I'm 28 and from the UK. And last week I failed my CAD test which was heart-breaking as I very much want to be a commercial pilot.
Basically my farther is a pilot for Virgin Atlantic and Iv always wanted in follow in his footsteps career wise.
I have been solo in a glider and racked up many flying hours so I would say I'm no stranger to flying.
I first discovered I was colour blind at 17 when I did my first aviation medical and it was news to me as I had no idea! Like many of you I guess it really doesn't affect you in day to day life, and over the course of my life the only thing I have ever struggled with are the tests themselves!
I find so very frustrating that I'm am being kept out of an awesome career for this simple reason.
I would love to support this association in any way I can as I really want to be able to fly for a living.
I can see there isn't any further update on the EASA review and even if this is positive would the CAA change their regulations?
Im trying not to get my hopes us, but is there light at the end of the tunnel?
Hello everybody! I’m 37, having a Class 2 with VCL but maybe opting for FTE, who demands an EASA Class 2 Medical. (So will see what it will happen…)
In my opinion the “only by day” statement in the Medical 2 is really strong. I’m already in Flight Test with graphics and my “deutanism” is not noticeable
Great to have such place to see in which direction the discussion is going in Europe. I have the feeling that an Operational Test will be great for me, for example.
Hello everybody! I am 30 years old in the middle of a TR for a B737. During the transfer of license for this particular airline in Europe, the Authority of my flight license decided to retest my color vision AFTER they discovered that the AME made comments in my Class 1 Medical Certificate file that I failed Ishihara but passed a Lantern test. What is more stupid in this story is the fact that they issued me a Class 1 Medical, so I continued with my training even paid for a non refundable TR.
They called me at the Aeromedical center to sit for a CAD test which I failed. Now my Class 1 is canceled and I have to also end my career after reaching this point. I am in disbelief at what to do next to be honest and so pissed that other continents developed already more applicable tests for us the color deficient people.
Any input is welcomed, how can I help bringing these people in a Court of law?
Hello thank you for sharing your situation, I am shocked at what has occurred and I will try my best to help you in any way I can. I myself am in a similar situation so I can fully understand and sympathise with this. This is also very similar to what happened in ENAC (Italy) but was overruled by EASA and everyone who passed via lanterns was given grandfather rights. You can view that story in our news section. News | The European Colour Deficient Aircrew Association (ecdaa.com)
In order to help could you please provide some more information on the following:
1.) Which authority issued the class 1 and which authority asked you to sit the CAD test ?
2.) When did you get the class 1 , how long have you had the medical for?
3.) When did you pass the lantern test ? And which lantern test did you pass?
4.) Where did you pass the lantern test?
If you don't feel confident in sharing this information on the forum , do send me an email at ecdaa.info@gmail.com
It would also be great to arrange an online meeting to discuss this further once I have those details.
@Jordan Penning Thank you very much for your reply, I really appreciate it.
The story is like this. In January 2017 I applied for a class 1 medical in Czech Republic, but I failed it due to my color vision deficiency and I got a class 2 medical limited to day time only. When I found out, I was a bit devastated cause I had no idea about my condition.
But then, 3 months after, I went to Italy and they granted me a Class 1 medical after I failed Ishihara, but passed Beyne Lantern test and I was considered Chromatically Safe.
In 2019 I have initiated the transfer to AustroControl for my license and medical because of the CPL and MEP examiner availability ( much faster than CZ)
During this process, a very slow one, they couldn't transfer my medical files to Austria because there was no record of a class 1 medical obtained in Czech Republic as I obtained it in Italy in 2017.
Last year, in 2020 I went for an airline interview and I passed it. After this, they asked me if I am able to pay 30k for the type rating and I took the shoot.
This year I've started the TR, and in order to have the rating on my license, I had to transfer it to Ireland and by doing so, I've signed the end of my career as a pilot.
When AustroControl obtained the medical files from Italy, they saw that I failed Ishihara but I passed it with a Beyne Lantern test. It was probably suspicious for them as Czech Republic also failed me for a Class 1.
