CF34

Hello guys,

I intend to start my pilot training course sometime in September or October this year. However, I am worried about the Class 2/Class 1 medicals. From what I have checked on the Internet, Class 1 is required before one actually joins an airline. Is it correct?

What worries me most is that I was actually obese for nearly 7-8 years of my life with my peak weight hitting nearly 120Kgs but since then, I have put in a lot of effort and lost a hell lot of weight and now weigh 81Kgs and my height is 174cms...my BMI is still around 28 and I am not color blind(plus my doctor said that my vision is normal too).

I am a healthy person, exercise regularly(5 times a week) and recently got my blood sugar checked which is normal but, my father has type 2 diabetes. Should this be a cause of concern? But, my biggest concern however is that I have a lot of hanging skin after my weight loss especially in the abdomen area. Will this lead to me failing any of the medicals? I am very very worried.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

CF34

av8r76

Best thing to do is start off with a class 2 and go from there. A high BMI in itself is not a reason to be declared unfit. You will, throughout your career , be subjected to more frequent testing to ensure your parameters are within limits, particularly your sugar levels. This will coincide with frequent ECGs, lipid profiles and other tests associated with degrading health generally associated with DM.
Also, a Class 1 is basically a prerequisite to your exercising the privileges of your license. You can fly privately, with a class 2 but not for reward or profit on any license. It is not an airline requirement but a regulatory one.
I would suggest a consult with an aviation medicine specialist who will be better equipped in guiding you through this integral requirement of being a pilot.
Good luck.

nitishmishra2007

I have a doubt regarding this. Lets say I am a pilot now and ten years down the line my med check-ups show I have diabetes. Will I be grounded from flying duties?

Fostex

It is worth reviewing JAR-FCL3 as it outlines the conditions that are compatible with class I and II cert.

In terms of diabetes mellitus there are two main types affecting adult males.

Type 1 diabetes: results from the body's failure to produce insulin, and presently requires the person to inject insulin. (Also referred to as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, IDDM for short, and juvenile diabetes.)
Type 2 diabetes: results from insulin resistance, a condition in which cells fail to use insulin properly, sometimes combined with an absolute insulin deficiency. (Formerly referred to as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, NIDDM for short, and adult-onset diabetes.)

Type 1 makes you unfit to fly and you will not be issued with either a class I or II. However based on your history you suspect yourself at risk of type 2. It is possible to get a class I with this condition provided the condition is correctly managed and with regular specialist and AME check ups.

You have done the right thing correcting your previously unhealthy lifestyle.

av8r76

There is a circular out on the procedure incase of DM. Refer to it at the dgca site. Should answer most of your questions.