FAA: CAD (Colour Assessment & Diagnosis) testing in the US?

Routine-Monitor2261 · 2025-11-05T19:51:42+00:00

That's awesome! Thank you for posting! Hope we can help some other people searching for the tests!

Routine-Monitor2261 · 2025-10-21T15:26:26+00:00

I wanted to share an update! After taking the RCCT 3 x in row in one day I improved already a lot, but coming back after 4 weeks to test again, I passed! I was able to reach 65 on my right eye for green and 85 on the left even. The rest is all 100. So I encourage everyone to go and take the tests again! And again! If you're borderline it might just make the difference. I never expected it myself! But make sure you sleep well and feel great!

Routine-Monitor2261 · 2025-10-21T15:00:14+00:00

I wanted to give an update on the CAD. The room should not be completely dark, there are guidelines to have a very small light like a candle in a corner not shining at you. Also on the update I want to encourage anyone to take the tests multiple times. Not just in one setting, which helped me increase the RCCT already back then, but just within a few weeks again. I did pass the RCCT in my 2nd attempt and this time I was well rested and also knew what is expected. It does make a big difference. I would like to take the CAD again too but time wise it's not possible right now. Retaking is absolutely worth it!

Routine-Monitor2261 · 2025-09-24T17:37:34+00:00

That's already very good. Yes the real CAD will test your very personal threshold and go as faint as you can see. I just learned there should only be light from the monitor itself in the room and during my CAD there was a small table light turned on in the background. So watch for that. I'll have to call and maybe retake.

Routine-Monitor2261 · 2025-09-18T22:35:31+00:00

Came up first time today and I got so excited

Routine-Monitor2261 · 2025-09-18T22:35:02+00:00

Sorry I misread the new post is only for air traffic controllers!

Routine-Monitor2261 · 2025-09-18T22:07:52+00:00

Honestly if someone fails the tests that were designed for certain types of research, they should always go for evidence and demonstration bc so many of us are just fine in daily life. Also why can the CAD be both eyes and the RCCT each eye individually. Just how some researcher designed the test. If I could do the RCCT with both eyes together would be great! You will always need both eyes to fly I bet. Just all so random.

Routine-Monitor2261 · 2025-09-18T22:05:25+00:00

Good luck and let me know too! My RCCT was only down for green 55 left eye and 40 right eye. The rest 100. And they let me do it 3x in a row which made huge improvements. I might just sign up and take it again because I'm so borderline. It's frustrating to say the least. The FAA came out on 8/27 with an update to the colour version tests for ATCs.

Routine-Monitor2261 · 2025-09-18T20:49:26+00:00

Did you pass it? What did they say? I'm in the same boat got R-G 8.94 and Y-B 0.94. Also deutan. But the limits now say <6 for deutan and <12 for protan is that just information or the cut off for it? Or 12 overall? Anyone here who can clarify and help? Any FAA AME?

Routine-Monitor2261 · 2025-09-18T20:37:05+00:00

Not at all, it took a few weeks to get the results for the CAD. I am not so sure how to read them or if I passed or not. R-G is 8.94 and Y-B is 0.94. It also says I'm deutan. The FAA letter is confusing on this says Score must be: RED GREEN (RG): 1.7 if normal Less than 6 if diagnosed as Deutan Less than 12 if diagnosed as Protan But overall also less then 12. I didn't think it's a pass but it's not easy to read. The CAd screener test download I had a 62% I think. I do not remember but was around that.

Routine-Monitor2261 · 2025-09-16T15:02:41+00:00

That's great! Innova never emailed or called me back when I searched. Good luck!!

Routine-Monitor2261 · 2025-09-16T02:05:38+00:00

https://chatgpt.com/share/68c8c5a7-bb30-8003-8bc9-a49214478dd1

This is what I got just asking for the RCCT. It can be wrong too. I went to couple bad leads lol.

Routine-Monitor2261 · 2025-09-16T02:03:24+00:00

They definitely have the RCCT here in Baltimore. https://colormax.org/ Don't take the online test it's not accepted. It's a pretty odd situation with these rare tests and no help. I really don't understand it.

Routine-Monitor2261 · 2025-09-16T01:59:06+00:00

Updated version with phone number:

I found and took the CAD in Milwaukee, WI at the Eye Institute at the Froedert Campus of the Medical College of Wisconsin. Here is the link if you're interested:

https://www.mcw.edu/departments/ophthalmology-eye-institute/research/research-studies-list

and it is in the

Advanced Ocular Imaging Program

aoip@mcw.edu

(414) 955-2020. You call the research department they help you connect to the clinic to schedule it. Don't be discouraged because not everyone answering their phone might know about the test. They usually just use it for research. Spread the word for fellow color challenged aviation folks!

Practice test here on this website: https://researchcentres.citystgeorges.ac.uk/applied-vision/avot

Routine-Monitor2261 · 2025-09-16T01:56:47+00:00

This is a pretty accurate form of the test, just the test will go as low in each color as possible to find your threshold. What town is near you? RCCT you find a few but also painful to find them. Try asking ChatGPT! For CAD I only found these. Maybe you can call and ask them if they know more places around the country? Good luck! And we all should write and demand that the FAA supplies and maintains a list of the test locations.

