Color Vison, CCT, UPT

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gpar6479

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Good evening, I apologize for the second post but there's something I am itching to know. I believe in the past, all color vison anomalies were disqualifying for UPT or becoming a pilot in general in the Air Force. However, I've heard that the Air Force has since changed their color vison standards to line up with the Navy not too long ago. These new color vison standards include mild color deficiency (no lower than a 55 on the Cone Contrast Test on both eyes, red, green and blue) reconsideration for piloting in the Air Force. I personally have a weak red-green color deficiency (it does not interfere with my life whatsoever) and I've always wanted to fly for the Air Force. Can someone verify these new standards? Does someone also know where I can get a CCT done? Thank you!

Edit: I've already asked Mr. Mullen about this but he could not speak on it since these color administrations are done by the AF
 
About 10 years ago the Air Force changed the color vision screening to the computerized random Cone Contrast Test (CCT) you are referring to. It was developed, I think, by an Air Force ophthalmologist at Wright-Patterson AFB (I think) in Ohio. He sold the Air Force on the fact the CCT can measure color vision capability very minutely. The other services have declined to use it to my knowledge. I had heard when it first rolled out many successful, current and qualified pilots were failing it during initial tests. Once it got approved for actual Air Force color vision screening, many previously pilot qualified UPT candidates were disqualified (around 2011/12 I think).

While at USAFA in Aug or Sept 2019 at an AOG conference, I asked the Sup at the time, Lt Gen S...., and Director of Admissions, Col ???, what was going on with it. They both described going to the Air Force-Navy football game in the fall of 2017 or 18, (again, I think one of those 2 years, but it was at Navy I believe) and during the half time show they introduced the 4 F-18 pilots that did the pre-game fly-by. According to their story, 2 of the fly-by pilots opened their flight suits to show off their USAFA graduation t-shirts, but were both NAVY Lieutenants (as in O-3's). General S and Col ?? tracked them down and asked what was up with that? The two USAFA grad Navy F-18 pilots explained they cross commissioned so they could attend Navy pilot training since they could pass the Navy color vision test, but not the new Air Force CCT. General S said he was quite surprised and unaware of how the CCT was disqualifying prospective UPT candidates, explained what was going on to other Air Force leadership, and secured a very small relaxing of the CCT standard from a score of 60 possibly, or whatever it was, to 55, or whatever it actually is now.
Also, I know of a nearby AFROTC commander from that 2011 time frame that heard of the big impact the new CCT had on being disqualified for pilot training, and took all his pilot candidates to the fairly nearby UPT base to see who would not pass the new CCT, but previously passed the old color dot test things (Ishahara and/or something else). Bad news usually only gets worse with time.

After a brief search on the internet when I was curious about this issue, 1/12 males has the red/green deficiency that is by far the most common color vision issue since the gene is on the piece of the X chromosome males don't have on their Y chromosome. (Mom's fault I guess, sorry). Anyone that has ANY trouble at all with the ishahara dot tests is VERY UNLIKELY to pass even the slightly relaxed version of the Air Force CCT from what I have heard. Navy still DOES NOT use it, and I haven't heard of any intention for them to use it. They still use something called the FLALANT or its newer replacement for color vision screening which fewer candidates fail. Anyone that has their heart set on being a military pilot, and has ANY hint of a color vision deficiency, should do all they can to take the actual Air Force CCT before they commit to the Air Force. GO NAVY!

A search of the internet will come up with a good bit of info on the Air Force CCT and also what the Navy uses. Don't bite off on the color vision correction glasses and contacts that also show up. They are not allowed and easily recognized by the medical folks.
 
SOLL said:
About 10 years ago the Air Force changed the color vision screening to the computerized random Cone Contrast Test (CCT) you are referring to. It was developed, I think, by an Air Force ophthalmologist at Wright-Patterson AFB (I think) in Ohio. He sold the Air Force on the fact the CCT can measure color vision capability very minutely. The other services have declined to use it to my knowledge. I had heard when it first rolled out many successful, current and qualified pilots were failing it during initial tests. Once it got approved for actual Air Force color vision screening, many previously pilot qualified UPT candidates were disqualified (around 2011/12 I think).