So what they did is to invite me a couple of days ago in Vienna for a CAD test.
I failed that with flying colors if I might say
My TR stopped immediately obviously and now I have to post my medical to AustroControl.
I've lost time, money, energy and a path. Looking for alternatives at the moment and even consider another country where this is acceptable.
@luciann.vasile thank you for explaining the situation in more detail. I think the next step is to have a meeting to discuss this further as the situation seems rather complex. Would you be able to send me your email and availability for an online call to ecdaa.info@gmail.com
My name is João Rosado and i have a slight CVD, when i did the CAD test i got around 6 SNU red deficiency wich meant i could atually be a Pilot, since the tolerance is 12, nevertheless i was not applying for Pilot but for ATC wich was/is my dream but there is no tolerence for any CVD in that field. I really hope that you can bring some change in this industry and change the lives of some of us. If you need anything i will help this great project. Do you have any plans on implementing the same type of tests for the ATCs?Thank you!
Hello Joao. I am really sorry to hear about your situation, thank you for sharing it with us.
It is crazy how restrictive ATC colour vision regulation is atm. It is an area in which ECDAA are looking into, but unfortunately don't know much about, as there hasn't been much research into the colour tasks involved in ATC. Nonetheless, there should always be a practical testing option after the CAD test, regardless of which job it's for, as the CAD is only a lab based test and that cannot determine whether someone can safely perform their role.
Have you tried other testing options, for example, the Nagel Anomaloscope? Failing that have you ever thought of applying as an assistant Air Traffic Controller - I believe this only requires a class 2 medical.
We are always looking for people with ATC knowledge that have CVD to join our panel, if you feel that you could be a good fit and can help us create change please email us at ecdaa.info@gmail.com
@Jordan Penning Hello Jordan, I have atually passed the ishihara test, but it is mandatory to do the anamoloscope or the CAD and prove that you are a normal trichromat. Even the technitian at the anamoloscope test told me that the degree of CVD that i have is not noticeble in the day-to-day actions and it was normal that i didn't even knew about it.. I will send you an email, thank you!
I consider myself very lucky In 1963 a applied for entry into RAF Cranwell passed the selection but failed on the colour vision section of the medical. I was offered a place at Cranwell as a secretarial branch trainee. I declined. After this set back I almost gave up any hope of flying as a career but was encouraged to apply to what was then The College of Air Training at Hamble. By this time I was a gliding instructor. I was up front with Hamble and told them about the colour vision problem. The CGI contacted me by phone and suggested that I go to the RAF Central Medical Board for a commercial medical. I failed the basic colour vision test but they then put me through the "lantern" test an passed me as fit for all civil flying.
I went to Hamble in 1965 and graduated with a CPL (Frozen ATPL) in 1967.
I then flew commercially until 2001 when I retired but still continue to fly light a/c. All this is a a long winded way to say that after the initial latern test I was never tested again.
Good luck to anyone who has this sort of hicup, keep on trying and don't give up!
Thanks Colin for that great story and it sounds like you had an amazing career in the RAF , resilience is definitely key in this industry ! Hopefully we can bring in much more practical flight test for the future testing of CVD pilots.
HI Stuart , I'm very sorry to hear that your CVD has restricted you in achieving your goal to fly in the RAF, but I'm so happy to hear that this has not deterred you in getting your PPL and IR. Your CVD shouldn't restrict you in achieving what you want to be , in fact, it used to be the case that CVD pilots were actually sought after by the RAF as they could see camouflage much better than colour normals. I hope here at ECDAA we can help and create change so you can continue to fly without unnecessary restrictions, there are pilots all over the world with CVD flying safely. It shouldn't be the case that you are discriminated from the same job because of your countries regulation.
