Aeromedical - Colour Vision testing

Johann.

Hi Guys,

Is there anywhere outside the Mater hospital, that provides a similar testing used in the Aeromedical, outwith the plates test? Based in Dublin too.

Regards,
John

folbotcar

I would have thought most opthomologists would have the same tests and most likely any approved aeromedical examiners. There's a list on the IAA website.

Irish Steve

Are you looking for a renewal, or an initial?

What class medical are you looking for?

It may have changed, I think that an initial Class 1 can only be done at the Mater in Ireland, but it can then be renewed with any Class 1 medical examiner.

folbotcar

Actually another clinic has been approved. Charter medical in Smithfield. Dr Colm Killeen apparently. Offering class 1 initial. The address is on the IAA website. Bit of competition for the Mater.

But the OP was just asking about colour vision. I'm sure all the approved class 2 Doctors could carry out the test.

Irish Steve

Glad to see that there is an alternative to the Mater at last, and Doc Kileen knows his stuff and is a pilot himself, which helps, but the comment still applies, in that I don't think they check for colour blindness on renewals, it's an initial issue thing, which is restricted to specific service providers (AMC's) for a Class 1, hence why I asked, I did my initial Class 1 in the UK a long time ago, and back then, it was only Gatwick that did them, and here in Ireland, it was only the Military hospital at St Bricin's that did aviation Class 1 medicals, both initial and renewals.

There have been massive issues re colour blindness tests over the years, there are several ways to test, I am aware of 2, the most common, (and available on line) is the Ishihara plate test, I am also aware of a lantern test that is used where the Ishihara is problematic, and there is now also a smartphone downloadable test that I've not seen before.

People with specific issues may fail one test, but pass the other, and if this is what the OP is trying to find out without saying so in as many words, it's a minefield that can cause many problems, especially for a Class 1 medical.

A normal optician can interpret the rules and carry out an equivalent test, but there is no way round having to pass one or the other test for colour blindness,

The rules are quite specific, and clear.

Color Vision - You will be tested for normal color vision with Ishihara Test Plates (a series of numbers or shapes outlined by different colored dots, easily seen by someone with normal color vision). If you fail these you will need to pass an approved lantern test (a series of colored lights that you must identify correctly) in order to gain a JAR Class 1 certificate.

This is relatively new in the scale of things, when I did my Class 1, a fail of the Ishihara test was a world of pain and hassle, there was not an automatic allowance to take the lantern test, which prevented quite a few people from entering commercial flying. I think it changed when things were merged and many of the specific national rules were combined into the mess that is now European commercial flying.

folbotcar

Actually I've had my colour vision checked several times on renewals. I don't understand why. I didn't think you could catch colour blindness!

I'm pretty sure the AMEs would be able to do the same test. It is a requirement for the PPL after all.

I know all about the complications of colour vision. Back in the dark ages when I did my first PPL medical. There were no approved aviation Doctors and the Doctor I went to used the wrong test. After a blizzard of correspondence I ended up in Bricins for the colour test. I wasn't a bit worried as I knew I had no problem but it was a nuisance and it delayed my first solo!

I got my first Class 1 in Bricins too. They called everyone Captain which was charming!