Airline Pilot Central Forums

Airline Pilot Central Forums (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/)
-   Pilot Health (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/pilot-health/)
-   -   FAA approves insulin-dependent for Class I (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/pilot-health/125122-faa-approves-insulin-dependent-class-i.html)

atpcliff 11-06-2019 08:05 PM


Originally Posted by AirBear (Post 2917221)
There's a Facebook Group your son might want to join if he hasn't already, it's called "Flying with Diabetes":

https://www.facebook.com/groups/301356476613317/

Thanx a ton for your suggestion!

AirBear 11-07-2019 08:42 AM

The new guidance for "Insulin Treated Diabetes Mellitus" (ITDM)is out. I'll post the short version below and link to the Federal Register for the long version and also to the updated guide for AME's. ITDM Pilots will need 6 months of CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor) data.

Short Version:

In keeping with 14 CFR 67.413
requirements to provide the FAA with medical history to ensure appropriate fitness for flight, applicants applying for the new protocol must be able to provide the following:

(1) Initial comprehensive report from the treating, board-certified endocrinologist
(2) Initial comprehensive laboratory panel
(3) Finger-Stick Blood Sugar (FSBS) glucose monitoring data
(4) Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) data for at least the preceding 6-month period (using a device legally marketed in the United States in accordance with Food and Drug Administration requirements and containing protocol-specific features needed for appropriate in-flight
monitoring.).
(5) Excel spreadsheet or similar that identifies CGM data for all flights for the past 6 months and any actions taken to address low or high glucose levels.
(6) Eye evaluation (from a board certified ophthalmologist)
(7) Cardiac risk evaluation (from a board certified cardiologist)

Long version:

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/...2019-24150.htm

Updated guide for AME's:

https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org...ase_prot/itdm/

Burt123 11-09-2019 06:11 AM

So is this movement actually motivated by new medical research or by the impending pilot demand affecting all the US major airlines? The FAA has an extremely bad track record of putting corporate interests before public safety. Something to think about.

PerfInit 11-09-2019 08:15 AM

^^^ You cracked part of the code... FAA does what Congress tells it to do. Lobbying groups such as A4A, industry, etc persuade Congress to pass new laws. The pendulum seems to swing to opposite extremes after Congress, FAA and the public “react” to tragic events that happen. Just my honest opinion...

AirBear 11-09-2019 02:53 PM

There were a number of pending lawsuits from Diabetic Pilots that the FAA was going to have a hard time defending since the UK and Canada have had insulin dependent Commercial Pilots flying in and out of the USA for years. I think it was the DOT that forced this issue with the FAA. I hope I'm wrong but I'm afraid the FAA is going to be very picky about who they approve.

The hardware requirements for Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM) are pretty stringent, I think there's only 2 of those on the market that might meet the FAA requirements and they're very expensive unless your insurance covers them. And you also need full workups by an Endocrinologist, Opthamologist, and Cardiologist. Plus graphs from the FAA approved CGM, and you have to explain any high or low readings. It's not going to be easy. But I'm sure there's Type 1 and 2 Diabetic Pilots out there who can pull this off, if they've been using one of the approved CGM's for the past 6 months they may be able to start the process soon as they get the workups from the Doctors. I think it'll be a few months before we hear anything thou.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 04:33 PM.


User Alert System provided by Advanced User Tagging v3.3.0 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Website Copyright ©2000 - 2017 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands