03-11-2020, 10:22 AM
Finally found one? - ie good news Oz aviation story... 
Via the CVDPA (c/o John O and AP)
![[Image: CVDPA_Email_Signature_v1.jpg]](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/13796d2120f98c0a77a806143/images/CVDPA_Email_Signature_v1.jpg)
Dear Members and Supporters,
It's been quite a while since our last update, but rest assured that work has been ongoing behind the scenes now for some time. We are pleased to advise that these lobbying efforts culminated last week with CASA CEO Shane Carmody announcing the most significant shift in Australian colour vision policy in over three decades.
CVDPA congratulates CASA on the below announcement which finally recognises what we have been arguing all along. Whilst it should never have taken this long and Australia shouldn't have needed to wait for the New Zealand CAA to lead the way with their changes last year, it is however a result that we are very pleased with and one which opens the door for all current and aspiring CVD pilots to reach their full career ambitions.
THE CASA BRIEFING - FEBRUARY 2020
![[Image: 86aacb56-be6c-4f87-8d1e-fcdfb80cb8b7.jpg]](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/13796d2120f98c0a77a806143/images/86aacb56-be6c-4f87-8d1e-fcdfb80cb8b7.jpg)
A solution has been found to a somewhat thorny and long-running issue that is important to a group of pilots. The issue is colour vision deficiency and the way CASA manages safety related assessments as part of the medical certification process. Colour vision deficiency affects about 400 Australian pilots and a three-stage testing process has been in place for some time, with a pass at any stage allowing an unrestricted medical to be issued. Where all three tests are failed then a medical certificate can be issued subject to conditions.
Research in recent years has shown relying on diagnostic tests alone may be unnecessarily limiting when considering the impact of colour vision deficiency on aviation safety. Advances in technology, operating techniques and human factors training can now mitigate many of the safety risks of colour vision deficiency. Technology to assist pilots has developed significantly and the impact of colour vision deficiency on aviation safety should take these changes into account. These factors have been recognised overseas, most recently in New Zealand where a new approach to colour vision deficiency came into effect in May 2019, which includes an operational colour vision assessment. This assessment comprises a ground-based assessment and an in-flight assessment which looks at a pilot’s ability to interpret visual information. A separate assessment is done for day flying and for night flying.
We have decided to adopt this approach to colour vision deficiency assessment and in the short term we will recognise the New Zealand operational colour vision assessment as an alternative to Australia’s current third level of testing. Work is already well underway on the development of an Australian operational test for colour vision deficiency by mid-2020. Any Australian pilots who wish to use the New Zealand assessment can do so now, although it will require travel to that country. CASA has carefully examined all relevant safety issues and believes this new approach offers a practical alternative assessment for colour vision deficient pilots. We have listened to the views of pilots and made judgements based on research and evidence.
Best wishes
Shane Carmody
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
CVDPA is expecting CASA to publish further detailed information on their website shortly regarding these changes, however in the interim, the below summary provides an idea of what can be expected based upon the discussions that we have been having with them in recent weeks.
What do the changes mean for the current CVD restrictions?
There are currently several groups of CVD pilots:
- Those who have passed previous CVD tests;
- Those who have failed CVD tests prior to the 2014 changes and have some restrictions;
- Those who have failed CVD tests since the 2014 changes.
Any pilot who has passed a CVD test (including the previous control tower signal gun test) in the past should have no restrictions on their medical and this situation remains unchanged.
Pilots who held a medical pre-2014 but who have failed the various CVD tests will likely have medical restrictions (1) not valid for ATPL operations and (2) holder does not fully meet requirements of ICAO Convention Chapter 6 of Annex 1 (which prevents international operations).
Newer pilots who have received a medical post-2014 have been issued with severe restrictions including the two mentioned above + (3) Limited to flights by Day Visual Flight Rules only.
CASA have agreed with us that the more recent restriction limiting flights to 'Visual Flight Rules only' is unnecessary and that Instrument Flight Rules operations should not be prohibited. As a result, restriction (3) will be amended to simply 'Not valid for night flying' until the OCVA night component is passed.
What will the new testing process be?
The testing will continue to follow the three tier testing process as per CASR 67.150 (6), with the operational colour vision assessment (OCVA) replacing the CAD as the third level test:
(a) Screening - Ishihara;
(b) Clinical - Farnsworth or CAD;
© Operational - OCVA (day and night).
If I pass the OCVA, will I have any medical restrictions?
A pass in any of the above tests (including the OCVA) will result in the removal of ALL restrictions and a clean medical certificate will be issued allowing full ATPL / Day / Night / IFR and international flying privileges.
When will the OCVA be available in Australia?
As mentioned in CASA's announcement, it is anticipated that the OCVA will be available at locations around Australia by mid-year, once the various flying schools and instructors/examiners have received training in how to conduct the assessment.
How do I arrange to complete an OCVA in New Zealand if I don't want to wait until mid-year?
The New Zealand CAA website has a significant amount of information available on how the assessment is conducted, including various guides for candidates as well as assessors. The published guidance material makes it clear that the assessment is not to be a "colour naming" exercise, but rather an assessment of ability to correctly interpret the meaning of information conveyed by charts, instruments or lights and to assess terrain conditions or obstructions as presented in an operational environment. As such, we would recommend that candidates have at least some flying experience prior to undertaking the OCVA. Please refer to the New Zealand CAA website link below to review all the information prior to contacting one of the approved OCVA assessors to arrange for an assessment.
