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FAA may allow diabetic pilots to fly commercial jets
The Federal Aviation Administration could soon allow pilots with insulin-treated diabetes to spread their wings.
Currently qualified diabetic pilots can only be in command of private airplanes due to the three-tier certification required.
Up until now pilots with insulin-treated diabetes have only been issued a third-class medical certificate but the FAA is mulling the granting of a first- or second-class medical certificate which would allow them to fly for a commercial airline, CNN reported.
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association backed the proposal.
"Many private pilots who are insulin-dependent have been flying safely since 1996," said Jim Coon, AOPA’s senior vice president of government affairs.
"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."
Pilots would be examined by a FAA-authorized aviation medical professional and would be granted a certificate to fly commercially only if they show exemplary management of their diabetes with no instances of hypoglycaemia and other related medical issues.
Other countries like the UK and Canada permit pilots with diabetes to fly commercially alongside a non-diabetic co-pilot.
"Blanket bans based on diagnosis alone are never appropriate, even in safety sensitive positions. Not all persons with diabetes are fit to pilot a commercial aircraft, but certainly some are," the American Diabetes Association said.
The Air Line Pilots Association union is also in favor of overturning the ban.
A decision by the FAA could be made within a few days.
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