While at USAFA in Aug or Sept 2019 at an AOG conference, I asked the Sup at the time, Lt Gen S...., and Director of Admissions, Col ???, what was going on with it. They both described going to the Air Force-Navy football game in the fall of 2017 or 18, (again, I think one of those 2 years, but it was at Navy I believe) and during the half time show they introduced the 4 F-18 pilots that did the pre-game fly-by. According to their story, 2 of the fly-by pilots opened their flight suits to show off their USAFA graduation t-shirts, but were both NAVY Lieutenants (as in O-3's). General S and Col ?? tracked them down and asked what was up with that? The two USAFA grad Navy F-18 pilots explained they cross commissioned so they could attend Navy pilot training since they could pass the Navy color vision test, but not the new Air Force CCT. General S said he was quite surprised and unaware of how the CCT was disqualifying prospective UPT candidates, explained what was going on to other Air Force leadership, and secured a very small relaxing of the CCT standard from a score of 60 possibly, or whatever it was, to 55, or whatever it actually is now.
Also, I know of a nearby AFROTC commander from that 2011 time frame that heard of the big impact the new CCT had on being disqualified for pilot training, and took all his pilot candidates to the fairly nearby UPT base to see who would not pass the new CCT, but previously passed the old color dot test things (Ishahara and/or something else). Bad news usually only gets worse with time.

After a brief search on the internet when I was curious about this issue, 1/12 males has the red/green deficiency that is by far the most common color vision issue since the gene is on the piece of the X chromosome males don't have on their Y chromosome. (Mom's fault I guess, sorry). Anyone that has ANY trouble at all with the ishahara dot tests is VERY UNLIKELY to pass even the slightly relaxed version of the Air Force CCT from what I have heard. Navy still DOES NOT use it, and I haven't heard of any intention for them to use it. They still use something called the FLALANT or its newer replacement for color vision screening which fewer candidates fail. Anyone that has their heart set on being a military pilot, and has ANY hint of a color vision deficiency, should do all they can to take the actual Air Force CCT before they commit to the Air Force. GO NAVY!

A search of the internet will come up with a good bit of info on the Air Force CCT and also what the Navy uses. Don't bite off on the color vision correction glasses and contacts that also show up. They are not allowed and easily recognized by the medical folks.
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Wow, thank you for this valuable information. Do you know where I can get the CCT done? I've heard that most ophthalmologist do not have the resources to administer this test. Also, since I have already been accepted USAFA's offer of appointment, should I consider cross-commissioning to the Navy to secure a pilot slot? Do you have any insight on this matter as well? (I've already researched, just want more personal insight) Thank you so much
 
gpar6479 said:
Wow, thank you for this valuable information. Do you know where I can get the CCT done? I've heard that most ophthalmologist do not have the resources to administer this test. Also, since I have already been accepted USAFA's offer of appointment, should I consider cross-commissioning to the Navy to secure a pilot slot? Do you have any insight on this matter as well? (I've already researched, just want more personal insight) Thank you so much
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Whoa, whoa - cross-commissioning is not a routine thing out of any commissioning source. Yes, it happens, but only to a handful of people each year, and only if the needs of the losing Service (willing to let a warm body go they just invested a ton of money in) align with the needs of the gaining Service (needs a warm body to be at proper end strength). Some years it doesn’t happen at all. As always, just because something happened x years ago does not mean it is a norm or will happen in exactly the same way again. That’s a mighty fine eye of the needle to squeeze through with the added condition of a pilot slot. You also have to have done your thinking about service in the Navy or Marine Corps and whether that is a good fit for you.

You have an appointment (yay) in hand. Work your official USAFA contacts to see if you can get clarity on this issue from a primary source. The advice you receive on an anonymous Internet forum, including mine and excluding anyone who is a primary source such as Mr. Mullen, is worth exactly what you are paying for it.

You have gotten some interesting insights in above posts. I recall reading the Navy went away from FALANT in 2017 and is now using something else.

