Colorblind Restriction

X3 Skier

X3 Skier

Final Approach
PoA Supporter
Joined
Jul 3, 2011
Messages
5,480
Location
GDK & SBS
Display Name
Geezer
Home Airfield
GDK Greene County
Back when I had a Class 3 Medical, I was restricted from night flight. Since then, I been flying using Sport Privileges. Not wanting tp spend the absurd amounts of money to get a SI nor risk being permanently limited to ultralights or gliders, I passed on SI and thus Basic Med.

I’m curious about night flying with a DL medical under MOSAIC. Since I can now fly a Cherokee into controlled airspace with my private certificate with no other restrictions, I wonder is this is a similar situation regarding night flight.

I have zero desire to fly at night so this is a purely Academic question.
 
That's actually an interesting question. You can't operate under basicmed (or SP) if your most recent medical was denied. But if you had a medical, not denied but with restrictions (no night flying), does that restriction carry forward into basicmed?
 
Dana said:
That's actually an interesting question. You can't operate under basicmed (or SP) if your most recent medical was denied. But if you had a medical, not denied but with restrictions (no night flying), does that restriction carry forward into basicmed?
Click to expand...

No.

Basic Med does require a valid driver’s license, though, so if the DL has a restriction against driving at night, that would carry over to Basic Med.
 
Let’s look at what the FARs say:

§ 61.315 What are the privileges and limits of my sport pilot certificate?
(c) You may not act as pilot in command of a light-sport aircraft:
(5) At night.
 
JScarry said:
Let’s look at what the FARs say:

§ 61.315 What are the privileges and limits of my sport pilot certificate?
(c) You may not act as pilot in command of a light-sport aircraft:
(5) At night.
Click to expand...
That's the old one. The new one says:
(5) At night, except as provided in § 61.329.
 
I guess they haven’t updated the eCFRs because of the shutdown.
 
How about a PP operating as PIC as a PP that had the “no night flight restriction” on their medical but is now flying under basic med ? No restrictions on DL. Are they legal to fly at night under basic med?
 
If you had ever had the "no night flight restriction" removed (of record), that is grandfathered forever.
 
Brad schneider said:
How about a PP operating as PIC as a PP that had the “no night flight restriction” on their medical but is now flying under basic med ? No restrictions on DL. Are they legal to fly at night under basic med?
Click to expand...

I believe night flight would be legal, but perhaps not wise. The prior "no night flight" on the medical would inform the pilot that he's unsafe at night, and under Basic Med you are required to assess yourself and decide whether you are healthy enough for the flight (just like all medicals).

But if you've corrected the problem, or you and your doctor believe it was never a problem to begin with, you should be okay under Basic Med. No need to go back to the FAA. Basic Med is not an FAA medical and they aren't involved in issuing it.

@Brad Z might want to offer an opinion, as he's deeply involved in this stuff.
 
Half Fast said:
I believe night flight would be legal, but perhaps not wise. The prior "no night flight" on the medical would inform the pilot that he's unsafe at night, and under Basic Med you are required to assess yourself and decide whether you are healthy enough for the flight (just like all medicals).

But if you've corrected the problem, or you and your doctor believe it was never a problem to begin with, you should be okay under Basic Med. No need to go back to the FAA. Basic Med is not an FAA medical and they aren't involved in issuing it.

@Brad Z might want to offer an opinion, as he's deeply involved in this stuff.
Click to expand...
14 CFR 61.53(b).
 
As most of us know failing the old plate tests isn’t a true test of weather you can see colors in the airport environment. Many pilots who failed the plates were able to pass the soda tests meaning they were able to see those colors and proved to the faa they could operate safely.

61.53(b) states pilot or crew members knows or has reason to know of a medical condition that would make the person unable to operate the aircraft in a safe manner.

With that said if a pilot is able to see and is able to distinguish the colors of the airport environment. Wouldn’t the pilot be able to self certify that he is safe to operate in those conditions ?

If the pilot can see the colors in question is there actually a medical condition that disqualifies night flight under basic med?
 
Brad schneider said:
As most of us know failing the old plate tests isn’t a true test of weather you can see colors in the airport environment. Many pilots who failed the plates were able to pass the soda tests meaning they were able to see those colors and proved to the faa they could operate safely.

61.53(b) states pilot or crew members knows or has reason to know of a medical condition that would make the person unable to operate the aircraft in a safe manner.

With that said if a pilot is able to see and is able to distinguish the colors of the airport environment. Wouldn’t the pilot be able to self certify that he is safe to operate in those conditions ?

If the pilot can see the colors in question is there actually a medical condition that disqualifies night flight under basic med?
Click to expand...


It’s up to the pilot and his doctor to determine whether there is a condition that disqualifies night flight under Basic Med. If there’s not, flying at night is legal, regardless of a restriction on a prior medical.

But that’s just my opinion, and IANAL nor an FAA employee.
 
Brad schneider said:
Many pilots who failed the plates were able to pass the soda tests meaning they were able to see those colors and proved to the faa they could operate safely.
Click to expand...
I know you are referencing Statement Of Demonstrated Ability but for a wonderful moment I had a vision of people using soda cans at the airport to test color vision:

"Okay Bob, what is he holding up over there?"
"Well, looks like a can of Coke in the left hand and a can of Mountain Dew in the right hand"
"And what does that mean?"
"He's flying straight towards me."
"His color vision is good, doc!"
 
Half Fast said:
It’s up to the pilot and his doctor to determine whether there is a condition that disqualifies night flight under Basic Med. If there’s not, flying at night is legal, regardless of a restriction on a prior medical.

But that’s just my opinion, and IANAL nor an FAA employee.
Click to expand...
I thought Basic Med there is no restrictions?
Doctor either signs or he doesn’t?
Am I all wrong?

Only restrictions would be on your drivers license?
 
bonefishpete said:
I thought Basic Med there is no restrictions?
Doctor either signs or he doesn’t?
Am I all wrong?

Only restrictions would be on your drivers license?
Click to expand...

That's correct, but don't disregard 14 CFR 61.53(b):
Operations that do not require a medical certificate. For operations provided for in § 61.23(b) of this part, a person shall not act as pilot in command, or in any other capacity as a required pilot flight crewmember, while that person knows or has reason to know of any medical condition that would make the person unable to operate the aircraft in a safe manner.​

Night vision isn't tested during a Basic Med exam, nor during a Class 3 for that matter, but if you know you have poor night vision then you know you have a "medical condition that would make you unable to operate the aircraft in a safe manner" at night and so the reg makes it illegal for you to fly.
 
Half Fast said:
That's correct, but don't disregard 14 CFR 61.53(b):
Operations that do not require a medical certificate. For operations provided for in § 61.23(b) of this part, a person shall not act as pilot in command, or in any other capacity as a required pilot flight crewmember, while that person knows or has reason to know of any medical condition that would make the person unable to operate the aircraft in a safe manner.​

Night vision isn't tested during a Basic Med exam, nor during a Class 3 for that matter, but if you know you have poor night vision then you know you have a "medical condition that would make you unable to operate the aircraft in a safe manner" at night and so the reg makes it illegal for you to fly.
Click to expand...
Thank you. I was fully aware you have to ground yourself if medical conditions make flight unsafe.
 
Back
Top