Type 2 diabetes treatments
 

I know this is an old subject, but a question to all you flying doctors out there, i am a non insulin dependant type 2 diabetic who has tried most of the listed allowed drugs for flying, and currently find myself on "gliclazide" which keeps me grounded.
I have both CAA and FAA licences, my question is are there any new products out there, or changes in current products that may be acceptable to either authority?

Diabetes Type 2
 

Hi,

I have diabetes type 2, diagnosed years ago, no problems and controlled by tablets.

Also have tablets for high blood pressure.

Is there any chance with above i could obtain a class 2 medical for a PPL.

Have held a PPL back in 80's which lapsed.

If not, would above get me a NPPL? What's auw allowed with this licence?

Age 52 - now thinking bodies been abused a bit too muck (lol)

Any info, advice welcome, just checking with the board before i wrote to CAA to see if possible as someone must have been here before me

Thanks

From the Class 2 point of view it will depend on what medication you take, how well controlled your diabetes is and whether you have any complications from your diabetes.

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

http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/49/SRG_MedDiabeticRx[BothClasses].pdf
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/49/2008020...nAlgorithm.pdf

These might answer some of your questions.

The NPPL site will be your best source of into about the MTOW etc.

Althought there is some alarm about the fate of the NPPLs when the LAPL comes from EASA.
kui

As a holder of the old CAA PPL rather than the newer JAR-PPL, if you pass the medical there is a possibility that your PPL was originally valid for the holders lifetime. Meaning that even though you have not flown for many years you remain the holder of a UK CAA PPL but with no valid class or type rating. Check in Lasors but if this is the case you will probably just have to renew your single engine piston rating (assuming this is what you wish to fly) and there will be no specified minimum training required - just what your instructor deems is sufficient to achieve competency and pass the SEP flight test.

Hi - thanks for the replies,

:ok: Kui2324 -

thanks for the info. Looks hopeful as seems pretty similar to requirements on NPPL for diabetes with tablets, eg met DVLA group requirements. So think i'm ok there with a bit luck on this one.

:ok: Pelikanpete -

Thanks, was aware that there are some type of grandfather rights to old CAA PPL A's. However, think i read somewhere that they are trying to get rid of them on the lifetime basis by not letting anyone actually be able to sign off CAA only JAA licences and hence the need to convert it to a JAA which is on a renewal fee basis. As regards experience its been a long time since 1992 so doing the whole thing wouldn't be a bad idea albeit more expensive,

Actos is used to treat for the Diabetes Type-2.It is the best medicines for the Diabetes.

Getting ATPL with type 2 diabetes
 

I have been a type 2 diabetic for the past 6 years. In that time I have managed to get my PPL(h). I was wondering has there been any update on the whole issue of commercial pilots and type 2 diabetics. I know that if you are a commercial pilot and get type 2, you can hold on to your license. Can I get my ATPL's with my current situation or is it still the same?

Fitness for aviation duties amongst Type 2 Diabetics depends upon a stringent evaluation (to exclude common complications of diabetes; assessment of the degree of control; weight and blood glucose measurements); and regular additional review (Eyes for retinopathy and vitreous opacities; Neurological for evidence of neuropathy; blood tests including biochemistry, [HbA1], renal function, liver function and plasma proteins, plus fasting blood lipids and cholesterol; cardiological review; and urinary tests for detecting early renal damage).

You have reasons to be optimistic since diabetes not requiring insulin administration and without any complications is considered compatible with flying status. Quoting from the JAR Manual of Civil Aviation Medicine, 2009 para "6.7 [Aeromedical assessment] [rest snipped] Type 2 diabetics fully controlled on diet alone may be [assessed as] fit [for] Class 1 and Class 2 [without limitations], subject to detailed follow-up at periodic medical examinations or at least annually. Those requiring [treatment with] biguanide [glitazones, the combination of glitazones with biguanides] or alpha-glucosidase inhibitors in addition may be acceptable [with a multi-pilot (Class 1 ‘OML’) limitation for Class 1 applicants] and [without limitation for] Class 2 [applicants,] but the follow-up would need to be more stringent, namely 6 monthly. The use of sulphonylureas, [Repaglinide or Nateglinide] is unacceptable except for Class 2 [with a safety pilot (Class 2 ‘OSL’) limitation]."

Hope this helps :)
In case you need any more clarifications, please send me a PM.

For pilots who have lost medicals due to diabetes!!
 

I thought this might e of interest after seeing it myself:

JDRF Flying With Diabetes Day – White Waltham Airfield, 17 September

The first JDRF Flying With Diabetes Day is being held at White Waltham Airfield, 35 miles to the west of London, near Maidenhead and Reading. Douglas Cairns, Karl Beetson, George Duncan and Kathryn Ontari will be giving talks about piloting with type 1 diabetes, including a recent flight to the North Pole, ballooning across the English Channel, a 14-hour Vans RV8 flight and planned gyrocopter flight around Britain's coast.

A draw will be held for 6 flights to be given by Douglas and George in a RV8 and Piper Cub. come along! (You can register for this event on JDRF Events Flying with Diabetes - Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF)

Type 1 diabetes
 

Hi,
I have just been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent). I have been flying round commercially single pilot IFR and wondering if there is anyone out there who has got there single pilot medical back or even 2 pilot? If so how long did it take to get back to work? Am I banging my head against a brick wall? :ugh:
Cheers

In the UK, (and Europe I think) you cannot fly or be an ATCO if you have type 1 diabetes regardless of what medication you take, or type 2 which is insulin controlled.
(It is permissable under certain circumstances to be operational with type 2 if the condition is tablet controlled).

Very frustrating, but I am afraid that Type 1 Diatbetes usually signifies the end of flying or controlling at the sharp end. It doesn't preclude you from being a ground based instructor or other similar avaition jobs though.

Good luck.

Thank you for your reply's. Do you know if people in Aus can get a commercial 2 pilot? or is it just Canada allowing it?

I too suffer from Type 1 Diabetes. Although, the DVLA have recently revised their requirements for T1's to obtain a Group 2 driving license.
As such, I was pretty sure I read somewhere that the CAA will also permit it subject to stringent rules.

However, I'm not sure if i'm confusing the N-PPL and fully fledged PPL rules.

By recently, I mean since the start of the year.

I'd be interested to see if this is the case or if I've just missed the point :O

Adam.

Transport Canada has allowed pilots to fly with type 1 Diabetes. There was some article on that subject ( refer to: Flying on Insulin | My Life With Diabetes)

I was flying as an ATPLwith type 2 diabetes for about 5 years before I retired. The medicals were very thorough and in my case every 3 months with several specialists following my case.

Hope this help!

CAA and Diabetes
 

I just wanted to highlight a recent press release from the CAA concerning class 1,2 and 3 medicals and diabetes. As the press release states, the CAA will be granting the medical to people with diabetes (both type 1 and 2, incuding those treaded with insulin) subject to stringent testing regimes and overall proof of excellent management of the disease.

CAA to issue medical certificates to pilots and air traffic controllers with insulin-treated diabetes | CAA Newsroom | About the CAA

That is fantastic news - well done CAA!

Thank you very much Ozymandias!! you have made my week. Has anyone actually got there medical back yet under this new rule? Good luck to anyone trying!!

airline training and diabetes type 1
 

Caa have announced that pilots and atc controllers are able to carry on normal duties if they are stable however what is the situation for someone who has been accepted to join a school like ctc but is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes :mad::confused:

Got a class 1 medical?

Airlines won't take on a new entrant with diabetes 1 period.