Color Troubles

[The Warden]

Hello! Just found out about this site today. Looks cool so far!

I was talking to a person, who said that her son's interested in flying. Problem is, he's colorblind. She didn't say how bad it was. I looked through FAR part 67 and found out that you need enough colorsight to be able to distinguish certain colors (not a suprise). Any medical guys out there who can say what colors exactly is the minimum requirement? Also, are there any corrective procedures to fix colorblindness? The child's pretty young at the moment, so it's probably early enough to do just about anything.

Thanks in advance!

Also...this is for me. Besides intervals, what are the major differences between a 3rd class medical certificate and a 1st class? I venture to guess they're more stringent, but just how much so?

Again, thanks...

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The Warden

aspiring pilot with 19 hours and no more money

The student pilot network has a medical forum where you could also post this question.
http://www.studentpilot.net/

[wxwatcher]

Warden,

Email your question to 9-awp-oak-web@faa.gov

That's the email address for the Oakland AIFSS web site. If they don't know the answer, they research it within FAA sources and get one for you.

Good luck..

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Comments and opinions are my own and do not reflect those of my employer.

[SeaAir]

I am not a medical person, but I can give you a few thoughts on colorblindness and flying. I, like 5% of all males (but virtually no females), have some colorblindness. This was discovered during an FAA physical where they show you the standard color circles and you have to pick the number hidden in the colors. I get 80-90% correct, but the 10-20% I can't see correctly required that I obtain a Demonstrated Ability Waiver for color before I could fly at night. For the waiver they stand you at the edge of the airport and shine the light signals at you (in no particular order) from the tower. You have to correctly identify the color of the lights to pass.

There are no cures/corrections for colorblindness - it is a genetic fault. Most people are not so affected that it makes much difference in their everyday life, but it is important to be able to see the colors of the lights when flying an airplane.