Lack of international uniformity in assessing color vision deficiency in professional pilots.

Journal: Aviation, space, and environmental medicine
Published Date:

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Color is an important characteristic of the aviation environment. Pilots must rapidly and accurately differentiate and identify colors. The medical standards published by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) require that pilots have "the ability to perceive readily those colors the perception of which is necessary for the safe performance of duties." The general wording of that color vision (CV) standard, coupled with the associated flexibility provisions, allows for different approaches to the assessment of color vision deficient (CVD) pilots.

Authors

  • Dougal B Watson
    Civil Aviation Authority, Wellington, New Zealand. dougal.watson@caa.govt.nz