Type I Diabetes And Flying
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Type I Diabetes And Flying
Any type 1 diabetic pilots controlling their condition with insulin out there that have lost their class one medical, please get in touch. Myself and a colleague have recently had this happen to us and we are now looking to get in touch with anyone else with the same condition. We are organising a get together in December to discuss how to move forward to appeal this case with the authority. There are Canadian Pilots out there with our condition commercially flying in and out of UK airspace and just for the fact that they are canadian gives them the right to do this. Whereas for us Europeans this is not allowed. Time for things to change!
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Sorry to hear that. The authorities have probably entered the world of risk management, and have likely taken the following factors into account.
Risk of IDDM pilot suffering hypoglycaemia.
Consequences of that risk.
Benefits of employing/not employing pilot with IDDM.
I guess your argument will have to focus on adjusting one of these factors, and perhaps knowledge from the Canadian guy's may help in this respect.
There is patient group in the UK (?BDA), who are pretty genned up on protecting the rights of diabetics, I wonder if there is an equivalent organisation in Canada?
One salient point, is that there are likely to be a lot more pilots in your position in the near future and there are a couple of reasons for this;
The obesity crisis is likely to tip more people into the category of Type II diabetes.
and,
Those with type II diabetes are likely to require insulin as an adjunct to oral medication earlier than they do at present-as a result of tighter control by clinicians. Present attempts at developing an oral adjunct have so far been unsuccessful.
My gut feeling, is, that at present, you'll be pis*ing in the wind, but good luck with your argument.
PS I'm not in any way affiliated with the google ad beneath my username!!
Risk of IDDM pilot suffering hypoglycaemia.
Consequences of that risk.
Benefits of employing/not employing pilot with IDDM.
I guess your argument will have to focus on adjusting one of these factors, and perhaps knowledge from the Canadian guy's may help in this respect.
There is patient group in the UK (?BDA), who are pretty genned up on protecting the rights of diabetics, I wonder if there is an equivalent organisation in Canada?
One salient point, is that there are likely to be a lot more pilots in your position in the near future and there are a couple of reasons for this;
The obesity crisis is likely to tip more people into the category of Type II diabetes.
and,
Those with type II diabetes are likely to require insulin as an adjunct to oral medication earlier than they do at present-as a result of tighter control by clinicians. Present attempts at developing an oral adjunct have so far been unsuccessful.
My gut feeling, is, that at present, you'll be pis*ing in the wind, but good luck with your argument.
PS I'm not in any way affiliated with the google ad beneath my username!!
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I know that the FAA will let people fly with IDDM but AFAIK only for class 3 on a special issuance and then only in US national airspace.
A raft of conditions to comply with.
Good luck.
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A raft of conditions to comply with.
Good luck.
<---any advertisement appearing in this sidebox is there courtesy of PPRuNe and is not an endorsement by me for any product or service.
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I believe in Canada, you can only fly with insulin-dependant diabetes if you meet certain control criteria, and only for a Class 1 medical restricted to "as or with co-pilot"
For Class 3s, (i.e. private pilots), you tear up your license if you have insulin-dependent diabetes. A class 4 (glider/ultralight) may be possible.
Lots of information here:
http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/Ca...betes/menu.htm
For Class 3s, (i.e. private pilots), you tear up your license if you have insulin-dependent diabetes. A class 4 (glider/ultralight) may be possible.
Lots of information here:
http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/Ca...betes/menu.htm
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There are Canadian Pilots out there with our condition commercially flying in and out of UK airspace and just for the fact that they are canadian gives them the right to do this.
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You have your facts wrong mate. There are Candadian Pilots flying in and out of Heathrow with IDDM. I have been in contact with one Air Canada Captain who flys 767 in and out of LHR FACT!
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Diabetes
I meant that it was not the case that they had the right to do this because they are Canadian not that it wasn't happening. However, I am surprised that pilots with IDDM are flying to the UK as they will be in breach of article 26(11)(b) of the ANO (which carries a penalty of up to two years imprisonment). Air Canada will also be in breach of their DfT permission to operate to the UK.
I meant that it was not the case that they had the right to do this because they are Canadian not that it wasn't happening. However, I am surprised that pilots with IDDM are flying to the UK as they will be in breach of article 26(11)(b) of the ANO (which carries a penalty of up to two years imprisonment). Air Canada will also be in breach of their DfT permission to operate to the UK.
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FAA allows diet-controlled diabetics access to all standards of medical. Insulin control means you can only get a class 3, but there are very strict rules which will disqualify you if you've had any hypoglycemic episodes in the past 5 years.
Apparently Canada is unique in allowing airline pilots to do this, but again, there are strict controls.
http://www.thestar.com/SpecialSectio...article/272050
Apparently Canada is unique in allowing airline pilots to do this, but again, there are strict controls.
http://www.thestar.com/SpecialSectio...article/272050
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I think it is..
