Private pilot licence but color blind. Possible or not ?

Question

I would like to try to obtain a private pilot licence but I am color blind (protonopia to be exact). Is it possible or I should bury this idea deeply ?

Answer 1

yes it is very possible. If it's something you really want to do then go for it. You can still fly with a colorblindness, but there are certain restrictions depending on the type you have. An example is that you can't fly between 7:00 pm and 7:00 am.

Before you start, i would recommend going to get a third class medical exam (which you need to have before you get your license anyway). This way, you know before getting yourself into something what you can and cannot do.  

Answer 2

I take it you are located in the US, from memory here in NZ you can obtain a pilot's licence with a certain degree of color blindness, however you may be restricted to flying during the daytime only.

If you contact your local aero club or flying school they will be able to put you in contact with a certified aviation medical examiner (AME) who can give you more details. If you are really keen to fly then this problem should not stop you from doing so in one way or other.

Flying an airplane is an absolutely fantastic experience - don't let any doubts get in the way of giving it a go! Hope this helps.

Answer 3

it is one hundred percent possible. If you are able to pass a tower light test, get an appointment after your medical exam to go and have a control tower flash their red green and white lights at you, which they can use during a communication failure, and if you are able to tell the difference you can fly at night or in conditions that would require light signals, even if you have failed other tests.

If you are not able to pass color tests then you are completely allowed to fly during the day.

Answer 4

The FAA's requirements for color vision read that a pilot must demonstrate the "Ability to perceive those colors necessary for safe performance of airmen duties."

Unfortunately for more than 1/100 Americans, the specific colors required are red and green.   In the event of a radio failure, a pilot needs to be able to perceive light gun signals from the control tower.  These light signals consist of red and green lights.

Now, depending on the severity of your colorblindness, you may be able to get a waiver and still get an FAA Medical certificate.

If you fail the standard color blindness tests administered by doctors (the dot tests) you can still take a practical test (which is much easier to pass).  

If you find a local doctor or optometrist who is licensed for FAA Medical exams, they can often administer the "light gun" test.   In this test, you will be shown a series of light signals that are the same colors as the light guns used in the control tower.   If you are able to differentiate between light gun green and light gun red, you can still receive an FAA medical certificate.  

Before you give up hope in piloting, find a local doctor and ask for the light gun test.  If you find that you are able to pass that test, you should be free to pursue your private pilot's license without problems.

Answer 5

You can fly if you're color blind as long as you can get a "certificate of demonstrated ability."

Answer 6

If its something you really want to do, then there must be a way around it

Answer 7

What Kevin is saying is saying is mostly correct.

What you need to do is have the FAA (not the Aviation Medical Examiner (AME)) issue you a SODA (statement of demonstrated ability).  You may go to the AME first, but he/she will just send you right back to the FAA. Here is the FAA link to all the SODA mumbo jumbo

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

The FAA will then meet you at an airport (generally the closest airport where they have a FSDO (Flight Standards District Offices) or other office.  At that time you will have to identify the Red and Green lights that come from the tower. (Im sure you know, but the tower has a giant spot light with red and green filters that is used to communicate with pilots in the event of radio failure) If you are determined to not have red/green color blindness or that your red/green color blindness is mild enough that it does not hinder your interpretation of the light gun signals than the FAA will issue you a SODA.  

For the best information I recommend calling the office of your local AME, they will really be able to help you out.

http://www.faa.gov/pilots/amelocator/