Becoming a pilot dealing with type 1 diabetes

Airline Pilot Questions & Answers
1

I am currently looking in to going to flight school and becoming an airline pilot. I am aware that it will be a challenge to get my class 1 medical certificate dealing with type 1 diabetes and being insulin dependent but it is now possible to obtain if you have a good control of blood glucose levels and submit CGM data. My question is to anyone who has delt with this is how difficult is this to obtain and what are the requirements once you do obtain it. Like how often CGM data needs to be submitted and any other requirements?

2

Trevor,

It doesn’t matter whether someone else has dealt with diabetes or not as EVERY case is different. The only one who can intelligently and accurately tell you what you need to know and do is an AME (Aviation Medical Examiner). You need to find one in your area and have a consultation.

Adam

3

Trevor,

Found an article from AOPA, little outdated, but may give some direction as well as contacting an AME.

Here is a webpage from the FAA’s website for Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners:

Brady

4

Hello Trevor,

I’m Tyler (also a Type 1 Diabetic)

Hope you still on here. I’m currently in the same boat and was seeing if you got thru the hurdle of getting the magical Class 1 Medical yet?

Also I believe you must continue supplying your CGM data every 3 months to the FAA document portal.

5

Hey Tyler, I just was denied and for not quite being in the range that they would like to see. I am waiting to reapply until I have adequate data to provide with being in target range. You must have a minimum of 6 months data with 70% being in range and having your CGM and insulin pump on automated mode for 90% of the time. I am just about there. Feel free to keep in touch. I have not seen to many people on here who also are dealing with this situation.

6

Gentlemen,

Patience and honesty with the FAA will go a long way. Provide them with what they are looking for and cooperate. Trevor as you said best, you probably won’t because everyone’s case is very different, I hope both of you will keep us posted though, through your journeys.

Brady

7

Thanks for the response Trevor,

Sorry for the novel. Glad we can message each other to keep us on track to maybe one day fly an airline!

Don’t listen to these ATP mentor guys saying that you probably won’t. (But yes very case is different, but not in our case we have a detailed guidelines to tell us what the FAA expects from us for safety).

Because I know of a friend that had a CFI that took a while but got this medical with our situation.

Back to my response, so how were your numbers when you first applied? I know I’m not even close due to not great numbers (a lot of highs from heavy carbs and sugar).

90 day clarity report for me is at Avg BS is 161, 65 TIR (9 very high, 23 high, and 4% low) 39.2% CoV, GMI 7.2, wearing % 98.7

Question for you is how you working out on getting numbers in range? Have any advise/plan you put yourself on to meet the standards on the CGM data for FAA requirements?

8

Tyler,

None of us are saying Trevor (or you) is not going to get his medical, I think you’re misunderstanding what we’re saying. We are not medical doctors, nor are you; therefore, we can only recommend individuals to contact an AME and follow FAA guidelines. We simply said, everyone’s case is different and to comply with what the FAA medical division is requesting.

Brady