Hi Everyone,
I am 43 years old and currently hold a 3rd class medical. I am considering a career change to the airlines in the next 2-3 years…of course, this will depend on the market and other factors. I am currently at 700 hours and working on my commercial. That’s the background information.
Now, I am doing my regular yearly check ups and have been found with elevated sugar levels (136 latest)…so far, no medication has been prescribed. My exams back in Oct 2018 showed very good progress in the right direction after losing 8 pounds (I’m 5’8’ and was at 189 lbs) and starting an exercise routine, my numbers fell back into pre-diabetic levels and the hope was I’d keep lowering them. Of course, I dropped the ball on the exercise part and numbers are still holding in the low end of diabetes and pre-diabetes.
My question is, would I be able to obtain a 1st class medical given my only issue is glucose level? (all other numbers are normal). Is my dream to become an airline pilot gone? Would I still be able to fly part 135 with a 2nd class?
All that said, my doctor strongly believes that diet and exercise is all i need to get back to actual normal range, in other words, it appears as though I can reverse them…but, I do have a family history of diabetes (mom is type 2) so I don’t want to embark in a career change knowing that it won’t be attainable. I know I can still fly GA and I LOVE to do so but flying professionally is a dream of mine.
