Microlight a good choice for a diabetic?
 

Hi everybody.

Apologies if this question has already been asked ( I had a look around and nothing quite seemed to fit) but I have a couple of questions and I'm having difficulty finding the answers I'm looking for.

Allow to explain my situation. I'm 25 years old and I've been a type 1 (insulin dependant) diabetic since I was 15, While I'm not financially in a position yet to start leaning to fly I would love to be able to fly sometime in the future. When I was younger I was planning on becoming an airline pilot, but that didn't happen for obvious reasons.

I did look at the NPPL for light aircraft but I figured if I can't take a non pilot up and I can't go out of the UK then what's the point? Then I started looking at microlights. I know the UK requires a license to fly a micro and the US doesn't (up to a certain weight) but what about the rest of the world? I'm having real trouble getting info on the licensing requirements and medical standards for specific countries. Is there anywhere else in the world where I can either hop in and go or get a license as a diabetic? I have this crazy dream of doing a long distance trip sometime in the future.

Or am I going to have to hop over to Africa and give a doctor a load of cash to get my medical certificate?:E

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks

Medical standards for NPPL(M) and NPPL(SSEA) are the same, but it is generally easier for a microlight flown by an NPPL(M) holder to fly across European borders because of historical agreements set up years ago by the BMAA and others, than it is for a light aircraft flown by an NPPL(SSEA) holder.

So yes, I think that microlights may well be the way ahead - but any international flight will be in your own aeroplane, or with an instructor in a local aeroplane. No variation of NPPL has validity in a non-G aeroplane.

G

I don't think you'll get any sort of aviation medical anywhere if you are Type One and Insulin Dependant.
Check with your local AME (Aero Medical Examiner) or the CAA Medical Branch.

AFAIK there is no medical requirement at all for a French microlight license. I'd like to be sure though, since I wish to go for that license this year. Not that is really an issue for me, just a point of administrative concern.

NB do not be confused by the difference in definitions: what is called a microlight in the UK and an ultralight in Europe is (more or less) an LSA in the USA, and typically seats two. The US'an ultralight is indeed "ultra" light and can only carry its pilot.

France indeed has no medical requirement for microlight pilots, so may be worth investigating. Meanwhile have a look at these websites and especially what Doug Cairns has achieved.
Pilots with Diabetes : related sites

Genghis, I was under the impression that NPPL (SSEA) holders could fly to France or am I mistaken?

Jan,

The only issue for those seeking a French ULM licence is having an address in France. Your Southern countrymen will advise how this can be resolved. :)

Le brevet de pilote

France on an NPPL SSEA:

https://www.sia.aviation-civile.gouv...2010_13_EN.pdf


http://www.lightaircraftassociation....CE%20NOTES.pdf

Patowalker, the site you mentioned was known to me but my gratitude is none the less. Frankly though, the requirement to have an address in France was unknown to me, neither did I find it mentioned at that website. But as you said, my instructor will explain.
Thank you indeed!

Check Chapter 3 for the Class 2 medical requirements that apply to diabetics wishing to obtain an NPPL that allows them to carry passengers.

At a glance guide to the current medical standards of fitness to drive

Drop me an pm with your email and I will be able to sort you out with a medical on the NPPL which will allow passenger carrying providing you meet certain criteria. I and several others in my organisation Pilots With Diabetes have the medical. We are also advocates and campaigning to bring about a change in the regulations to allow a system for commercial flying with diabetes like the Canadians and also to bring great private privileges like the Americans...if you drop me a PM I could tell you about our next little group meeting in London at the RAF (very nice venue and nice little bar afterwards! :ok: )

I will also add: if your thinking about flex wing micro lighting then it will be a pain in the ass to test in the air...I have done some flying this way and its not easy or fun....if you are going this route...I would recommend investing in a continuous glucose monitor system (www.dexcom.com)...essentially its like a digital fuel gauge for the body and will be easier than a blood test and also will give warnings of highs and lows. I use a system and so does Douglas and we can both happily guarantee what when we are flying we will not go low/hypo!

I will also add...if you want a license to fly anything including a jet (providing you can afford it and had the type training) then the FAA PPL is the way forward on a special issuance class 3 medical. Only downside is its only valid within US airspace....but there is a lot of airspace to fly-in. Ive done several records as a passenger with Douglas and I can vouche the US system is far better than the NPPL here.

Dougie and I are good friends and I have been honoured to be aboard his to record breaking flights (DF48 & DF50) and assisting in this years Diabetes Polar Flight...which will be amazing!

____________________________________________________________ ______

France indeed has no medical requirement for microlight pilots, so may be worth investigating. Meanwhile have a look at these websites and especially what Doug Cairns has achieved.

All the best,

Karl Beetson aka Diabeetson!

According to this www site Canada will accept Type 1 diabetics as commercial pilots. If the Canadians are also prepared to accept Type 1 for private pilots you may be able to consider gaining the privileges of a full private pilot’s licence there. Canada is a big place with some spectacular and varied scenery that you can enjoy flying around if you are interested in flying long trips.

Flying on Insulin - Diabetes Health

The Canadian PPL is still somewhat behind the FAA PPL...with regards to freedom and privileges. Australia have only just allowed solo flight with IDDM on the condition you use a continuous glucose meter...prior to this it was with a safety pilot at all times!

Stephen Steele who is a type 1 IDDM airline pilot for air Canada... regularly flies in and out of Europe at the helm of a 777.... despite no european country certifying any IDDM airline pilots!

Not much use, unless you are going to fly a French registered microlight, which you could only do for a limited period in the UK.

Sub-ICAO licences do not entitle you to fly an aircraft on a foreign register.

Hello guys,

I myself am a type 1 diabetic and I have got a NPPL(M).
I've done approx 100 hrs in a Quik 912S and love every second of it.

In some cases it has been a bit challenging to test my sugar levels in the air due to turbulence often caused by the mountaines terrain around our field, but I have managed to stick to the rules. Often by starting a climb or descent or further away from the mountains to look for more stable air.

If I could find stabeler air it I took 10gr of Carbohydrates and as soon as I got into stable air I tested my sugar levels.

So to get back onto a question if it is possible to test your sugar levels in an open microlight than the answer is YES.

The sugar tester I'm using is ideal as it is the ACCU-Check Mobile 50 teststrips on a roll, so no need to fiddle around with putting a sugar test strip in the machine and code it. That save a lot of hassle and time.
I also have an elastic band around it so that if I drop it it doesn't fall to the earth or through my propellor.

I'm very grateful for the CAA and a NPPL medical advisor in particular who have allowed me to fly again.

So if you want to do it,go for it! It's awesome!

Kind regards,
Jan

Thank you everybody, lots of helpful links and a lot to think about.

I know that in a lot of countries foot launched micros (PPGs etc) usually don't need a license to operate, but are there any countries that have similar laws for Ultralights (the US definition) ?

it seems you want flying thats not to heavy on the pocket and can with diabetes...why not a NPPL (M) microlight on a 3 axis fixed wing microlight?

Foot launched hang-gliders & paragliders do not need a licence in the UK - so no medical is needed for them.



Dave

but you said

US Ultralights are single seaters. If you now want to fly single seaters, you can do that here on an NPPL (M).

yes but why not go for the pax carrying option which you can get (I have one and I am type 1 IDDM) and enjoy flying whilst poking the CAA in the eye to get them to bring their policies up to date to allow more freedom for us like in america!?

Karl.