Type I Diabetes And Flying

[Bob Murphie]

Mate;

Ring McKeown on the link above.

Cheers,
Bob.

[cap2e]

Type 1 Diabetic.

It sure would be nice if the FAA would follow in the footsteps of ICAO and CAA and allow type 1 diabetics to fly.

[C172 Hawk XP]

follow in the footsteps of ICAO and CAA and allow type 1 diabetics to fly

The CAA (via JAA) do NOT allow type 1 diabetics to fly . . . . . .

. . . . . . . this is from the JAA Civil Aviation Medicine manual :

Type 1 diabetics requiring exogenous insulin are unfit to fly. The intrinsic risks of the disease itself
are further increased by that of hypoglycaemia. No present injection regime or insulin infusion
pumps are sufficiently efficient to act as an artificial pancreas. Nevertheless, progress in such

developments as islet transplantation may require consideration in the future

[Aer Doctor]

Any pilot requiring Insulin for control of Diabetes is not allowed to flying by any agency . Only Oral Hypoglycemic agents like Metformin is permitted that to in limited dosage.

[gingernut]

Unfortunately, the big issue, is that more and more NIDDM's will be converted to IDDM's.

Defyning diabetics as Type 1 or 2 probably isn't that helpful.

NIDDM's=Non Insulin Dependent Diabetic Mellitus
IDDM's= Insulin Dependent Diabetic Mellitus

Which raises a question for the AME's-do we let this man fly at the cost of his health? (or Vice Versa)

A question which needs resolution.

[BeechNut]

I believe in Canada that an insulin-dependent diabetic can fly, provided (s)he is low-risk and previously held a class 1 medical. Also the license will be marked "as or with co-pilot".

So for all us scud-runners in spam cans we're out of luck, but an airline pilot may get to keep his license.

Relevant documentation:

TP 13312 - Handbook for Civil Aviation Medical Examiners

[C172 Hawk XP]

pilots and insulin . . . . . .

I believe in Canada that an insulin-dependent diabetic can fly

Two points to note on this. I believe that approval for persons with IDDM to fly depends on their agreeing (by signing a legally binding document) to treat their diabetes sub-optimally on days when they intend to fly. Maintaining less than perfect control of the BS is thought to reduce the risk of a potentially catastrophic hypo attack. But the flip side of that is that frequent sub-optimal control probably increases the risk of developing some of the longer term complications of diabetes. Not a nice choice to have to make !

but an airline pilot may get to keep his license

Secondly, it makes much more safety sense to try this radical change, initially at any rate, in a multi-crew environment. That way, if the pilot with IDDM does have a hypo, the other guy is there to take over, and a certain disaster is avoided !

[FatFlyer]

It's good to let someone keep their medical/job if you possibly can and I am at the age where Diabetes is possibilty.

However, if you have ever seen someone have a hypo, it is often not just like the incapacition we practice in the sim where you pass out or don't respond.
They can become aggresive, impossible to reason with and completely unmanigeable through no fault of their own until there blood glucose is restored.

The thought of wrestling with the controls while the cabin crew struggle to inject them with glucagon is quite worrying. I would not like to fly, or fly with someone else with this condition.

[nuclear weapon]

I know someone who is hypo and has been flying commercially although not in Europe.

[C172 Hawk XP]

absolutely right !

They can become aggressive, impossible to reason with and completely unmanageable, through no fault of their own until their blood glucose is restored

A brilliant resume, in literally one sentence, of just why the present regulations are in place !

Thank you. Have you ever thought of applying for a job at the JAA regulations drafting department ?

I know someone who is hypo and has been flying commercially

. . . . . . not simultanously, one hopes.

[Flyin'Dutch']

Any pilot requiring Insulin for control of Diabetes is not allowed to flying by any agency . Only Oral Hypoglycemic agents like Metformin is permitted that to in limited dosage.

Incorrect.

The FAA allows IDDM pilots fly in US airspace; the Canadians will let them fly abroad. And the UK CAA will let insulin dependent pilots fly in UK airspace on a National PPL in the restricted category.

http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/49/SRG_MEDNPPLDiabetesV2.pdf

[DiabeticPilot]

Interesting post, do you have more info or a link for the Canadian licence. As stated elsewhere the US allow limited ops with type I diabetes, I think it is possible to instruct with diabetes there. And the UK allows you to fly light single engined planes on your own, without any passengers, on a NPPL.

Thanks in advance

[Flyin'Dutch']

No, dont have any more information on the Canadian situation.

Not sure if the FAA allows commercial ops for insulin dependent diabetics, but as I said before only allowed in US National Airspace.

The UK situation as you say.

See you are in Andorra; know nothing about the situation there.

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[whizzjet]

Canadian Diabetic airline pilot

see:
http://www.diabetesvoice.org/files/a...icle_37_en.pdf

Despite some of the hysterical comments above, diabetic control is now light years ahead of even 10 years ago. The chances of a professional pilot, including insulin dependent, having a Hypoglycemic attack are reduced to effectively zero. However, this is achieved by them demonstrating excellent, not good but excellent, blood sugar control for a substantial period before being granted a restricted "as or with a co-pilot" class I medical.

It is only logical that we will see a move to insulin dependent pilots flying with all classes of medical within the jar-ops/easa sphere. The question now is not so much the management of blood sugar control, but much more the monitoring and avoidance of diabetic complications. In the future this will be regarded in the same manner as flying on medication for high blood pressure.

[Saab Dastard]

Those with an interest in Type 1 diabetes and flying may be interested in this thread in the private flying forum:

http://www.pprune.org/private-flying...light-usa.html

SD