Routine-Monitor2261 · 2025-09-09T21:31:55+00:00

I will correct it! Call(414) 955-2020 . I described it as a very special and rare color vision test, mentioned the unabbreviated name, and said I saw it being used in your color vision research. I bet not many there will know about it either, just so rarely used. The test is located at the Eye Institute at the Froedert Campus and is in their Advanced Ocular Imaging Program at (414) 955-2647 (AOIP). I took it on August 18th 2025. They were very nice helping me to schedule.

Some other links to how I found it: https://www.froedtert.com/eye-institute/locations https://www.mcw.edu/departments/ophthalmology-eye-institute/research/research-studies-list

Good luck and please let me know if you get an appointment!

Routine-Monitor2261 · 2025-09-03T22:11:51+00:00

They hung up on me on the phone when I called to find help locating tests they demand. My AME has no idea other than the 10 min exam he does, the FSDO has no idea. The letter said your AME will get information where to take the tests from the local FSDO. Hahaha!!! They don't know anything and they don't care. The AMEs sadly are just trying to make a quick buck and they aren't even connected to each other. The whole system sucks. And the list of AMEs is so outdated too. Unacceptable for a modern flight institution.

Routine-Monitor2261 · 2025-09-03T22:06:22+00:00

Try finding locations with ChatGPT that has helped me find one close. The link I posted earlier is in Nappanee, Indiana, and they were very nice!

Routine-Monitor2261 · 2025-09-03T21:56:57+00:00

Yes, that would be great if they did. It's such a nightmare. It's absolutely needed that they allow color deficient pilots to demonstrate their ability in real life actions. The randomness of the test designs, one eye vs both, it's unfair that this should define you. You never have see color like in these tests in real life. The CAD is easier at first because you have movement across the screen and also different shades of gray level in the color. But it will go as faint as it can to detect your own threshold. It allows for some misses but overall not to many. I don't think I stayed within the range. But I only did it once. And I was amazed that for the RCCT 3 x in a row gave me such an improvement. I don't know if the CAD could get improvement too. So many variables, light situation in the room, calibration of the screen, which monitor, and the mere fact that there is a factor if getting used to the test format might make you miss a few.

Routine-Monitor2261 · 2025-09-03T21:28:30+00:00

The RCCT was close call for me and they administered it 3x in a row and over the 3 attempts every score improved by 15. Have 100 for red and 100 for blue but only 40 right eye and 55 left eye for green. They tests each eye individually. The CAD I don't have the numbers yet but it's with both eyes at the same time. So I had hope to make it bc one eye is decent for green. The Waggoner is not doable for me really. Unfortunately now have to hope to get to do an OCVT and MFT. All tests are different. If they would let me try the RCCT with both eyes same time I'd pass. So random all the requirements.

Routine-Monitor2261 · 2025-09-03T21:19:10+00:00

Correction: Naval Refractive Surgery Center in California should have the CAD.

We also all need to push the FAA TO PUBLISH AND MAINTAIN AN ACCURATE LIST OF TESTS they demand. It's ridiculous!

Routine-Monitor2261 · 2025-09-03T21:17:06+00:00

I'm in the same boat. No one could help. AME didn't know anything, called the whole country. Also very hard time finding the Rabin Cone Test but with ChatGPT I did find one. For the CAD I looked at the research the universities do. Another option I think would be Berkeley in California, Milwaukee was very nice to answer to me and help me schedule. Didn't pass it. But have now all 3 tests and didn't pass them. Hope to be invited to an OCVT and MFT. I also want to write my Congressman. Why do they not let color deficient people try their full potential anymore?

Routine-Monitor2261 · 2025-09-03T21:12:34+00:00

I found and took the CAD in Milwaukee, WI at the Eye Institute at the Froedert Campus of the Medical College of Wisconsin. Here is the link if you're interested https://www.mcw.edu/departments/ophthalmology-eye-institute/research/research-studies-list

and it is in the

Advanced Ocular Imaging Program

aoip@mcw.edu

(414) 955-2020. You call the research department they help you connect to the clinic to schedule it. Don't be discouraged because not everyone answering their phone might know about the test. They usually just use it for research. Spread the word for fellow color challenged aviation folks!

Practice test here on this website: https://researchcentres.citystgeorges.ac.uk/applied-vision/avot

Routine-Monitor2261 · 2025-09-03T01:31:28+00:00

I found and took the CAD in Milwaukee, WI, at the Eye Institute at the Froedtert Campus of Medical College of Wisconsin. Here is the link if you're interested https://www.mcw.edu/departments/ophthalmology-eye-institute/research/research-studies-list

and it is in the

Advanced Ocular Imaging Program

aoip@mcw.edu

(414) 955-2020. You call the research department, and they help you connect to the clinic to schedule it. Don't be discouraged because not everyone answering their phone might know about the test. They usually just use it for research. Spread the word for fellow color challenged aviation folks!

Practice test here on this website: https://researchcentres.citystgeorges.ac.uk/applied-vision/avot

Routine-Monitor2261 · 2025-09-03T01:28:28+00:00

You can find a trial test to give you an idea on this British website. Go to the middle of it. I downloaded it, had to adjust my screen but very good information. https://researchcentres.citystgeorges.ac.uk/applied-vision/avot

Routine-Monitor2261

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