Medical

November 8, 2007

Just wondering if anyone has gone through or is currently experiencing the process of having a special issuance medical? Has this affected your career as a pilot? I have a special issuance right now, but I am able to get any class, I just have to submit yearly reports, which for the past 4 years have been normal.

Also, anyone have or ever had the restriction "not valid for night flight or by color signal control" on your medical? Have you taken the light gun signal test, or the farnsworth?

I actually have both right now. I'm going to the ATL Regional office to take the FAA Farnsworth. Just wondering if anyone has any personal experiences with the tests, so I know what to expect. Anyways, I appreciate your input. Thanks a lot.

fast03cobra · November 8, 2007

Just wondering if anyone has gone through or is currently experiencing the process of having a special issuance medical? Has this affected your career as a pilot? I have a special issuance right now, but I am able to get any class, I just have to submit yearly reports, which for the past 4 years have been normal.

Also, anyone have or ever had the restriction "not valid for night flight or by color signal control" on your medical? Have you taken the light gun signal test, or the farnsworth?

I actually have both right now. I'm going to the ATL Regional office to take the FAA Farnsworth. Just wondering if anyone has any personal experiences with the tests, so I know what to expect. Anyways, I appreciate your input. Thanks a lot.

I had a limitation of "not vaild for night flight....." on my medical. I wrote a letter to Oklahoma and requested a light gun test. Once I receieved a response I had to schedule a light gun test with the FSDO. On my appointment day I arrived at the airport and proceeded out to the taxi way with two FAA Administrators and they shined the light at me several times and I gave them the colors. I passed as I am not color blind, I just have a red/green deficency.

Hope that helps.

November 8, 2007

I'm actually going to the FAA regional office in ATL to take their Farnsworth Test on the 20th this month. I did have a letter to take the light gun test, but I read that you should do that as a last resort, because if you fail that, you're done. At least with alternate tests elsewhere, you can fail, but keep trying again until you pass. But, I don't think I should have a problem with Farnsworth, because I myself am not really all that colorblind, I just have a red/green def. myself. We'll see how it goes. Just wanting to see what your experience was like. Thanks for the reply though.

fast03cobra · November 10, 2007

I'm actually going to the FAA regional office in ATL to take their Farnsworth Test on the 20th this month. I did have a letter to take the light gun test, but I read that you should do that as a last resort, because if you fail that, you're done. At least with alternate tests elsewhere, you can fail, but keep trying again until you pass. But, I don't think I should have a problem with Farnsworth, because I myself am not really all that colorblind, I just have a red/green def. myself. We'll see how it goes. Just wanting to see what your experience was like. Thanks for the reply though.

Actually the light gun test can be taken three times, at least that's what I was advised by the FSDO here. That's why I did it first. I too read that it should be done as a last resort; however I talked to several other pilots in my area that needed the same test and they advised to take the light gun test first..... Anyway good luck..

November 10, 2007

I've heard twice, but that's if the examiner is having a good day. Anyways, were you nervous prior to the light gun test? Doubting yourself at all? Did you try to "practice" by having a tower flash light gun signals prior to the test?

I hate this test, because my whole career in aviation relies on passing this test. It is probably not as hard as I make it out to be, but I guess that's human instinct.

Sparker · November 10, 2007

I've heard twice, but that's if the examiner is having a good day. Anyways, were you nervous prior to the light gun test? Doubting yourself at all? Did you try to "practice" by having a tower flash light gun signals prior to the test?

I hate this test, because my whole career in aviation relies on passing this test. It is probably not as hard as I make it out to be, but I guess that's human instinct.

Keep the faith man!

Good luck.

November 10, 2007

Thanks man. I test my luck on the 20th this month, so I will post an update on the results.

10 days and counting...

fast03cobra · November 11, 2007

I've heard twice, but that's if the examiner is having a good day. Anyways, were you nervous prior to the light gun test? Doubting yourself at all? Did you try to "practice" by having a tower flash light gun signals prior to the test?

I hate this test, because my whole career in aviation relies on passing this test. It is probably not as hard as I make it out to be, but I guess that's human instinct.

I did have a local tower give a few light signals. Also when I did mine another guy did his first. I was there looking at the signals, listening to his answers, and he was completely wrong....Although I questioned myself at first, then I got nervous.. I just kept telling myself I know I am correct, and had no problems. The first guy was his third attempt and basically his career was finished before he really got started.....

November 20, 2007

Well I am leaving at 0600 and I should be home around 1800-2100 tonight. The time has come and I will post the results when I get back in. Thanks for the support.

fast03cobra · November 20, 2007

Well I am leaving at 0600 and I should be home around 1800-2100 tonight. The time has come and I will post the results when I get back in. Thanks for the support.

I hope everything went well....

November 20, 2007

Alright, well the results are in. After a 4 hour drive to ATL, for a 10 minute Farnsworth Test, to a horrible 7 hour ride home (accidents like you wouldn't believe)...the verdict has arrived. I passed the Farnsworth test with zero errors!!! I should be getting my official letter in the mail within 1-2 weeks. I'm frikin ecstatic because I've had this restriction since I was 15, and it's finally been removed.

Let the journey begin...!!!!

EAGLE1 · November 21, 2007

Alright, well the results are in. After a 4 hour drive to ATL, for a 10 minute Farnsworth Test, to a horrible 7 hour ride home (accidents like you wouldn't believe)...the verdict has arrived. I passed the Farnsworth test with zero errors!!! I should be getting my official letter in the mail within 1-2 weeks. I'm frikin ecstatic because I've had this restriction since I was 15, and it's finally been removed.

Let the journey begin...!!!!

Congrats!

EC120AV8R · November 21, 2007

Alright, well the results are in. After a 4 hour drive to ATL, for a 10 minute Farnsworth Test, to a horrible 7 hour ride home (accidents like you wouldn't believe)...the verdict has arrived. I passed the Farnsworth test with zero errors!!! I should be getting my official letter in the mail within 1-2 weeks. I'm frikin ecstatic because I've had this restriction since I was 15, and it's finally been removed.

Let the journey begin...!!!!

Outstanding!