More Change at FAA medical

bbchien

bbchien

Touchdown! Greaser!
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Bruce C
And it’s not liberalizing in the least:

FAA announced at a grand rounds that eff. 1 Jan, if not everything that the FAA needs to approve the airman is present, they will issue a denial early. No more “please within 60 days send……”. It will be followed with a “for further consideration” letter. This locks the airman’s file for any issuance in the field.

Also after Jan 1, the color dots, & the farnsworth lantern will be gone. Vision screening for new applicants or upgrade applicants will be via a subscription internet service and the only thing we can issue after a fail is 3rd Class not valid for IFR or flight at night”. AMEs will have to pay for these subscriptions and so…the cost of a medical goes up….

This will be published in the AME Guide, at the very end of Dec.

And so it goes…..

B
 
Avweb says:

Beginning January 1, 2025, the FAA will require all applicants for an initial airman medical certificate to test for color vision deficiencies using the new program. Pilots who have held a medical certificate will not need to retest unless they want a color vision restriction on their certificate removed, develop a medical condition or are taking medication that affects color vision.”


So, this is only for first time applicants (for the most part?)
 
Hey all, big changes to the color vision testing policy. I wrote a blog post on the topic that can be found here.

For those who never leave PoA, here are the bullet points:


* All previous paper and non-digital color vision testing will NO LONGER be permitted.

* All color vision testing will be replaced by 'modern digital testing equipment'.

* Testing will screen for both traditional red/green color deficiency as well as the less common yellow/blue color deficiency.

* Any current pilot with a color vision restriction MUST take one of the new digital tests.

- If they pass, the restriction will be removed


* Airmen with existing medical certificates are NOT required to undergo additional color vision testing unless:

- Develop a medical condition associated with acquired color vision loss

- Taking a medication known to cause color vision changes (Accutane)

‍
* NO PLANS to adjust air traffic controller color vision standards (not that you guys care lol)
 
I think the other impact, not in your post, is that if you want to upgrade your medical, the new test is required - e.g. Class 3 to 2 or 1.
 
ateamer said:
Have there been crashes due to impaired color vision? If so, would using expensive online testing have detected it versus existing tests? If not, then why change?
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there you go, thinking logically....haven't you learned by now that this is not how the world works?!?
 
"Click on at least three red items in the displayed image . . ."
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Rene said:
"Click on at least three red items in the displayed image . . ."
View attachment 135926
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My wife would look at a test for “red” and be stumped because one was more mauve than red, and another was sorta pomegranate colored, and another, while red, was the red usually associated with a ripened Red Delicious Apple but with a hint more yellow, and .......
 
What is the benefit of #1 for the FAA? Isn’t it ultimately the same amount of work between that and eventually getting the information later? That does not seem beneficial to applicants at all and makes more that will have to check the “have you ever been denied” box. Wouldn’t that actually put more work on their plate when they have to review more cases now?
 
Half Fast said:
My wife would look at a test for “red” and be stumped because one was more mauve than red, and another was sorta pomegranate colored, and another, while red, was the red usually associated with a ripened Red Delicious Apple but with a hint more yellow, and .......
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Going to the paint store must be pure torture!
 
ateamer said:
Have there been crashes due to impaired color vision? If so, would using expensive online testing have detected it versus existing tests? If not, then why change?
Click to expand...
What you imply is factually true. The number of mishaps related to color vision testing is incredibly low, which is why the FAA is doing the 'grandfathering' of those who are already certified. But the number of crashes due to color vision deficiency is not zero. See FAA FAQ's from last night:

Q: Why is the FAA doing this?

A: There has been an open NTSB recommendation recommending enhanced color vision following a FedEx accident in Tallahassee, Florida, in 2002. The NTSB found the First Officer had a color vision deficiency and may have misinterpreted runway approach lighting indicators. The NTSB felt the FAA color vision testing devices did not adequately detect color vision deficiencies and were subject to cheating by the applicant.

Q: Why isn’t the FAA requiring color vision testing for all airmen with existing medical certificates?

A: The improvements in modern digital testing equipment will enable the FAA to identify color vision deficiencies more effectively during an airman’s initial application. The risk ofacquired color vision deficiency is less than one percent and is associated with medical conditions or medications. In 22 years, there has been only one mishap where color vision was listed as a contributing factor.

My blog post linked above has all of the FAQ's....
 
