Are Changes in the Works for Diabetic Pilots?
 

Just wondering if anyone has heard about changes for Insulin dependent Diabetic Pilots in Airline Cockpits, coming soon?

As it stands now, no Insulin is allowed for FAA Class 1 or Class 2 medicals.
Several foreign lands (Australia, Canada, Parts of Europe), have allowed Insulin in Airline Cockpits for some time now!

Just yesterday (Nov. 13, 2014), the FAA started to allow 2 pilots in the cockpit (FAR 121 Carriers), on International Flights, that can now BOTH be between Age 60-65 years (with some other provisions).
That's a pretty big change from the FAA in my opinion.

Looks like some changes may also be happening to LSA regulations or flying of smaller single engine aircraft soon, per the "Grapevine".
So what I'm wondering, is do you think, or have you maybe heard anything indicating that Insulin requirements for Class 1 or 2 medicals, might be modified in the future?

I'm wondering if the FAA is starting to take a new outlook on perhaps some outdated medical standards?

Thanks in advance.


jabr800

There is a certainly a grass-roots movement to eliminate 3C medicals for non-commercial flying and simply require a valid driver's license instead (a la LSA). I suspect this has a decent chance of becoming reality.

Do you have a link to the new rule on international ops? I thought that ICAO required one pilot under 60, which was why the FAA mandated that for international?

Given improved blood-sugar monitoring and insulin delivery technology, I can see how it might make more sense now than in the past, but I haven't heard anything about a change.

A link on the Nov. 13, 2014 change in Age for Front Seat Pilots on Intl Flights.


FAA easing restrictions on older pilots | TheHill


Several other Aviation On-Line Blogs posted this stuff recently too, but my time is limited to go find it right now.