I currently hold a Class I medical and have over 1,600 hours in complex aircraft. I have never had a problem with seeing red, green or white and cannot even begin to express how frustrating it is that the FAA has recently changed the rules to have all pilots who rely on the FALANT to prove their color perception to take it once a year (previously it was once a lifetime and you’re good).

That’s a massive amount of pressure when your occupation is riding on a test that is in excess of 40 years old, and is becoming harder and harder to locate. I trust they have their reasons but the bottom line is sometimes you need to fight for your dreams. Never let someone tell you that you cannot do something. Hammer down, do the deed, and do your best.

It will be good enough.

Over the years I convinced myself that I must have an incredibly weak color deficiency or near normal vision as I have never had trouble distinguishing colors and was passing color vision tests even for my first class medicals. So I thought it would be safe to try to fly for the Air Force. After passing the initial medical and getting my pilot slot I was medically disqualified at Brooks. They gave me a whopping 8 different color vision tests, most of them plate tests, testing different anomalies. They concluded I have a moderate to severe color deficiency! I was absolutely blown away. The doctor asked me if I could tell the difference between red and green on stoplights; there is clearly a considerably amount of ignorance in the authorities who decide our fate.

I know through many experiences and accomplishments I am a very qualified and capable individual. I am now disqualified from a huge number of occupations without the option of a wavier.

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/437/who-decided-red-means-stop-and-green-means-go

And, of course, we cannot use black as one of the colors to carry information as it is the background color, upon which the others are superimposed.

Best regards,
Bruno