Sierra1 said:
What is the benefit of #1 for the FAA? Isn’t it ultimately the same amount of work between that and eventually getting the information later? That does not seem beneficial to applicants at all and makes more that will have to check the “have you ever been denied” box. Wouldn’t that actually put more work on their plate when they have to review more cases now?
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It clears the stack of folders on the desk awaiting review and closes the file. That stack that sits there because the person is on two weeks paid vacation and no-one else will move the stack to their desk.
 
bbchien said:
And it’s not liberalizing in the least:

FAA announced at a grand rounds that eff. 1 Jan, if not everything that the FAA needs to approve the airman is present, they will issue a denial early. No more “please within 60 days send……”. It will be followed with a “for further consideration” letter. This locks the airman’s file for any issuance in the field.

Also after Jan 1, the color dots, & the farnsworth lantern will be gone. Vision screening for new applicants or upgrade applicants will be via a subscription internet service and the only thing we can issue after a fail is 3rd Class not valid for IFR or flight at night”. AMEs will have to pay for these subscriptions and so…the cost of a medical goes up….

This will be published in the AME Guide, at the very end of Dec.

And so it goes…..

B
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New Applicants and Upgrade applicants... Is every two year medical review and issue now a "new applicant"?
I always got the Class II, and now that it is no longer needed, I get the Class II, let it down grade to Class III and then at renewal 24 months later, get a Class II.
Maybe it is time to go Basic Med. My AME asked me about that at my last visit.
 
I think that just sealed the deal on me ever getting another FAA medical, not that I was planning to any time soon anyways.
 
Looks like Dr. Waggoner is about to get paid! I got to play guinea pig on the prototype of his iPad-based system some years back, in exchange from some stories of Vietnam flying. Awesome guy. I recall that the testing was more challenging than the Ishihara plates and got pretty subtle at some points. Will definitely identify marginal cases if my experience is any indication.
 
GoFlightMed said:
What you imply is factually true. The number of mishaps related to color vision testing is incredibly low, which is why the FAA is doing the 'grandfathering' of those who are already certified. But the number of crashes due to color vision deficiency is not zero. See FAA FAQ's from last night:

Q: Why is the FAA doing this?

A: There has been an open NTSB recommendation recommending enhanced color vision following a FedEx accident in Tallahassee, Florida, in 2002.
Click to expand...

Isn't that the one they blamed on Viagra? I don't see how this onerous test is going to fix that.
 
So my understanding is that if you had a 1st class medical without restrictions at any point (even if it has since lapsed for 1st class privileges) you will never need to test for color vision again at future medicals (well unless the FAA changes their testing/policy again in the future). Is that correct? Or if that class 1 lapses and is then just used for class 3 privileges would going for a class 1 again years later be considered an “upgrade” and require color vision testing again?
 
Half Fast said:
My wife would look at a test for “red” and be stumped because one was more mauve than red, and another was sorta pomegranate colored, and another, while red, was the red usually associated with a ripened Red Delicious Apple but with a hint more yellow, and .......
Click to expand...
I visited my cousin for a few days when he happened to be getting some remodeling done. Every day we’d walk into the house, he’d look at the living room wall, and say, “they painted it the wrong color again!” We’d walk over to the wall with the paint samples on it, and he’d say, “it’s supposed to be this one, and they painted it this color.”

I couldn’t tell the difference with the two samples right next to each other.
 
MauleSkinner said:
I visited my cousin for a few days when he happened to be getting some remodeling done. Every day we’d walk into the house, he’d look at the living room wall, and say, “they painted it the wrong color again!” We’d walk over to the wall with the paint samples on it, and he’d say, “it’s supposed to be this one, and they painted it this color.”

I couldn’t tell the difference with the two samples right next to each other.
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We had our bathrooms remodeled and it was the same thing with my wife and me at the paint store. She sees a whole bunch of different shades. I see one. Close enough, let’s get it done. It’s just a bathroom.
 
I’m a bit confused about what you said here.

So if I apply for a medical and get deferred, the FAA will deny my medical application, but include a list of things they’d need for “further consideration”? Also, what do you mean by “This locks the airman’s file for any issuance in the field.”? That part doesn’t sound much different because a deferred file isn’t getting certified anyway until the FAA says it is.
 
FlyingBiscuit said:
I’m a bit confused about what you said here.

So if I apply for a medical and get deferred, the FAA will deny my medical application, but include a list of things they’d need for “further consideration”? Also, what do you mean by “This locks the airman’s file for any issuance in the field.”? That part doesn’t sound much different because a deferred file isn’t getting certified anyway until the FAA says it is.
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When I got my SI, I walked out with an AME-issued medical in hand, and was told by the AME to expect a letter from the FAA requesting add'l documentation. A few weeks later, I got the expected letter, with the verbiage that "if not received in xx days, your medical is" revoked/not valid/whatever the word was.

