Who Takes the Test and Why?
A pilot’s ability to distinguish colors is imperative when navigating via runway lights while flying at night. When radio communications are down, air traffic controllers will transmit signals in red, green, and white to indicate whether it’s safe to take off or land.
There are several tests to determine whether a pilot – or others for whom identifying colors is critical, such as ship captains and certain military personnel – has a color vision deficiency – commonly called “color blindness.”
The Farnsworth Lantern (FALANT) is one such test.
What Is the Farnsworth Lantern Test?
The United States Federal Aviation Administration requires pilots to take the FALANT in order to obtain a pilot’s license.
The FALANT is a 1-minute exam conducted by an optometrist in a well-lit room, with the applicant situated 8 feet from a lantern-like device. The device displays small red, green and white circles – two at a time vertically, in various combinations at random (including two of the same color), and differing levels of brightness. Nine such displays appear. Within a few seconds of each display, the applicant must correctly identify the color at the top and at the bottom.
If all nine displays are identified correctly, the applicant passes. A mistake in any of the nine displays requires the applicant to view two additional sets of nine displays each; he/she then must correctly identify no fewer than 16 of those 18 displays to pass.
The results are noted on the pilot’s medical certificate, a document that must be renewed regularly. An applicant who fails FALANT may still earn a pilot’s license, albeit with limitations, such as not being allowed to fly at night.
At Professional Eyecare Solutions, we administer the Farnsworth Lantern Test for patients from Palm Beach Gardens, CITY 2 for ODSPEC, CITY 3 for ODSPEC, and CITY 4 for ODSPEC, throughout FL.
Professional Eyecare Solutions accepts several health-insurance plans. Contact us today to learn more about insurance coverage and/or the test itself.
References
- https://www.aaopt.org/detail/knowledge-base-article/comparison-farnsworth-lantern-other-tests-color-vision
- https://www.aoa.org/assets/documents/ebo/adult%20eye/q410.2cole%202006.pdf
- https://www.aoa.org/assets/documents/optometric-staff/Articles/Color-Vision.pdf
- https://cal-eye-care.org/visual-functions-exams
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/7004063_Color_Vision_Assessment_Fail_Rates_of_Two_Versions_of_the_Farnsworth_Lantern_Test
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0042698998001199
- https://www.premierflightct.com/newsletters/TrainingArticles/LightGunSignals.html