I had this issue when I went to get my student pilot certificate 5 and 1/2 years ago. Being that it was my dream to fly commercially at the time, if I couldn't fly at night, there was no point to learning to fly (BS I know now). As I remember it, my AME gave me a number to call to schedule a light test. I scheduled it with an AME, I am guessing he was with the local FSDO, but I don't remember who he was with. I called the tower where I would be taking the test, to set up an appointment beforehand so I could see what the lights actually looked like. (I hadn't seen them before). The Tower was great, gave me a tour etc. Fortunately, it was an overcast day so it made it easier to see the lights.

The doctor took me outside, the tower flashed the lights at me, I told him what they were, then I got a letter exempting me from any future color vision testing. Odly enough, I don't think it is a SODA (Statement Of Demonstrated Ability). I think it says that a statement of demonstrated ability is not necessary or something like that. Not sure why that is.

Anyway, that's the process as I went through it.

P.S. I thought that color vision problems kept you out of towered airports as well as flying at night.

Good luck!

This is absolutely true in that once you decide to take the light gun test administered by the FSDO, you can only try it twice, AND you can't go back to taking one of the other FAA approve color tests. In other words, two strikes and your flight limitations (no night flight) become permanent.

However, before you go this route, you can try any approved color test administered by an AME or your local eye doctor, and you can do that as many times as you want until you can prove it just once. Then you're good to go. Make sure you exhaust all of your options around this before going to the light gun test, or go get an "unofficial" or "off the record" test with your local tower to make sure you can pass it.

More info here:
http://www.leftseat.com/baggish.htm

Another tip....

The human eye is susceptable to bleaching of the cones of your retina after extended exposure to bright light, reducing color sensitivity.

I know a guy who was not color blind who busted his FAA 1st after flying all day without sun glasses. Two days later he passed ok.

Prior to testing (make sure to do it in morning), wear dark glasses :cool:the day before. Keep your eyes well shaded at least one day before the exam. This technique may push you enough over the threshold to pass the exam:D.


Happy flying,


Bob

There are a few other things to do. Make sure that if you view the Ishihara (sp?) book it is done under a pure white light (mercury lamp I think). If a regulat neon strip light is used it is not pure white light so will corrupt the colors you see. Try to find out from a non colorblind person what the numbers are on the Ishi circles.

For me the white and green on the lantern test look similar unless you are 'in tune', the green is often a very light green so may look a little dirty - don't ignore that subtle difference. Make sure they show you all the colors of the lantern at the start of the test.

Good luck, if you have any issues join AOPA and contact their medical team.

Pete

Practice helps
 

My color vision is also weak, so I'm always sweating passing the color test.

I bought a pdf copy of the Ishihara test book on eBay for a few dollars. The book included the answer sheet. I found that when I knew what to look for, it was much easier to see the numbers. I didn't try to memorize the book but I did find that practice helped when it came time to take the real test.

Sub spotter
 

Your in good company. My grandfather was colorblind. They found that he could spot subs better in the navy, so that is what he did in WWII. Retired a Commander, did not make Rear Admiral because he didn't have enough sea time, spent too much time flying.

Another test not mentioned before....
 

Like many others, I am colour-*deficient*.

When I finally screwed up enough courage to address this problem, I was told that I could take a 'farnsworth G-15' test at the medical examiner's office, which consisted of placing 15 subtly (is that a word?) shaded checker tiles in the correct order. This I was able to do correctly... twice, as required. If I had failed the G-15 test, the lantern test would have been the last alternative.

I live in Canada; I speculate that the G-15 test is available in the USofA.