New Zealand Civil Aviation Safety Authority | Colour Vision Assessment
Please note that Australian pilots wishing to undertake this assessment are not required to obtain a New Zealand licence or medical. You will be required to present the assessor with a form of photographic identification and a copy of your CASA licence/medical which shows your present restrictions. The OCVA assessor will complete the relevant form and the candidate then provides a copy to CASA upon return to Australia at which point an unrestricted medical certificate will be issued.
MTF...P2
Via the CVDPA (c/o John O and AP)
CASA changes CVD policy
Dear Members and Supporters,
It's been quite a while since our last update, but rest assured that work has been ongoing behind the scenes now for some time. We are pleased to advise that these lobbying efforts culminated last week with CASA CEO Shane Carmody announcing the most significant shift in Australian colour vision policy in over three decades.
CVDPA congratulates CASA on the below announcement which finally recognises what we have been arguing all along. Whilst it should never have taken this long and Australia shouldn't have needed to wait for the New Zealand CAA to lead the way with their changes last year, it is however a result that we are very pleased with and one which opens the door for all current and aspiring CVD pilots to reach their full career ambitions.
THE CASA BRIEFING - FEBRUARY 2020
A solution has been found to a somewhat thorny and long-running issue that is important to a group of pilots. The issue is colour vision deficiency and the way CASA manages safety related assessments as part of the medical certification process. Colour vision deficiency affects about 400 Australian pilots and a three-stage testing process has been in place for some time, with a pass at any stage allowing an unrestricted medical to be issued. Where all three tests are failed then a medical certificate can be issued subject to conditions.
Research in recent years has shown relying on diagnostic tests alone may be unnecessarily limiting when considering the impact of colour vision deficiency on aviation safety. Advances in technology, operating techniques and human factors training can now mitigate many of the safety risks of colour vision deficiency. Technology to assist pilots has developed significantly and the impact of colour vision deficiency on aviation safety should take these changes into account. These factors have been recognised overseas, most recently in New Zealand where a new approach to colour vision deficiency came into effect in May 2019, which includes an operational colour vision assessment. This assessment comprises a ground-based assessment and an in-flight assessment which looks at a pilot’s ability to interpret visual information. A separate assessment is done for day flying and for night flying.
We have decided to adopt this approach to colour vision deficiency assessment and in the short term we will recognise the New Zealand operational colour vision assessment as an alternative to Australia’s current third level of testing. Work is already well underway on the development of an Australian operational test for colour vision deficiency by mid-2020. Any Australian pilots who wish to use the New Zealand assessment can do so now, although it will require travel to that country. CASA has carefully examined all relevant safety issues and believes this new approach offers a practical alternative assessment for colour vision deficient pilots. We have listened to the views of pilots and made judgements based on research and evidence.
Best wishes
Shane Carmody
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
CVDPA is expecting CASA to publish further detailed information on their website shortly regarding these changes, however in the interim, the below summary provides an idea of what can be expected based upon the discussions that we have been having with them in recent weeks.
What do the changes mean for the current CVD restrictions?
There are currently several groups of CVD pilots:
- Those who have passed previous CVD tests;
- Those who have failed CVD tests prior to the 2014 changes and have some restrictions;
- Those who have failed CVD tests since the 2014 changes.
Any pilot who has passed a CVD test (including the previous control tower signal gun test) in the past should have no restrictions on their medical and this situation remains unchanged.
Pilots who held a medical pre-2014 but who have failed the various CVD tests will likely have medical restrictions (1) not valid for ATPL operations and (2) holder does not fully meet requirements of ICAO Convention Chapter 6 of Annex 1 (which prevents international operations).
Newer pilots who have received a medical post-2014 have been issued with severe restrictions including the two mentioned above + (3) Limited to flights by Day Visual Flight Rules only.
CASA have agreed with us that the more recent restriction limiting flights to 'Visual Flight Rules only' is unnecessary and that Instrument Flight Rules operations should not be prohibited. As a result, restriction (3) will be amended to simply 'Not valid for night flying' until the OCVA night component is passed.
What will the new testing process be?
The testing will continue to follow the three tier testing process as per CASR 67.150 (6), with the operational colour vision assessment (OCVA) replacing the CAD as the third level test:
(a) Screening - Ishihara;
(b) Clinical - Farnsworth or CAD;
© Operational - OCVA (day and night).
If I pass the OCVA, will I have any medical restrictions?
A pass in any of the above tests (including the OCVA) will result in the removal of ALL restrictions and a clean medical certificate will be issued allowing full ATPL / Day / Night / IFR and international flying privileges.
When will the OCVA be available in Australia?
As mentioned in CASA's announcement, it is anticipated that the OCVA will be available at locations around Australia by mid-year, once the various flying schools and instructors/examiners have received training in how to conduct the assessment.
How do I arrange to complete an OCVA in New Zealand if I don't want to wait until mid-year?
The New Zealand CAA website has a significant amount of information available on how the assessment is conducted, including various guides for candidates as well as assessors. The published guidance material makes it clear that the assessment is not to be a "colour naming" exercise, but rather an assessment of ability to correctly interpret the meaning of information conveyed by charts, instruments or lights and to assess terrain conditions or obstructions as presented in an operational environment. As such, we would recommend that candidates have at least some flying experience prior to undertaking the OCVA. Please refer to the New Zealand CAA website link below to review all the information prior to contacting one of the approved OCVA assessors to arrange for an assessment.
New Zealand Civil Aviation Safety Authority | Colour Vision Assessment
Please note that Australian pilots wishing to undertake this assessment are not required to obtain a New Zealand licence or medical. You will be required to present the assessor with a form of photographic identification and a copy of your CASA licence/medical which shows your present restrictions. The OCVA assessor will complete the relevant form and the candidate then provides a copy to CASA upon return to Australia at which point an unrestricted medical certificate will be issued.
MTF...P2