Colorblindness

I'm no expert, but the FAA requires a level of color vision that allows one to:
- distinguish the colors on a Sectional Chart (map). This is important since the chart uses different colors to designate different types of controlled air spaces, etc.
- distinguish the colors of the control tower light signals. These are bright lights the tower uses to signal planes that have lost radio communications on whether it is okay to land or not.
- distinguish the various colors of runway and taxi lights for night flying and the airport beacon colors.

There are probably several other instances where color vision is important in flying.

It appears it is possible to get your Private Pilot's License and Medical Certificate with some degree of color blindness although it will likely have the restriction of no night flying and no flying by control of tower lights.

More specific info on this from the FAA to Medical Examiners here:
Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners

There is also the Sport Pilot License which is more limited on its usage and what type of plane you can fly, but it doesn't require a Medical Certificate, just a current valid Driver's License. Here is something I found on color blindness for a Sport Pilot License:

Source: http://www.sportpilot.org/learntofly/articles/questions.html
.

 

You can get a "Statement of Demonstrated Ability" ("SODA") and it's not an issue for any level of medical certificate-- meaning any level of US license, up to ATP. When I got mine, all I had to do was look at the light gun signals from the tower.

I believe they actually make you go fly now... it's supposed to be a bit harder to get, but still not an issue.

If you don't get a SODA, I believe you will be restricted to "No Night Flying"-- which I never understood.

See if you can pass ordinary test first, though.

 

When I did my medical, the Dr told me most people who don't already wear glasses, don't even know they have colour blindness until they go for the FAA medical, comes as quite a shock he said..