I think its more hypoglycemic episodes which bring unconsiousness or require the intervention of another person. Yep there are candian airline pilots landing at Heathrow...
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Having locked horns with the CAA on a matter far more piffling than diabetes and got, well, nowhere... I wouldn't hold out for a fantastic prognosis. If I were you I'd go get myself an FAA Class 3 and an FAA PPL which you can quite happily use to fly a G-reg. If you're intention was to go down the commercial route the news obviously isn't so great (unless you emigrate to Canada), but best of luck if you decide to dig your heels in and take them on.
A. Individuals with ITDM who have no otherwise disqualifying conditions, especially significant diabetes-related complications such as arteriosclerotic coronary or cerebral disease, retinal disease, or chronic renal failure, will be evaluated for special issuance of a third-class medical certificate if they:
1. Have had no recurrent (two or more) hypoglycemic reactions resulting in a loss of consciousness or seizure within the past 5 years. A period of 1 year of demonstrated stability is required following the first episode of hypoglycemia; and
2. Have had no recurrent hypoglycemic reactions requiring intervention by another party within the past 5 years. A period of 1 year of demonstrated stability is required following the first episode of hypoglycemia; and
3. Have had no recurrent hypoglycemic reactions resulting in impaired cognitive function which occurred without warning symptoms within the past 5 years. A period of 1 year of demonstrated stability is required following the first episode of hypoglycemia.
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It is possible to avoid most hypos if you check regulary, eat the right sorts of food and think about what your doing! (Lots of walking is still using energy, having to rush around don't forget to snack and stop (check)!)What you say is true, the tighter you wish your control to be the more at risk you will be from hypos. I don't know about other IDDM's but I know when a Hypos comming on as I have good awareness, sometimes this is not the case in others and the fact that some people do take really good care of their diabetes and some others do not which is why a blanket ban on certain things in this world is unfair, 1 day I will be juged and assessed for the individual I am.
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No I'm not, I just know someone who is and looked into it for him a while back. As he has no intention of going commercial he's gone the FAA route and is quite happily flying around with his FAA PPL.
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Shunter,
if your mate is doing this and flies outside of the USA, is he violating what the special issuance 3rd class allows him to do.
IDDM special issuance 3rd class *specifically* mention that the use of the medical is restricted to the USA. It says "NOT VALID OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES" very clearly.
Reason being, FAA can derogate from ICAO rules as they please in their own territory, not so in foreign countries.
Wish I could be flying again single pilot private in Europe, but by the looks of it, I'll keep my 3rd class special issuance and happily fly in the US of A. Don't trust much EASA for such kind of changes, to be honest...
Nonetheless I fly from the right seat with friends, on their license!
Ciao, Luca
If I were you I'd go get myself an FAA Class 3 and an FAA PPL which you can quite happily use to fly a G-reg.
IDDM special issuance 3rd class *specifically* mention that the use of the medical is restricted to the USA. It says "NOT VALID OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES" very clearly.
Reason being, FAA can derogate from ICAO rules as they please in their own territory, not so in foreign countries.
Wish I could be flying again single pilot private in Europe, but by the looks of it, I'll keep my 3rd class special issuance and happily fly in the US of A. Don't trust much EASA for such kind of changes, to be honest...
Nonetheless I fly from the right seat with friends, on their license!
Ciao, Luca
Interestingly, I just asked my wife a simple question. "Would you be happy to fly in a commercial aircraft with two pilots up front both type 1 Diabetic?"
Her answer? Of course I would, why shouldn't I?
PS, She's Type 1 Insulin dependant, jut under 2 years, (no hypos so far requiring intervention etc)
Her answer? Of course I would, why shouldn't I?
PS, She's Type 1 Insulin dependant, jut under 2 years, (no hypos so far requiring intervention etc)
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She's Type 1 Insulin dependant, jut under 2 years, (no hypos so far requiring intervention etc)
I do my blood tests every 90 days, and control my blood sugar a minimum of 5 times a day. And that does not take into account when I have to comply with the FAA special issuance of my 3rd class.
And with the introduction to market of Continuous Glucose Monitors, or CGMs, which provide readings every 5 minutes or even less, the excuse of a possible hypoglicaemia is now a load of BS.
http://www.dexcom.com/
Type 1 diabetic for 12 years, with my CPL/ME/IR/MCC done back then and high hopes to make it to the airlines, self-grounded at 27 with type 1 diabetes, got my 3rd class special issuance 2 years ago, happily flying in the US of A.
And I still fly microlights here in Italy, where medical regulations don't prohibit people with diabetes from flying.
12 years, never had an hypo.
No hopes that medical regulations in Europe will ever change. So I am more than happy to be flying in the US, and I do real IFR over there, without much hassle!
Ciao, Luca