New [diabetes] medical relief from the FAA - Airline Pilot Central Forums

Freight Dog , 07-10-2013 07:17 AM

APC co-founder

"In April, a new program from FAA Medical in Oklahoma City was quietly rolled out. It has big implications for many pilots, and will no doubt speed up the medical issuance process. But, of course, there are pitfalls too"

Airline Pilot Central - Some medical relief from the FAA

Divepilot , 03-28-2014 08:31 PM

New Hire

Very interesting. I wonder how closely the FAA is tracking the move in Congress (House of Representatives and the Senate) to waive the requirement for a Class III Medical. From what I understand, the FAA wouldn't move on it so Congress has decided to "get the ball rolling."

pilot23 , 04-15-2014 10:25 PM

New Hire

I have recently experienced this new process and it seems to have made things much quicker. My Dr. has had a lot of experience in dealing with the FAA so she knew everything they were looking for.

ClarenceOver , 04-15-2014 10:29 PM

Banned

Pilot23. I am intrigued. Can you post your email since you can't PM me. I want to learn more about this process.

N9373M , 04-16-2014 04:40 AM

Gets Weekends Off

2 Topics?

I think there are two things we're talking about here.

First, there is legislation to do away with the class 3 with varying "rules" having to due with a/c weight, # pax, VFR, etc.

Second, you now fill out the FAA medical form online and the AME accesses it during the exam. It's password protected. I'll know more about this next month

Gee550 , 10-26-2015 05:54 AM

New Hire

I have diet controlled diabetes. A1c was never above 6.7, now is 5.6. Does this need to be reported to AME at every physical?

andylewis1977 , 02-09-2016 01:58 AM

Line Holder

This is really nice and unique process. My brother had this experience.

Lucy , 06-29-2021 04:18 PM

On Reserve

CACI

The problem is, many AME's do not understand, or are willing to take the time to understand CACI. CACI has been around for some time now, but AME's will simply defer any issue to Region or OKC.

youngmd , 08-15-2022 06:46 AM

Line Holder

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gee550

I have diet controlled diabetes. A1c was never above 6.7, now is 5.6. Does this need to be reported to AME at every physical?

Interesting. I was under the impression that any form of diabetes is an immediate disqualification for flying, kind of like epilepsy.

#10

JohnBurke , 08-15-2022 05:01 PM

Disinterested Third Party

https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org.../disease_prot/

Diabetes Mellitus, Diet-Controlled
[QUOTE]Applicants with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus controlled by diet alone are considered eligible for all classes of medical certificates under the medical standards, provided they have no evidence of associated disqualifying cardiovascular, neurological, renal, or ophthalmological disease. Specialized examinations need not be performed unless indicated by history or clinical findings. The Examiner must document these determinations on FAA Form 8500-8.
[QUOTE]
https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org...diabetes_diet/

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 or 2, Insulin-Controlled (CGM option):

Quote:
The FAA has an established policy that permits the special issuance medical certification to some insulin treated applicants. Individuals certificated under this policy will be required to provide medical documentation regarding their history of treatment, accidents, and current medical status. If certificated, they will be required to adhere to monitoring requirements. There are no restrictions regarding flight outside of the United States air space.
***
For consideration for first- or second-class airman certification, the airman must submit Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) data and ALL the certification requirements as outlined below:
...

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

Diabetes Mellitus, Insulin-Controlled, Non-CGM, 3rd-class only:

Quote:
Consideration will be given only to those individuals who have been clinically stable on their current treatment regimen for a period of 6-months or more. The FAA has an established policy that permits the special issuance medical certification to some insulin treated applicants. Individuals certificated under this policy will be required to provide medical documentation regarding their history of treatment, accidents, and current medical status. If certificated, they will be required to adhere to monitoring requirements. There are no restrictions regarding flight outside of the United States air space.

https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org...betes_insulin/

Diabetes Mellitus, treated with anything other than insulin:

Quote:
Applicants with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus controlled by medication must submit the following information for consideration of an Authorization for Special Issuance Medical Certificate (Authorization) for any class. See Acceptable Combinations of Diabetes Medications(PDF)for allowable medications, combinations, and required recovery periods after starting or changing medication(s).

https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org.../diabetes_med/