Colour blind pilot to captain flights

A colour blind pilot from Queensland has become the first such person in Australia given clearance to captain a passenger jet.

John O'Brien, 31, has successfully challenged restrictions imposed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) that prevented him holding an open air transport pilot licence needed to captain a large airliner.

Under CASA regulations, pilots with colour vision deficiency (CVD) have been unable to progress further than first officer.

Mr O'Brien, who has poor red/green colour vision, challenged the restrictions in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal in Brisbane.

The tribunal upheld the appeal last Friday, noting Mr O'Brien's "impeccable" flying record.

"We are satisfied that with the conditions we propose to confirm, he will not be a risk to the safety of air navigation as a consequence of his sight deficiency," the written judgment by Justice Robert Benjamin and Member William Isles said.

Mr O'Brien's clearance only applies to flights within Australia, he must fly with a co-pilot at night and he must inform employers and other crew members of his colour vision deficiency.

The decision opens the door to legal challenges by other colour blind pilots.

Virgin Independent Pilots Association executive director Simon O'Hara said it was a significant vote of confidence for such pilots.

"There's been no documented reasons in Australian aviation, and indeed around the world, that raises a safety concern about CVD pilots," Mr O'Hara told AAP.

"We see this as a level-headed approach by the tribunal in these circumstances."