I also just googled “where can I get a Rabin Innova CCT test for color vision?” It’s out there at vision centers and eye care practices. Many of the sites state exactly what the test is, that it is the one approved by Air Force, etc. Keep in mind, though, if you go chase this down, it will still be the AF’s decision and their testing which will determine your path. I appreciate you want to know now!
 
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I don't know where the CCT is available. I'd bet all of the four Air Force pilot training bases but not so sure they would allow you to try the test.

Cross commissioning is rare. The way I understood it worked a generation ago was you had to find a 1 for 1 replacement at USMA or USNA and both services had to approve. Don't even know if that was exactly right back then for sure. I personally knew of 1 that went Army from my class. Heard it got a little less rare 5 to 10 years ago. Maybe because more USAFA graduates were running into problems with the CCT and so were more willing to change teams.

And OPTEC 900 or 9000 is the newer version of the Farnsworth Lantern test. Don't know if the Navy uses that.
 
SOLL said:
Cross commissioning is rare. The way I understood it worked a generation ago was you had to find a 1 for 1 replacement at USMA or USNA and both services had to approve. Don't even know if that was exactly right back then for sure. I personally knew of 1 that went Army from my class.
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I've heard of that before, my grandpa told me about someone who did that in his class ('76) so it was a while back. Basically you need to find someone who's willing to switch spots with you, so that way they don't lose a person.
 
Okay...soap box....

I was a rated USAF pilot for almost 30 years. I flew fighters, trainers, and tankers as my major weapon systems. And I flew "MFD full-color cockpit" aircraft with no issue ever. That being said...

I can't pass the Ishihara Pseudoisochromatic Plate test. I can't see any of the cards other than the bold red-green example plate. There were another two tests back when I had my flight physical; one was a nightmare in a dark-adapted room and involved identifying 64 colors/shades. I could do that no problem and I could easily pass the FALANT. So, off to UPT I went.

When the CCT came in, I was still serving. The flight doc said I'd have to take it at my next physical. I told him I'd heard that if you couldn't pass "the dot test" then you'd fail the CCT. "Well, give it a shot." So I did...

:bang:

His response, looking at the wings on my chest, with the star and wreath on top..." Well...it's a good thing all serving aviators are waived."

Since then I've watched some amazingly talented pilots be denied AF SUPT slots. I've been told the test is necessary because of the full-color MFD's in the modern cockpit. Hmm...I have flown them for years...no issues. I'm thinking someone sold someone something...

Okay, personal rant over.

Steve
 
TOTALLY AGREE with flieger83. Not me personally but know of quite a few successful pilots, Air Force, Navy, and otherwise, who have had no problem flying with their supposed "color deficiency", and would be out under the CCT. The doc that created the test made a mountain out of a non existent problem. The point of all the color on the displays is to be High Contrast, not to blend.
 
SOLL said:
TOTALLY AGREE with flieger83. Not me personally but know of quite a few successful pilots, Air Force, Navy, and otherwise, who have had no problem flying with their supposed "color deficiency", and would be out under the CCT. The doc that created the test made a mountain out of a non existent problem. The point of all the color on the displays is to be High Contrast, not to blend.
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Since I have a weak red-green color deficiency and could fail the CCT, should I start to look out for other non-aviation jobs in the case I do get disqualified? I want to make sure I don’t put all my eggs in one basket.
 
gpar6479 said:
Since I have a weak red-green color deficiency and could fail the CCT, should I start to look out for other non-aviation jobs in the case I do get disqualified? I want to make sure I don’t put all my eggs in one basket.
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Always, always, ALWAYS have a backup plan...secondary...tertiary...

I had mine if I hadn't gone to USAFA but chose USNA (VERY hard decision)...Naval Aviation...but...if that's not gonna happen, then a tough choice: SWO (I love the sea and large naval warships are just intriguing/fascinating) or "bubble head" because of the mission and the tightness of the "community." It was the same if I had gone to USMA...

ALWAYS have backup plans for things you're interested in!

