Testing Changes Floated to Decide Path Forward
The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority is inviting feedback on a proposal that "seeks to formalise 2 testing options for colour vision deficient pilots who are not able to pass currently prescribed clinical colour vision tests through a legislative instrument."
The proposed tests are the Australian Operational Colour Vision Assessment (AOCVA) and the Colour Assessment and Diagnostic (CAD) test. Those who pass either one of them will be deemed fit to hold a Class 1 or Class 2 medical for color vision and be issued a certificate without any vision restrictions or endorsements. The AOCVA involves a 'Colour Vision Deficient' pilot demonstrating they can "effectively perceive, interpret, and act on information that is conveyed by colour-coded means, despite not being able to discriminate specific colours."
They must confirm they can distinguish between a selection of charts, instruments, displays and aviation lights. The testing regimen has been used before as a part of operational testing, but the program was suspended in March of 2022. Whichever test is selected is expected to become a draft policy, which will be put into place by the end of April 2024. If the draft policy is implemented, applicants will have the option to choose to become an approved AOCVA Flight Examiner, allowing them to conduct the assessment for pilot applicants.
An estimated 400 out of 36,000 Australian pilots have some color vision deficiency, and 140 of them are able to hold a commercial license.