don't want to waste my or anyone else's time.
So basically the language they use makes me think that a mild color deficiency is acceptable, they just phased out the FALANT test because it was erroneously passing severely CVD individuals. It seems that they still allow a small degree of CVD, just that it has to be demonstrated by a computerized test instead of FALANT.
However, when I went to my first flight physical back in September, I took a computerized test and the flight surgeon told me that the results showed I had (in his words) "very slight color deficiency". He then told me I could not fly because of it. But wouldn't I still be qualified with a mild color deficiency? Was he just lying to me or was he not entirely familiar with the policy on CVD? I know he's a flight surgeon and it's his job to be familiar with all this, but I'm very confused at this point.
Basically, I am wondering if taking a new flight physical here at Quantico is even worth my time. If they still allow mild CVD, I should be good. If not, then I don't want to waste my or anyone else's time.
acta-non-verba
Active Member
Does anyone know how to interpret the following statement from NAMI?
Computerized Tests (validated and approved): a. ColorDX (Waggoner): A score of “normal” or “mild” color vision deficiency in red, green or blue is acceptable for aviation. Tested binocularly (both eyes open). May test monocularly for isolating and tracking acquired color vision defects.
Computerized Tests (validated and approved): a. ColorDX (Waggoner): A score of “normal” or “mild” color vision deficiency in red, green or blue is acceptable for aviation. Tested binocularly (both eyes open). May test monocularly for isolating and tracking acquired color vision defects.
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