I want to be a pilot but I am deuteranomaly colorblind...heard of a solution?

Question

Im deuteranomaly colorblind and ive heard about these contacts called X-chrome contact lenses that supposubly have a red tint in them that help colorblind people see better. Ive heard about red helping you see better so I held a red lens to my eye and looked out of it and I could see the numbers I had trouble seeing. Has anybody heard of these contacts or even used them? Also have you or somebody you know used these contacts and tryed to be a pilot and did they get denied or did they pass the examination? I would like to know anything youve heard about this.

Answer 1

nope never heard of it but dont let something as small as color blindness kill your dream

Answer 2

hey man,

i'm color deficient too...but currently i hold a ppl....i insisted on pursuing the license cause i really cant imagine myself doing anything else besides being a pilot...so now i'm thinking of getting my cpl in states..but it will still be the same thing cause when you come back to your country you would still have to convert your license to your homelands' CPL/IR or  ATP...unless if you could manage to contact your local aviation authority(which i have tried and failed) and ask them about other tests that are recognized that are being used in other countries such as farnsworth lantern and a dozen more then that would be good...cause most color deficient pilots did their eye test in gatwick and in zurich..i'm not sure the exact location but you could definitely find it online..most of them passed with flying colors...hehe..and about the lenses,you could get it from dr thomas azman in states but you can't use it to do your medical test and u are also prohibited to use it while flying because apparently it affects your other colors too..i hope you would do more research on this thing and PLEASE dont let something stupid as being a color deficient deprive you from pursuing your dreams...if you have any info about this thing please let me know..cheers

Answer 3

If you just want to fly an airplane, you should check out the sport pilot's option. Your state issued driver's license is your medical certificate.  If you are denied a medical certificate by an AME, you cannot fly as a sport pilot unless it is resolved.  Check out the website below for more information.

Also, the EAA provides assistance to pilots with medical issues for members.

All the flight time you acquire as a sport pilot can be used for higher certificates.

Answer 4

I would contact the FAA and let them know of your condition.  Although I don't know of any personally, I'll bet there are a few colorblind pilots out there.  I don't think it will hold you back.  You could also contact a local doctor who does flight physicals, and maybe they could help you as well.  Good luck.

Answer 5

The FAA does not allow X-chrome lenses (yet):

http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/head...

(Part D, scroll down)

Certain colorblind conditions are allowed by the FAA. When my husband was a CFI he tested a student who was colorblind. The student had a prove to him that he could tell the difference between the runway lights, taxiway lights, light gun signals, instrumentation colors, and aeronautical chart color codes. He was then issued a "special issuance" and allowed to continue his training.