So the change sounds like for some cases like mine where the AME was allowed to issue a medical knowing some follow-up paperwork would be required, that ability to issue is being rescinded. Now, the medical will not be issued until the additional data is provided and reviewed. In my case, had this new policy been in effect back then, it would have taken another ~2-3 months to get my medical, and I would have been grounded while I waited.
 
AchillesLastStand said:
So more deferrals? That sounds efficient.
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I don't think it changes the amount of work for the FAA, so from an FAA efficiency standpoint there's no change--the additional documentation and review is required either way. The difference is just a more conservative posture of "no medical until your documentation is reviewed" rather than a more liberal posture of "we'll give you the benefit of the doubt and grant your medical today under the assumption that your documentation review will be favorable."
 
Jim_R said:
When I got my SI, I walked out with an AME-issued medical in hand, and was told by the AME to expect a letter from the FAA requesting add'l documentation. A few weeks later, I got the expected letter, with the verbiage that "if not received in xx days, your medical is" revoked/not valid/whatever the word was.

So the change sounds like for some cases like mine where the AME was allowed to issue a medical knowing some follow-up paperwork would be required, that ability to issue is being rescinded. Now, the medical will not be issued until the additional data is provided and reviewed. In my case, had this new policy been in effect back then, it would have taken another ~2-3 months to get my medical, and I would have been grounded while I waited.
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Interesting. I’ve never heard of this before. When I applied, I simply got deferred with no medical.
 
Sierra1 said:
It gets them off a desk and denied it appears at the expense of the airman. That doesn’t seem to be a great trade.
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From what I read, this isn’t that different from a failure to provide letter. I’ve had multiple people tell me these are fairly routine (since airmen often can’t get all the docs in 60 days). It just clears the queue so the FAA focuses on applications that have documentation. Might actually increase efficiency.
 
dans2992 said:
Avweb says:

Beginning January 1, 2025, the FAA will require all applicants for an initial airman medical certificate to test for color vision deficiencies using the new program. Pilots who have held a medical certificate will not need to retest unless they want a color vision restriction on their certificate removed, develop a medical condition or are taking medication that affects color vision.”


So, this is only for first time applicants (for the most part?)
Click to expand...
or for third class airmen who want a first class or second class!
 
Last edited:
BillTIZ said:
It clears the stack of folders on the desk awaiting review and closes the file. That stack that sits there because the person is on two weeks paid vacation and no-one else will move the stack to their desk.
Click to expand...
It gets them off a desk and denied it appears at the expense of the airman. That doesn’t seem to be a great trade.
 
Jim_R said:
When I got my SI, I walked out with an AME-issued medical in hand, and was told by the AME to expect a letter from the FAA requesting add'l documentation. A few weeks later, I got the expected letter, with the verbiage that "if not received in xx days, your medical is" revoked/not valid/whatever the word was.

So the change sounds like for some cases like mine where the AME was allowed to issue a medical knowing some follow-up paperwork would be required, that ability to issue is being rescinded. Now, the medical will not be issued until the additional data is provided and reviewed. In my case, had this new policy been in effect back then, it would have taken another ~2-3 months to get my medical, and I would have been grounded while I waited.
Click to expand...

How long between the request and then grating the medical with the info?
 
FlyingBiscuit said:
Interesting. I’ve never heard of this before. When I applied, I simply got deferred with no medical.
Click to expand...
Some conditions allow the AME to issue, with the applicant having some follow-up with OK City to confirm everything's good. Some conditions do not allow the AME to issue, and then it's up to OK City to make the decision.
 
The faa doesn’t have a good track record with changes…

Had to rethink their 3 yr registration debacle.

Had to rethink their lifetime HIMS debacle.

Had to rethink their SSRI posture.

Their 1500 hr part 121 project aint doing great.

There are more.

They just aren’t very, uh, how do you put it… good.
 
bbchien said:
Also after Jan 1, the color dots, & the farnsworth lantern will be gone. Vision screening for new applicants or upgrade applicants will be via a subscription internet service and the only thing we can issue after a fail is 3rd Class not valid for IFR or flight at night”. AMEs will have to pay for these subscriptions and so…the cost of a medical goes up….


B
Click to expand...
Any idea why the change?

FAA thinks AME's are passing candidates without testing them?
Numerous accidents/incidents driven by undiagnosed color blindness?
Someone in the FAA's brother-in-law owns the franchise for the testing equipment?
 
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