Steve
 
Just because you can't qualify for Air Force color vision to be a pilot doesn't mean you can't qualify for Navy, Army, Coast Guard, or even get an FAA Class I medical required for airline flying someday. The FAA even allows those who can't pass any version of their approved color vision tests to do a special test with an FAA examiner where if you demonstrate the ability to distinguish between the different colored lights on the airport and the old fashioned paper charts. If you pass you are permanently exempt from taking any color vision test for the FAA medical ever again. I fly with a pilot at my airline occasionally that has that permanent exemption and he described what was done for it, although it has been updated in the last decade or so, but basically same idea.

Beyond color vision though, there are fairly frequent instances of people thinking they were medically qualified for pilot training based on all their previous medicals, but once they did the more specific and more thorough medical for pilot training, mild heart issues were discovered, like arrhythmia and abnormal EKG's, or unusual eye problems. One individual from my airline I have flown with several times had a weird cornea problem call carateconis (spelling way off) where the center of his cornea was cone shaped instead of rounded. Never knew about it from previous, more basic, eye exams. Found out at his graduation physical from ROTC. UPT slot pulled, got special eye surgery to fix it, disqualifying still for military, but acceptable to FAA. Military flying dream crushed but currently flying at a career destination airline.

Point is, you never know what could go wrong medically. Only knew of 1 person that entered USAFA not medically qualified to be a pilot, but somehow passed his last physical to go to pilot training. Many more stories of disappointment though. It used to be a benefit of going to USAFA was they would have almost standing waivers for less concerning medical issues, which was not the case for AFROTC or OCS in that era. I guess they figured they invested a lot in you already so were more willing to grant a waiver. Don't know if that is the case at all right now.

But, you never know what can pop up medically before, during, and after pilot training. Quite a few stories. But also remember, it may be disqualifying for the Air Force or military overall, but not for the FAA.
 
Thank you so much @SOLL @flieger83 and @Capt MJ for the insight. This information is very helpful in my plan for the future. I’m sure future applicants or cadets will find this thread interesting and helpful as well. For now, I’ll take it one step at a time and tend to my backups. Again, thank you for the informative posts, I really appreciate it
 
Lots of cool things to do besides flying. USNA offers a wider variety of options beyond flying in my opinion.
 
Have not heard of that. The article spent as much time on this new competition for innovations as it did on the color vision correction visors that won the competition that year.

I know there are various color vision correction glasses and contacts that have been around for many years so the technology is not new. They are all still not allowed to be used for military flying to my knowledge, and also not allowed by the FAA for civilian flying I'm pretty sure.
 
Updated to Color Vision Info: Bottom line, the more lenient standards the Air Force implemented for pilots, I think in 2017, are significant. The new standards align the Air Force requirements more closely to that of the other services, but some people, much more likely males, will still not pass. But quite a bit fewer candidates are disqualified based on the Air Force's Rabin Cone Contrast Test, or CCT.

Talked to a current Air Force Flight Surgeon who is directly in charge of flight physicals. Actually got to do the test. It consists of identifying which one of 10 different letters the test uses comes up on the screen. You have 3 seconds to select the letter using a mouse click on the screen. Each eye is done individually for Red, Green, and Blue, in 5 levels of decreasing contrast on a gray background as you move along. Even the mid contrast levels take some concentration to determine, and the low contrast ones are not easy, although I got 100 on all but one. Got a 90 on one eye for Red.

Anyway, the old Air Force standard was 75 minimum each color for each eye individually. So 6 seperate scores. Now it is 55. Looking at some examples I've come across, if you can see the letters in contrast levels 1 and 2, and get a couple right in contrast level 3, that may be let you squeak by with a 55. I don't think you have to see anything in contrast levels 4 or 5 to get a a score of 55. Don't know for sure though, just inferring this from my score sheet and an example of one I saw on Innova system's (the company that makes if, maybe the now retired Air Force Flight Surgeon's company?) website.

I also found the Navy's (and by extension the Marines') color vision test requirements. According to "Aviation Physical Standards" updated April 2020, the candidate must pass any ONE of the following TWO tests: Computer based Color Vision Test (the CCT I guess, don't know of another yet) OR ANY PIP color plates (Pseudo-Isochromatic Plate) with at least 14 diagnostic plates with a score of 12/14 on plates 2-15. Plate 1 is an example plate and high contrast so not a "diagnostic" plate.

