Pilots with diabetes that does not require insulin treatment are at a substantially lower risk of severe episodes of low blood sugar.Ī scene on Saint Helena island Ed Thorpe/Atlantic Star AirlinesĬommercial flights open up Napoleon's hidden Atlantic islandīut advances in the treatment of diabetes and the management of blood sugars have mitigated that risk, the FAA stated in the court filing on October 7. “A hypoglycemic event, which can result in impaired cognitive function, seizures, unconsciousness, and even death, that occurs in the cockpit of a commercial flight has the potential to place the safety of hundreds of individuals in jeopardy,” the FAA wrote in a court filing in early-October, in a lawsuit brought by a pilot looking to ease the rules on medical certification. For that reason, the FAA deemed it too risky to allow pilots with insulin-treated diabetes to control a commercial aircraft. Episodes of low blood sugar, known as hypoglycemia, are particularly dangerous. The concern was that a pilot with diabetes may suffer an episode of high or low blood sugar in flight, which could potentially lead to an emergency situation if the pilot passes out or loses control of the aircraft. With medical advancements, such as continuous glucose monitoring along with proper protocols, the FAA’s impending proposal should help many highly qualified pilots fly commercially,” said Jim Coon, the group’s senior vice president of government affairs. “Many private pilots who are insulin dependent have been flying safely since 1996. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, which supported the change, applauded the forthcoming decision. The FAA maintained this position even as countries like the United Kingdom and Canada gradually allowed pilots with diabetes to fly commercially, provided there was a second pilot in the cockpit. They could not act as pilots on airliners or other commercial flights. Since 1996, pilots with insulin-treated diabetes have been allowed to act as pilot-in-command of an airplane in the United States, but only on private flights. The new protocol, which could be announced as early as next week, will allow pilots with insulin-treated diabetes to apply for a first- or second-class medical certificate, which is required to fly commercially. The Federal Aviation Administration is set to allow pilots with insulin-treated diabetes to apply to fly commercial airliners, according to a Department of Transportation official who spoke with CNN.
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