Can you fly with Diabetes

[TexNavy]

Hey Gents my younger brother who is in the Navy just got diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Can you fly civilian and commercial with a disease like this?

 

[PSM727]

Yes. My former student was one of the first test cases back in 1998. He had to test himself before and after each flight.

 

[TexNavy]

Thanks for the info, I think his military flying career is coming to an end but perhaps this info will give him some hope about the future.

 

[rvsm410]

Type 1???? I dont think so..

Hey If you know what AME will allow me to fly again with Type one Diabetes please let me know who he is....please make sure you understand type one "requires" the use of insulin shot 4 to 8 times a day......type 2 only reqires pills and is much more stable blood glucose readings..

Type 1 ended my flying career in the Military and Civil avaition as well. I'm only 46 and I had to take a desk job.....but if they are changing this, I certainly would like to know who this person is that got the FAA to grant a class 3 medical....I dont believe there is anyway to get a class 1...

Please show me I am wrong...I'll be on a plane to the this guy..

Thanks

 

[Resume Writer]

Type 1 Diabetes can get only a 3rd class medical. There is no consideration given for a 1st or 2nd class medical. (This is straight off the FAA website) There is specific criteria that has to be met to even attain this. The person has to have a record of no incidents for 6 months prior to application, provide all medical records and be constantly monitored. Further, they need to carry a testing device that has "memory" and test 1/2 hour before and after flight.

My dad has Type 2 diabetes and I believe he either has a second class or third class medical. I would have to ask him later - it's pretty early here and I am sure he would not appreciate a phone call!

Kathy

 

[Lrjtcaptain]

http://www.diabetesworldflight.com/

my friend Doug Cairnes does. Here is his webpage. He flew a Baron around the world in support of allowing diabetics the ability to fly.

I took the pictures of the baron flying over Iowa on his webpage.

 

[NCFlyer]

Maybe I can help clear up some diabetes info.

The FAA isn't concerned about what you call your diabetes. Their only concern is if insulin is required to keep your blood sugar levels under control. The new generally accepted definitions are "Insulin dependant" (formerly type 1) & "Non-insulin dependant" diabetes (formerly type 2). Some confusion exists when formerly "type 2" diabetics use minimal doses of insulin to help control their blood sugars.

To the best of my knowledge the FAA will only grant a 3rd class medical to any insulin dependant diabetic. And then only under very strict conditions.

Non-insulin dependant diabetics, i.e. those that control their blood sugar level with diet, exercise, and / or oral medications, MAY qualify for a 1st or 2nd class medical. The FAA only approves a few of the available oral meds.

If diagnosed with diabetes you are immediately disqualified from using your medical for any purpose. You can petition the FAA for a medical after a period of time, (60 days I think). If you can prove to the FAA that you can keep your blood sugar under control with no adverse side effects from your treatment plan the FAA will likely grant your medical. The unfortunate part is that the medical will have a statement saying "Not valid after xx/xx/xxxx", usually 6 months. If you wish to maintain your medical privileges you will have to go through the same process again and every 6 months there after.

If you are an ALPA member immediately contact their Aeromedical office for assistance in requalifying for your medical. Maybe AOPA has a similar office. If not you will need a good AME who is willing to put in the extra work to help you get your medical back.

Good luck,
NCFlyer
Non-insulin diabetic since 6/1998 with 1st class medical

 

[Resume Writer]

http://www.diabetesworldflight.com/

my friend Doug Cairnes does. Here is his webpage. He flew a Baron around the world in support of allowing diabetics the ability to fly.

I took the pictures of the baron flying over Iowa on his webpage.

It does not say that a pilot cannot fly with Type 1, it says that they cannot hold a 1st or 2nd class medical.

By the way, very cool that your friend raised a great deal of money for diabetes research. I know that my dad was misdiagnosed with "gout" when it was really Type II diabetes. He now has diabetic neuropathy in his feet which is very painful and no way to get rid of it because of the misdiagnosis. More doctors need to be educated about this disease so this sort of thing does not happen to someone else.

Kathy

 

[TexNavy]

Hey RVSM410, thanks for the info, Do you know if any kind of military benefits will be extended to him on a medical discharge. I wonder if he will get a partial disability or something of that manner, perhaps medical benefits through the VA. any info would be helpful, thanks

 

[Vector4fun]

Tex,

I'm non-insulin diabetic, and keep my controller physical, and a second class flight physical. There's LOTs of controllers like me. I have to submit a Hemoglobin A1c test every three months, (simple blood test), but otherwise no big deal. Just keep it under control.

If your brother is going to need insulin, then it's going to be a lot tougher to keep a class III medical, as others said.

pm me if you need more info.

 

[TexNavy]

Thanks again for the advice. Last week he was admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of Diabetic Ketone Acidosis most likely because of Type 1 Diabetes. They are running the blood test to determine which case it is and we should know next week. Initially he was told is was most likely type 1 which I believe is now being called Insulin dependant.

 

[Lead Sled]

FWIW, one of my good friends and former co-worker is a type II diabetic. He holds a class II medical and flies a bizjet for a major defense contractor. I know that he has to jump through a few hoops to maintain it, but it's not that big of a deal. I might recommend www.leftseat.com, they can help you. Good luck.Lead Sled

 

[Snakum]

I talked to an insulin-dependant Beechjet FO (Corp.) at GSO in 2001, so a Class 2 medical is certainly do'able.

Minh

 

[RJET]

Sorry to hear about your friend.

A friend of mine thinks he has diabetes, he is going to the Doctor next week. But he concern about his medical insurance. With diabetes, he will most likely loose his job, so he will no longer have medical insurances to cover his bill to deal with the diabetes.
Any comment are appreciated.
Thanks

 

[NoahWerka]

I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes in 2001. Peed sugar during a First Class medical. Thirty days later I had a "provisional" medical. FAA Aeromedical wanted a A1C blood test. That test measures blood sugar over a three month period. If your blood sugar can be controled with diet and exersize, or medicine, the FAA has no problem issuing a medical. Regardless of the class medical you get, the Feds want an A1C test every time you apply for one. I have had a First Class medical ever since. The advice about contacting, if you are a member of, ALPA was right on. If not hopefully your AME knows his stuff.