According to the Air Force flight surgeon passing for a pilot if the CCT is used is 55 for all services. But the Navy does not REQUIRE that to be used, but can use the old PIP plates. And the FALANT is no longer used, nor is the newer but similar OPTEC 900.

Good news is the Air Force has aligned more closely, but not totally with the other services in not disqualifying everyone, mostly males, with the commonly (8% of males) inherited red-green color vision deficiency. Many of those candidates can now pass (50% maybe, I don't really know but I think the change was significant). But the Navy still allows qualification using the old PIP plates still.
 
SOLL said:
Updated to Color Vision Info: Bottom line, the more lenient standards the Air Force implemented for pilots, I think in 2017, are significant. The new standards align the Air Force requirements more closely to that of the other services, but some people, much more likely males, will still not pass. But quite a bit fewer candidates are disqualified based on the Air Force's Rabin Cone Contrast Test, or CCT.

Talked to a current Air Force Flight Surgeon who is directly in charge of flight physicals. Actually got to do the test. It consists of identifying which one of 10 different letters the test uses comes up on the screen. You have 3 seconds to select the letter using a mouse click on the screen. Each eye is done individually for Red, Green, and Blue, in 5 levels of decreasing contrast on a gray background as you move along. Even the mid contrast levels take some concentration to determine, and the low contrast ones are not easy, although I got 100 on all but one. Got a 90 on one eye for Red.

Anyway, the old Air Force standard was 75 minimum each color for each eye individually. So 6 seperate scores. Now it is 55. Looking at some examples I've come across, if you can see the letters in contrast levels 1 and 2, and get a couple right in contrast level 3, that may be let you squeak by with a 55. I don't think you have to see anything in contrast levels 4 or 5 to get a a score of 55. Don't know for sure though, just inferring this from my score sheet and an example of one I saw on Innova system's (the company that makes if, maybe the now retired Air Force Flight Surgeon's company?) website.

I also found the Navy's (and by extension the Marines') color vision test requirements. According to "Aviation Physical Standards" updated April 2020, the candidate must pass any ONE of the following TWO tests: Computer based Color Vision Test (the CCT I guess, don't know of another yet) OR ANY PIP color plates (Pseudo-Isochromatic Plate) with at least 14 diagnostic plates with a score of 12/14 on plates 2-15. Plate 1 is an example plate and high contrast so not a "diagnostic" plate.

According to the Air Force flight surgeon passing for a pilot if the CCT is used is 55 for all services. But the Navy does not REQUIRE that to be used, but can use the old PIP plates. And the FALANT is no longer used, nor is the newer but similar OPTEC 900.

Good news is the Air Force has aligned more closely, but not totally with the other services in not disqualifying everyone, mostly males, with the commonly (8% of males) inherited red-green color vision deficiency. Many of those candidates can now pass (50% maybe, I don't really know but I think the change was significant). But the Navy still allows qualification using the old PIP plates still.
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Incredible information... Since I am a military dependent, do you think I can get this test arranged at my nearest Air Force base? Thank you so much for this in-depth analysis. (more hope for me 😭)
 
I really don't know. I was surprised how accommodating they were there. It was exceptionally not at all busy at the time I walked in. I politely pestered the staff if anyone was there to talk to about the color vision test and got lucky. I'd try a few times. There may be a handful of non-military places with the test too. Internet search for the CCT would be a good start if you don't have any luck at your local base.
 
I'll tack on a couple questions that are closely related but haven't come up yet in this thread.

Does anybody know the color vision standards as far as the other "in-the-cockpit" aviation jobs like CSO, NFO (Navy), or Remotely Piloted?

One more question that will aid in deciding (I'm hoping for appointments to both) between USAFA and USNA: Now that the colorblindness standards are pretty much the same between the branches, am I correct to assume that neither branch would give a possibly waiverable pilot hopeful a better chance? Thanks.
 
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