Preparing for Your Aviation Colour Perception Test: Tips and Best Practices

Ready to soar? Before you take off, make sure your colour perception is spot-on!

Colour perception tests play an important role in ensuring aviation safety as pilots need to accurately interpret all the various signals, indicators, and warnings they have to recognize within the context of an ever-changing environment. The Aviation Colour Perception Test or ACPT has been specifically devised to examine a pilot's ability to distinguish among shades of red, green, and yellow––crucial for recognizing essential instruments and visual cues in flight.

If you’re preparing for this test, understanding its significance and how to best prepare can improve your chances of success.

Understanding the Aviation Colour Perception Test

The ACPT (Aviation Colour Perception Test) is a medical requirement for pilots, air traffic controllers, and other aviation staff whose jobs require colour perception. It ensures that individuals working in aviation can safely interpret colours used in aviation systems and procedures, such as navigation lights, warning signals, and cockpit instruments.

In the UK, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) sets the guidelines for colour vision assessments. Commonly, it includes tests using pseudoisochromatic plates, more widely recognized as Ishihara plates. The pseudoisochromatic plates feature patterns of coloured dots that are difficult to distinguish for those with colour vision deficiencies.  A pilot’s ability to recognize these patterns is evaluated to determine if they can safely interpret colours in the cockpit or during flight operations.

According to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, USA, there are three levels of colour vision testing to prove you can see different colours while flying.

Colour vision testing for pilots follows a tiered sequence:

Tier 1: Assessment of pseudoisochromatic plates (Ishihara PIP).

Tier 2: Farnsworth Lantern (FALANT) or Optec 900 Assessment

Tier 3: You can choose between:

  • Colour assessment and diagnostic (CAD) assessment.

  • Australian Operational Colour Vision Assessment (AOCVA).

If you pass the tier 1 test, you meet the medical standards for colour vision. Successful applicants will receive an unrestricted Class 1 or Class 2 medical certificate.

How Colour Perception Affects Aviation Safety

Colour perception is a key point in aviation safety. The pilots have to recognize signals and instruments that use colour to convey important information:

  • Red is used for warnings and alerts, such as engine failure indicators or emergency lights.

  • Green represents safety, like "go" signals on traffic lights or safe zones.

  • Yellow is used for warning and caution, like lighting and advisory messages.

Key Tips to Prepare for the ACPT Test

  • Familiarize yourself with the test format: Learn more about the test process. There are online resources as well as guidelines from the aviation authorities. Many pilots take practice tests to better prepare.

  • Get your eyes tested: Before the actual test, go to an eye care professional and have a comprehensive eye exam. This will ensure your vision is at its best, so you can sit for the test with full confidence.

  • Practice colour identification: Familiarize yourself with colour identification under various lighting conditions. Training with tools such as Ishihara plates or online colour vision tests will improve your recognition skills.

  • Get sufficient rest: The best results are obtained when your mind and body are well-rested. Avoid fatigue before your test to ensure optimal focus during the assessment.

What to Do if You Have Colour Vision Deficiency

Being diagnosed with a colour vision deficiency (CVD) does not automatically disqualify you from an aviation career. However, it does require certain adaptations:

  • Colour-correcting Glasses: People who are suffering from CVD may wear colour-correcting glasses or lenses to see the world in vivid colours. These colour-correcting glasses reduce certain wavelengths so that more red, yellow, and green hues will be perceivable.

At COLORON, our optics are designed to eliminate specific wavelengths of light contributing to signal overlap. By changing the input to the visual system COLORON optics non-invasively amplify the red-green signals entering the eye, thereby creating a more complete visual experience.

  • Medical Assessments: Medical check-ups by an Aviation Medical Examiner are essential when you suffer from CVD to confirm if the deficit has caused you a hazard to carry out your line of activity. In some cases, compensatory measures, such as using special glasses or tools, may be acceptable.

Best Practices Before the Test

  • Review the Colour Schemes: Ensure that you’re familiar with the aviation instrument-related critical colours being used for colour schemes and signals. Read up on how red and green differ greatly from the rest, thereby putting themselves in a state of readiness.

  • Simulate Testing Conditions: Practice under light conditions similar to the actual test. Good lighting, dim lighting and other environmental settings can sometimes alter your perceptions of the colours, so it’s helpful to replicate these scenarios.

  • Don’t Be Nervous: Anxiety can impact your performance. Breathe deeper and more calmly as a clear mind will certainly help you interpret the colours correctly and confidently.

After the Test: What's Next?

After you have taken the Aviation Colour Perception Test, the results will be sent to the medical examiner for interpretation. If you pass the test, you will receive clearance to continue with your aviation training or career. If you fail the test, you may be recommended to undergo further evaluation or to explore alternative ways of satisfying the colour vision requirements, such as corrective lenses or re-test.

There are instances in which pilots with some levels of colour vision deficiency can be appointed for certain roles, given that they can perform other safety-critical tasks and use compensatory measures, such as colour-correcting glasses.

COLORON's High-Tech Colour Correcting Glasses

COLORON’s cost-effective colour vision deficiency glasses are designed to help individuals improve task performance by enhancing their ability to distinguish between reddish and greenish shades.

By filtering specific wavelengths, COLORON lenses amplify red-green colour signals, helping people with red-green colour vision deficiencies to see hues of green and red more clearly. This enhanced colour perception reduces errors, improves safety, and boosts productivity, particularly in roles relying on colour-coded tasks, like in aviation. With decades of research behind our technology, COLORON offers an affordable way to support an inclusive and visually accessible work environment for all.

Shop Our Best-Sellers

Aquilus 3-in-1 Glasses

Works for both protan and deutan colour vision deficiency!

  • Sleek round frames with a keyhole bridge and blue light filtering technology in the base plano lenses.

  • Includes 2 clip-on lenses: Strong for quick colour distinction and Xperience for enriched colour perception.

Flavus 3-in-1 Glasses

Works for both protan and deutan colour vision deficiency!

  • Compact, bold design. 

  • Includes 2 clip-on lenses: Strong for quick colour distinction and Xperience for enriched colour perception.

Ruber 3-in-1 Glasses

Works for both protan and deutan colour vision deficiency!

  • Our top choice: Lightweight design with sleek metal arms

  • 3-in-1 functionality: plano lenses with blue light filtering technology, Strong lenses for colour discrimination and Xperience lenses for more vivid colours.

Final Note

Preparing for the Aviation Colour Perception Test is an essential step in ensuring that aviation professionals can perform their duties safely and effectively. By familiarizing yourself with test requirements, practising colour recognition, and following best practices, you can improve your chances of success. 

*Please note that regulations in different countries may differ on the use of colour vision deficiency aids for certain jobs. Always check the regulations in your country.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

Subscribe to our newsletter!