The CAA /City uni test you refer about is a majorly flawed and broken test called the CAD. It has so many issues and does not simulate an operational task. It is just a lab-based test like the lanterns. I would argue it is worse the lanterns. The CAD has failed fully qualified commercial pilots ! If you would like to find out more about the CAD test, this is a great article to read, if you look at the research in the useful resource section of the website as well :) 54e2ba_8bf5843731f94fc0b9de87af9eea805d~mv2.jpg (1536×1911) (wixstatic.com)
But at ECDAA we want to introduce a practical flight assessment used by CASA , New Zealand and the FAA called the OCVA which fairly demonstrates a person can fly an aircraft safely, authorities already implement medical flight tests for other conditions, there should be no reason why all authorities cant implement this.
The UK CAA needs to stop using this CAD test as the only test to pass or fail pilots, this is very restrictive, discriminatory and unfair.
We hope this new practical assessment we are trying to introduce will help you achieve what you want to do in your aviation career!
Jordan thanks for responding. I guess the question is whether the CAA are up for a conversation or whether they think this is a done deal. We’ll just have to keep lobbying. :-)
Good evening all. When I was 14 all I wanted to do was fly. I knew I was a bit red/green colourblind but I didn't know that would be a limitation. One day I was at an RAF careers day. It seemed like the world was coming together. I knew I was too tall for fast jets but there was plenty of other interesting things to do in the sky. My grandfather flew Wellingtons and Lancasters during WW2 and it was his passion for aviation that had rubbed off on me... until the moment when the recruitment officer asked about my vision. My sister reminded me recently that I left the event in tears. My dream crushed because of some colored dots on a page.
Fast forward almost 40 years and I've just got my PPL and purchased my own airplane. Next is the IR(R) and then full IR.The more I think about the colour vision requirements for the night rating the less relevant it seems these days. Tools like ADSB and, actually, the instrument rating make perfect colour vision much less important.The old lantern test is deeply flawed which is why the CAA and City University, London came up with a computerised version. This test scores your colour vision on a scale of 1 (normal) to 20 (monochrome) along two axes: Red/Green and Blue/Yellow. A score of 6 or less is required for a night rating. I came out at 1.15 on Blue/Yellow and 7.05 on Red/Green when I did this test last year. So near and yet so far.
Hi Everyone!
I'm 28 and from the UK. And last week I failed my CAD test which was heart-breaking as I very much want to be a commercial pilot.
Basically my farther is a pilot for Virgin Atlantic and Iv always wanted in follow in his footsteps career wise.
I have been solo in a glider and racked up many flying hours so I would say I'm no stranger to flying.
I first discovered I was colour blind at 17 when I did my first aviation medical and it was news to me as I had no idea! Like many of you I guess it really doesn't affect you in day to day life, and over the course of my life the only thing I have ever struggled with are the tests themselves!
I find so very frustrating that I'm am being kept out of an awesome career for this simple reason.
I would love to support this association in any way I can as I really want to be able to fly for a living.
I can see there isn't any further update on the EASA review and even if this is positive would the CAA change their regulations?
Im trying not to get my hopes us, but is there light at the end of the tunnel?
Thank you
Hello everybody! I’m 37, having a Class 2 with VCL but maybe opting for FTE, who demands an EASA Class 2 Medical. (So will see what it will happen…)
In my opinion the “only by day” statement in the Medical 2 is really strong. I’m already in Flight Test with graphics and my “deutanism” is not noticeable
Great to have such place to see in which direction the discussion is going in Europe. I have the feeling that an Operational Test will be great for me, for example.
Best Regards to everybody
Hello everybody! I am 30 years old in the middle of a TR for a B737. During the transfer of license for this particular airline in Europe, the Authority of my flight license decided to retest my color vision AFTER they discovered that the AME made comments in my Class 1 Medical Certificate file that I failed Ishihara but passed a Lantern test. What is more stupid in this story is the fact that they issued me a Class 1 Medical, so I continued with my training even paid for a non refundable TR.
They called me at the Aeromedical center to sit for a CAD test which I failed. Now my Class 1 is canceled and I have to also end my career after reaching this point. I am in disbelief at what to do next to be honest and so pissed that other continents developed already more applicable tests for us the color deficient people.
Any input is welcomed, how can I help bringing these people in a Court of law?
