VISION Study Final Dissemination Conference

Colour Vision Requirements for Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers in Modern Aviation Environments

Advancing colour vision assessment through scientific evidence

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) invites aeromedical examiners (AMEs), medical assessors, ophthalmologists, other eye care specialists involved in the medical assessment of aviation personnel, and representatives of aviation personnel to attend the final dissemination conference of the VISION research project, taking place on 15 and 16 March 2027 at EASA Headquarters in Cologne, Germany.

The conference will present the main findings and recommendations of the VISION study, which examines whether current colour vision requirements for pilots and air traffic controllers (ATCOs) remain appropriate for today's increasingly digital aviation environments.

What will the conference cover?

The conference will present the outcomes of the VISION study, including the scientific evidence gathered to assess the colour vision requirements associated with contemporary cockpit and air traffic control environments.
Key topics will include:

• Colour vision demands in modern aviation: Identification of safety-critical tasks involving colour-coded information and assessment of the colour vision capabilities needed to perform these tasks safely.
• The influence of operational and environmental conditions: Consideration of how factors such as ambient lighting, display characteristics, time of day, low visibility and weather conditions may affect colour perception.
• Diagnostic methods and testing thresholds: Evaluation of existing colour vision tests and the identification of suitable approaches for assessing the colour vision capabilities required for aviation duties.
• Distinguishing between colour-safe and colour-unsafe applicants: Scientific evidence supporting the identification of applicants whose colour vision capabilities are compatible with the relevant operational demands.
• Implications for aero-medical practice and regulation: Presentation of the study's conclusions and recommendations concerning potential adjustments to existing requirements, diagnostic approaches and professional training.
  The conference will provide an opportunity to explore the relevance of these findings to the medical assessment of pilots and air traffic controllers and to consider how scientific evidence can inform future developments in colour vision assessment.

Who should attend?

The conference is particularly relevant to professionals involved in the medical assessment of pilots and air traffic controllers, including:

• Aeromedical examiners (AMEs);
• Medical assessors working for national aviation authorities;
• Ophthalmologists and other eye care specialists involved in aero-medical examinations or colour vision assessment;
• Representatives of national aviation authorities and organisations responsible for aero-medical certification; and
• Representatives of pilots, air traffic controllers and other aviation personnel with an interest in colour vision requirements and their implications for fitness assessment.
  By bringing together medical professionals, scientific experts and relevant aviation stakeholders, the event will support the exchange of knowledge between those involved in colour vision research, clinical assessment and the application of aero-medical requirements.

About the VISION project

The VISION project, Colour vision requirements in the new full glass cockpit environment and modern ATCO consoles, is an EASA-managed research project funded under the European Union's Horizon Europe programme.

Conducted by the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR), in consortium with the University of South-Eastern Norway, the project aims to assess the suitability of existing colour vision requirements for pilots and ATCOs in modern working environments.
Its main objectives are to establish the colour vision capabilities needed to perform relevant aviation duties safely and to identify suitable diagnostic methods and testing thresholds for aero-medical assessment.

The project's findings are intended to support evidence-based decision-making on colour vision assessment and potential regulatory developments, contributing to aviation safety while ensuring that requirements reflect the demands of contemporary aviation technology.
For further information about the research objectives and progress, visit the VISION project webpage