| Articles from the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org FAA medical certification guidelines for pilots with insulin-treated diabetes Sweet Victory: More diabetic pilots may be cleared to fly |
Diabetes and Your Pilot Privileges
If you have diabetes, you may still be eligible for an
FAA medical certificate. Pilots with diabetes mellitus
that is controlled by diet meet the 14CFR Part 67
medical standards. At the time of your FAA medical
examination, you must already have a history of
controlling your diabetes and have documented
evidence of such. You will need a report from your
regular doctor and a current report of hemoglobin A1C.
If you have diabetes, you may still be eligible for an
FAA medical certificate. Pilots with diabetes mellitus
that is controlled by diet meet the 14CFR Part 67
medical standards. At the time of your FAA medical
examination, you must already have a history of
controlling your diabetes and have documented
evidence of such. You will need a report from your
regular doctor and a current report of hemoglobin A1C.
For now, use of oral diabetes medication or insulin disqualifies you for a medical certificate. A
possible exception to this would be the system that Michael Hunter
(www.FlightForDiabetes.com) uses in his specially-equipped airplane. Mr. Hunter has a
real-time device that monitors blood sugar levels with a panel-mounted gauge in the cockpit.
This is certainly a special circumstance and the FAA would most likely consider similar
situations on a case-by-case basis.
* If you are controlling diabetes with oral medications you need to establish a successful track
record of adequate control, stabilization, and no adverse side effects from the medication for at
least 60 days. You must also have documentation of
your successful 60 days. Your regular doctor should be able to help you establish the
necessary treatment and documentation.
* After the 60 day control period is completed, a glycosolated hemoglobin (HgbA1C) should
be done. A normal value for A1C hemoglobin ranges from 4.0 % to 7.5 %, and the FAA will
allow up to 9.0 % for medical certification. You need to do this test within 30 days after your 60
day control period is completed. Make sure to get a copy of the laboratory print-out - the FAA
will require it.
* Successful test results will show no evidence of significant medical or surgical
complications like neurological, peripherovascular, cardiac, renal or ophtalmalogic disease.
* You shouldn't use beta-adrenergic blocking antihypertensive agents, also known as
beta-blockers. These medications can prevent you from being aware of low blood sugar by
hiding the symptoms of hypoglycemia. However, newer oral medications do not carry the
same risk and can be used. These medications are:
- acarbose (Precose)
- rosiglitazone (Avandia)
- miglitol (Glyset)
- pioglitazone (Actos)
- metformin (Glucophage)
Expect annual follow-up examinations. Some cases may require more frequent follow-ups.
If this is your first application for a medical certificate, make copies of your pertinent medical
records. Keep one copy and present the other copy to the aviation medical examiner.
If you don't have a current medical certificate, or your FAA medical application (Form 8500-8)
has expired, talk with your aviation medical examiner before you apply for a new medical. The
FAA will reject a medical review if there is no current medical application on file. The Aircraft
Owners and Pilots Association is also an excellent source for information and advice
(www.AOPA.org).
Have all the necessary records with you when you see the medical examiner. This is very
important! Also, put your name, address and date of birth on each page of your
documentation.
If you have to send the records to the FAA yourself, do it after your aviation medical exam. Use
an express service like FedEx, either overnight or 2-3 day delivery. Make certain that you send
all the required information in an organized way. Don't assume anything! If anything is
missing, your application will be delayed.
Use this address:
Federal Aviation Administration
Aerospace Medical Certification Division
AAM-300
6700 S. MacArthur Blvd.
Oklahoma City, OK 73169
Phone: 800-350-5286 or 405-954-4821
When your case is approved, you will receive an authorization letter with instructions for
renewing your medical the next time around.
possible exception to this would be the system that Michael Hunter
(www.FlightForDiabetes.com) uses in his specially-equipped airplane. Mr. Hunter has a
real-time device that monitors blood sugar levels with a panel-mounted gauge in the cockpit.
This is certainly a special circumstance and the FAA would most likely consider similar
situations on a case-by-case basis.
* If you are controlling diabetes with oral medications you need to establish a successful track
record of adequate control, stabilization, and no adverse side effects from the medication for at
least 60 days. You must also have documentation of
your successful 60 days. Your regular doctor should be able to help you establish the
necessary treatment and documentation.
* After the 60 day control period is completed, a glycosolated hemoglobin (HgbA1C) should
be done. A normal value for A1C hemoglobin ranges from 4.0 % to 7.5 %, and the FAA will
allow up to 9.0 % for medical certification. You need to do this test within 30 days after your 60
day control period is completed. Make sure to get a copy of the laboratory print-out - the FAA
will require it.
* Successful test results will show no evidence of significant medical or surgical
complications like neurological, peripherovascular, cardiac, renal or ophtalmalogic disease.
* You shouldn't use beta-adrenergic blocking antihypertensive agents, also known as
beta-blockers. These medications can prevent you from being aware of low blood sugar by
hiding the symptoms of hypoglycemia. However, newer oral medications do not carry the
same risk and can be used. These medications are:
- acarbose (Precose)
- rosiglitazone (Avandia)
- miglitol (Glyset)
- pioglitazone (Actos)
- metformin (Glucophage)
Expect annual follow-up examinations. Some cases may require more frequent follow-ups.
If this is your first application for a medical certificate, make copies of your pertinent medical
records. Keep one copy and present the other copy to the aviation medical examiner.
If you don't have a current medical certificate, or your FAA medical application (Form 8500-8)
has expired, talk with your aviation medical examiner before you apply for a new medical. The
FAA will reject a medical review if there is no current medical application on file. The Aircraft
Owners and Pilots Association is also an excellent source for information and advice
(www.AOPA.org).
Have all the necessary records with you when you see the medical examiner. This is very
important! Also, put your name, address and date of birth on each page of your
documentation.
If you have to send the records to the FAA yourself, do it after your aviation medical exam. Use
an express service like FedEx, either overnight or 2-3 day delivery. Make certain that you send
all the required information in an organized way. Don't assume anything! If anything is
missing, your application will be delayed.
Use this address:
Federal Aviation Administration
Aerospace Medical Certification Division
AAM-300
6700 S. MacArthur Blvd.
Oklahoma City, OK 73169
Phone: 800-350-5286 or 405-954-4821
When your case is approved, you will receive an authorization letter with instructions for
renewing your medical the next time around.
Copyright (c) 2004-2008 Roger Dodger Aviation, LLC Matt Thomas, CFII All rights reserved |
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