Eye Machine

[JBUCREW]

When doing an eye exam for a 1st class, if you dont like using the eye machine can you just ask to use the wall chart? or do you have to use the machine?
Thanks

[My Flight Surgeon]

There are some of the tests that are only in the eye machine at most AME's offices. The wall chart is for visual acuity only and is not used to test phorias or color vision.

If they are nice, they will allow you to use the wall chart for the distant visual acuity test. You can use hand-held cards for near and intermediate visual acuity.

[Ryan Wesley Hawkins]

If one passes the light gun test during the day are they allowed to
fly commercial and/or airline flights?

thanks, Ryan

[My Flight Surgeon]

Yes. The restriction for color vision states "NOT VALID FOR NIGHT FLYING OR BY COLOR SIGNAL CONTROL"

[Ryan Wesley Hawkins]

So are you saying that one would only be able to fly during the day time or am I misinterpreting the answer?

[My Flight Surgeon]

You are correct.

[Ryan Wesley Hawkins]

Would one be able to fly at night if they do the light gun test a night?

[My Flight Surgeon]

Yes, if they pass it.

[Ryan Wesley Hawkins]

Thank you very much

[ZapBrannigan]

I don't like the machine either. On the wall chart i'm better than 20/20. In the machine I struggle with it. Seems like the harder I try to see that 20/20 line, the blurrier everything becomes. The backlight makes it seem worse.

I found an aeromedical doc who has a wall chart.

I also go to the eye doctor once a year about a month before my physical and ask the doc to write me a letter with all of my details.

If the aeromedical doc has a problem, I whip out the letter. I've never had to do it, but my assumption is that the eye doctor has better equipment and is better qualified to evaluate my vision than an FAA doc.

[JDMcFly]

If you don't mind answering, specifically (typically) what do they test for with the eye machine.

[My Flight Surgeon]

Near, intermediate, and distant vision, color vision and phorias.

[Ryan Wesley Hawkins]

So if you pass the light gun test during the day and at night, will you be able to receive your first class medical certificate and be able to captain a plane?

[My Flight Surgeon]

Originally Posted by Ryan Wesley Hawkins

So if you pass the light gun test during the day and at night, will you be able to receive your first class medical certificate and be able to captain a plane?

The answer is YES. But you only need to take the test in the daytime.

[Ryan Wesley Hawkins]

Thank you very very much.

[JDMcFly]

I was fortunate, at my test I didn't touch any eye machine.

Distant vision was "Chart on the wall". Easily rattled off 20/20.

Interm/Close was a hand held card.

Color vision was those little cards with the numbers inside.

Phoria was this little red prism thing I held over my eye.

[Ryan Wesley Hawkins]

If I may ask, what are all the lights that have to been known to pass the light gun test. And how far away from the lights are you positioned when you take it?

[matt152]

Originally Posted by Ryan Wesley Hawkins

If I may ask, what are all the lights that have to been known to pass the light gun test. And how far away from the lights are you positioned when you take it?

Hi Ryan. You have to be able to perceive aviation green, red, and white. When I did it for my 3rd class, I think it was like 1000 feet and 1500 feet from the tower. They shoot you with the light 10 times at each distance. You can't make a mistake, so you may want to practice before the test.

[Ryan Wesley Hawkins]

Thanks a million

[Ryan Wesley Hawkins]

One more question about that. Is aviation green similar to the green found on traffic lights?

[Ryan Wesley Hawkins]

To:
Matt152

Are you badly colorblind or did you only want a PPL? And if you are colorblind how badly is your color deficiency?

[vheissu]

What is the procedure for getting a medical with Phoria's or problems with binocular vision?

[My Flight Surgeon]

We only check phorias on Class 1 and 2 medicals. If you have double vision it is a problem otherwise it is not. If the phoria is so bad you are functionally a monovision person, they allow you to fly monovision with a SODA, you just need to pass a Medical Flight Test with an FAA inspector to demonstrate depth perception.

[matt152]

Originally Posted by Ryan Wesley Hawkins

To:
Matt152

Are you badly colorblind or did you only want a PPL? And if you are colorblind how badly is your color deficiency?

I am red/green colorblind. I never had any trouble with traffic lights, so it was a big surprise when I went to the AME for my 3rd class when I was 16. I couldn't identify anything on the red/green dot plates. Anyway, I passed the signal light test and the restrictions were removed from the 3rd class medical. I had spoken with an FAA guy at the FSDO, and he said forget about becoming a professional pilot: "They will never take you when there are guys out there without a waiver." So I forgot about it and planned to just fly for fun. 11 years pass.

I am talking with a pilot on a commercial flight and he tells me "oh, I am colorblind." After doing a medical flight test with an FAA inspector my 3rd class was upgraded to a 1st class. I am switching careers to flying.

As for your other question, yes, the light is basically the same as a traffic light.

Hope this answers your question.

Matt

[My Flight Surgeon]

This is why the FAA issues a Letter of Evidence and not a SODA for color vision now --- no record of the problem when it comes to employment.