FALANT ?

[xkex5088]

I'm going to go and get a Farnsworth Lantern test done and I'm wondering what FAA forms do I need to bring the doctor? Is it the 8500-7?

[My Flight Surgeon]

Good question -----------
You can take a form 8500-7 for the eye doctor to complete.

The FAA may not accept the FALANT though. The Regional Flight Surgeon called me on Wednesday and told me we could use the FALANT as an alternative test to issue medical certifictes but they were not going to accept the FALANT for a Letter of Evidence. The FAA's Farnsworth Lanterns have been altered by changing the red and green lenses and they will only accept that test (now called the ALT or Aviation Light Test) or the Signal Light Gun Test for the Letter of Evidence. This may just be the regional folks in LAX but it sounded like they had had a conference call with OKC to make this uniform. We will have to wait and see how they handle a few of the applications over the next month or two.

When you send it in, let us know on this forum how the FAA handles the Letter of Evidence.

[xkex5088]

So if my FALANT does not get accepted, I should take the ALT. If I take the ALT will I have to get a SODA, like I would in the Signal Light Gun Test, instead of just the Letter of Evidence in the FALANT test?

[My Flight Surgeon]

The FAA does not give SODA's for color vision, they give a Letter of Evidence.

The only place I know you can get an ALT is the FAA Regional Flight Surgeon's offices.

[flyTotheSky]

Originally Posted by My Flight Surgeon

The FAA does not give SODA's for color vision, they give a Letter of Evidence.

The only place I know you can get an ALT is the FAA Regional Flight Surgeon's offices.

Doc,

I got a Letter of Evidence (I think they called it a Letter of Competence back then) several years ago when I proved to the FAA that I passed the Farnsworth test. Will this letter still work everytime I go to an AME or will I have to be re-tested?

Thanks

[My Flight Surgeon]

Yes it will. It is life-long and they don't look at them again once issued.

Originally Posted by flyTotheSky

Doc,

I got a Letter of Evidence (I think they called it a Letter of Competence back then) several years ago when I proved to the FAA that I passed the Farnsworth test. Will this letter still work everytime I go to an AME or will I have to be re-tested?

Thanks

[srleslie]

Originally Posted by My Flight Surgeon

Good question -----------
You can take a form 8500-7 for the eye doctor to complete.

The FAA may not accept the FALANT though. The Regional Flight Surgeon called me on Wednesday and told me we could use the FALANT as an alternative test to issue medical certifictes but they were not going to accept the FALANT for a Letter of Evidence. The FAA's Farnsworth Lanterns have been altered by changing the red and green lenses and they will only accept that test (now called the ALT or Aviation Light Test) or the Signal Light Gun Test for the Letter of Evidence. This may just be the regional folks in LAX but it sounded like they had had a conference call with OKC to make this uniform. We will have to wait and see how they handle a few of the applications over the next month or two.

When you send it in, let us know on this forum how the FAA handles the Letter of Evidence.

They will still accept the Keystone for a letter of evidence right?!

[My Flight Surgeon]

Originally Posted by srleslie

They will still accept the Keystone for a letter of evidence right?!

I am going to a meeting with the FAA next weekend. I will ask that question specifically and post their response when I get home.

[srleslie]

Originally Posted by My Flight Surgeon

I am going to a meeting with the FAA next weekend. I will ask that question specifically and post their response when I get home.

OKC told me they would, but what you said just scared me and I was double checking. I need this. I can't pass the Farnsworth Lantern or the FALANT. My only other option would be the light gun signal test at the airport.

[xkex5088]

If I take the light signal gun test will there be any negatives like the FAA having records about my color deficiency, and the airlines eventually finding out about this?

[My Flight Surgeon]

The FAA changed their mind and will accept the FALANT from non-FAA sources.

There is already a record you failed color vision is they are going to give you a signal light gun test. Your employer will not know because the Letter of Evidence for color vision is presented to the AME and there is no notation on the medical certificate about color vision; i.e., no SODA. And the employer does not have access to your FAA medical records.

[matt152]

Originally Posted by xkex5088

If I take the light signal gun test will there be any negatives like the FAA having records about my color deficiency, and the airlines eventually finding out about this?

I would rely on what the Doc said. But if the airline has their own medical department (maybe the legacies?), I think they would find out. I have heard that the regionals just want to see your unrestricted first class.

[My Flight Surgeon]

Originally Posted by matt152

I would rely on what the Doc said. But if the airline has their own medical department (maybe the legacies?), I think they would find out. I have heard that the regionals just want to see your unrestricted first class.

American is the only one I know with their own medical department. I would think they are opening themselves up to litigation when it comes to color vision if they discriminate against someone who the FAA says is qualified.

[xkex5088]

Sorry to bother you again but I have one more question, to get an unrestricted 1st class medical for color vision all I have to do is take the Signal Light Gun Test and pass, right?

[My Flight Surgeon]

CORRECT

[xkex5088]

excellent, thank you very much for your help