Singel09 From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 140 posts, RR: 0 Posted (8 years 1 week 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 2463 times:
A friend of mine has been flying the with KLM for 9 years, recently on the MD-11. He is colourblind. Now, since KLM merged with Air France, both airlines share policy. Appearently, colourblindness is not allowed with Air France, so he is told hat he will not be flying long anymore, eg, fired.
Is that possible at all?
What are the rules for colour blindness with other airlines?
FutureUApilot From United States of America, joined May 2004, 1365 posts, RR: 4 Reply 1, posted (8 years 1 week 6 days 7 hours ago) and read 2422 times:
I have a friend at my highschool that is color blind, luckly, when it comes to Aviation, he's as dumb as a dead bat, so I don't think we really need to worry about his future... I don't think it should matter if your color blind or not, most people can still tell the Runway from the grass.
Geoffm From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2004, 2111 posts, RR: 7 Reply 2, posted (8 years 1 week 6 days 7 hours ago) and read 2417 times:
Quoting FutureUApilot (Reply 1): I don't think it should matter if your color blind or no
Without knowing what sort of colour blindness, and assuming red/green (the most common colour blindness)... So are the wheels locked down (green) or not (red)? Are those red and green lights in the distance a plane going away from us or toward us? I guess no, it doesn't matter!
CosmicCruiser From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 2212 posts, RR: 16 Reply 4, posted (8 years 1 week 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 2405 times:
Quoting Geoffm (Reply 2): Without knowing what sort of colour blindness, and assuming red/green (the most common colour blindness)... So are the wheels locked down (green) or not (red)? Are those red and green lights in the distance a plane going away from us or toward us? I guess no, it doesn't matter!
Correctomundo, Every FAA flight physical I've ever had has included a color blind test. Watch for the results of the FEDEX crash at TLH and you'll find the f/o had some colorblindness which possibly affected him seeing the VASI. There are varied degrees and that's why the FAA medical includes blues, oranges and greens.
N766UA From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 7992 posts, RR: 27 Reply 7, posted (8 years 1 week 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 2299 times:
I'm red green color blind. I'm a private pilot and I hold a 3rd class medical. I can easily distinguish aviation green/white/red/amber... it's more colors like purple I have trouble with (can't see the red in it.. looks like blue). Thus, I can get a SODA if I need to in order to get a 1st class medical and fly for the airlines. As for actually getting hired, we shall see... but the FAA will let me fly. I guess it all depends on to what degree one is color blind, but it's nowhere near as big a deal here in the US as it used to.
CosmicCruiser From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 2212 posts, RR: 16 Reply 8, posted (8 years 1 week 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 2293 times:
Quoting Glom (Reply 5): The CAA do the test at the initial and then leave it there since colour vision is congenital and therefore doesn't change.
Yea, that's a little of a joke here 'cause if you don't have it you won't get it SO I often make up numbers on the test just to get their attention.LOL
Pihero From France, joined Jan 2005, 3496 posts, RR: 72 Reply 12, posted (8 years 1 week 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 2164 times:
As far as I know,since a pilot gets a class one and therefore keeps his licence valid, no airline has the right to impose a stricter medical requirement than the JAR FCL .
The airline's position would be totally indefensible in court.
Singel09, could you give us more info on that case ?
I personally know of several cases of mild colour blindness who couldn't qualify for class one.
So they got a waiver for class two and went on flying with a private pilot licence...they went up with a CPL, then IR...and due to their experience,got a class one with what the french call a Derogation.
So you see,there's is something smelly in your story.
Regards
Glom From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2005, 2803 posts, RR: 10 Reply 13, posted (8 years 1 week 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 2151 times:
I was thinking that Pihero. I know that airlines have stricter standards for sponsorship programs, but that's because they want to make sure you're worth the investment, hence you should have a long shelf life, but I don't think colour vision should matter since it doesn't change.
As you can see, some degree of "colour blindness " is quite acceptable to the FCL authorities.
Once again, if a pilot with a current licence adheres to this requirements,there is no way an employer could deny hom the job, especially with the experience he's shown.
Pilots' unions wouls have a field day defending him.
LongHauler From Canada, joined Mar 2004, 4281 posts, RR: 36 Reply 15, posted (8 years 1 week 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 2135 times:
I am colour blind, and have been flying transport aircraft for longer than I care to admit! However, to attain the Airline Transport Pilot Licence, I had to undergo a "lantern test". I had to be able to tell a red light from a green light from a white light. I was able, and thus attained the licence.
Perhaps I am not as colour blind as some, as I have heard that some colour blind individuals can NOT tell these colour lights apart.
I was told by the individual performing the test for me at Transport Canada headquarters, that the colour blind "rule" came into effect during war times, so during a dogfight you can tell enemy aircraft from friendly aircraft!!!!
Never gonna grow up, never gonna slow down .... Barefoot Blue Jean Night
CosmicCruiser From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 2212 posts, RR: 16 Reply 16, posted (8 years 1 week 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 2146 times:
Quoting LongHauler (Reply 15): I was told by the individual performing the test for me at Transport Canada headquarters, that the colour blind "rule" came into effect during war times, so during a dogfight you can tell enemy aircraft from friendly aircraft!!!!
Not trying to be picky but for the sake of the conversation that's a good point however most enemy a/c were identified by shape not much colors. However during WW11 there were alot more light signals used thus the importance of good color vision. Good luck to you.
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