Newsgroups: rec.aviation.student
Subject: Re: Color Blindness ??  Will it keep me out of GA
From: jbolinger@lintek.com (J L Bolinger)
Organization: AeroFlex Lintek
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In article <6utpeh$71n@dfw-ixnews3.ix.netcom.com>, dcoll@ix.netcom.com says...
>
>Hello all --
>
>Decided I would like to pursue a PPL.  I am slightly
>red/green colorblind.  When I say slight I can see the
>colors -- even when they are together --  I have difficulty
>with shades.  
>
>Generally only has an effect on matching clothes.  
>I would like to know if this will stop me from gaining 
>a medical.  
>
>Would like to know b/f spending the $$
>
>Thanks!
>
>-Dan C.
>


Well!!

I was about to post a messge on the same topic.

I, too, have red/green color blindness, and wanted to see what other
student pilots have the same problem.

To answer your question, I passed the medical with no problem.  The
worst thing that could happen is that you be restricted to daytime only
and non-controlled fields (no tower, so no colored signal lights to
get confused.)  Second worst thing is that you have to demonstrate that
you can distinguish the colored lights.

I haven't done much night flying yet, just a few hours, but have noticed
the following:

No trouble seeing the blue taxiway lights or red hazard lights.
The VASI/PAPI lights also show up beautifully.

Likewise the red wing tip lights are also no problem.  I can easily tell
that they are red.

The  fun is with the 'green' lights, such as on both the wing tips and the
rotating beacons.  I see them as a 'sort of washed out pastel pink'.  No
problem so far, but I have to memorize the color and remember that whenever
I see 'sort of washed out pastel pink' it is really green.

Since 25% of the male population has some sort of color vision problem
I think they selected the colors to keep this problem to a minimum.

Anyone else out there have problems with the 'sort of washed out pastel 
pink' lights?


Jim