Hello Everyone,
My name is João Rosado and i have a slight CVD, when i did the CAD test i got around 6 SNU red deficiency wich meant i could atually be a Pilot, since the tolerance is 12, nevertheless i was not applying for Pilot but for ATC wich was/is my dream but there is no tolerence for any CVD in that field. I really hope that you can bring some change in this industry and change the lives of some of us. If you need anything i will help this great project. Do you have any plans on implementing the same type of tests for the ATCs? Thank you!
I consider myself very lucky In 1963 a applied for entry into RAF Cranwell passed the selection but failed on the colour vision section of the medical. I was offered a place at Cranwell as a secretarial branch trainee. I declined. After this set back I almost gave up any hope of flying as a career but was encouraged to apply to what was then The College of Air Training at Hamble. By this time I was a gliding instructor. I was up front with Hamble and told them about the colour vision problem. The CGI contacted me by phone and suggested that I go to the RAF Central Medical Board for a commercial medical. I failed the basic colour vision test but they then put me through the "lantern" test an passed me as fit for all civil flying.
I went to Hamble in 1965 and graduated with a CPL (Frozen ATPL) in 1967.
I then flew commercially until 2001 when I retired but still continue to fly light a/c. All this is a a long winded way to say that after the initial latern test I was never tested again.
Good luck to anyone who has this sort of hicup, keep on trying and don't give up!
HI Stuart , I'm very sorry to hear that your CVD has restricted you in achieving your goal to fly in the RAF, but I'm so happy to hear that this has not deterred you in getting your PPL and IR. Your CVD shouldn't restrict you in achieving what you want to be , in fact, it used to be the case that CVD pilots were actually sought after by the RAF as they could see camouflage much better than colour normals. I hope here at ECDAA we can help and create change so you can continue to fly without unnecessary restrictions, there are pilots all over the world with CVD flying safely. It shouldn't be the case that you are discriminated from the same job because of your countries regulation.
The CAA /City uni test you refer about is a majorly flawed and broken test called the CAD. It has so many issues and does not simulate an operational task. It is just a lab-based test like the lanterns. I would argue it is worse the lanterns. The CAD has failed fully qualified commercial pilots ! If you would like to find out more about the CAD test, this is a great article to read, if you look at the research in the useful resource section of the website as well :) 54e2ba_8bf5843731f94fc0b9de87af9eea805d~mv2.jpg (1536×1911) (wixstatic.com)
But at ECDAA we want to introduce a practical flight assessment used by CASA , New Zealand and the FAA called the OCVA which fairly demonstrates a person can fly an aircraft safely, authorities already implement medical flight tests for other conditions, there should be no reason why all authorities cant implement this.
The UK CAA needs to stop using this CAD test as the only test to pass or fail pilots, this is very restrictive, discriminatory and unfair.
We hope this new practical assessment we are trying to introduce will help you achieve what you want to do in your aviation career!
Good evening all. When I was 14 all I wanted to do was fly. I knew I was a bit red/green colourblind but I didn't know that would be a limitation. One day I was at an RAF careers day. It seemed like the world was coming together. I knew I was too tall for fast jets but there was plenty of other interesting things to do in the sky. My grandfather flew Wellingtons and Lancasters during WW2 and it was his passion for aviation that had rubbed off on me... until the moment when the recruitment officer asked about my vision. My sister reminded me recently that I left the event in tears. My dream crushed because of some colored dots on a page.
Fast forward almost 40 years and I've just got my PPL and purchased my own airplane. Next is the IR(R) and then full IR. The more I think about the colour vision requirements for the night rating the less relevant it seems these days. Tools like ADSB and, actually, the instrument rating make perfect colour vision much less important. The old lantern test is deeply flawed which is why the CAA and City University, London came up with a computerised version. This test scores your colour vision on a scale of 1 (normal) to 20 (monochrome) along two axes: Red/Green and Blue/Yellow. A score of 6 or less is required for a night rating. I came out at 1.15 on Blue/Yellow and 7.05 on Red/Green when I did this test last year. So near and yet so far.