Is diabetes a disqualifier for pilots?

Pilots who have diabetes and use a medication other than insulin must receive an initial authorization and annual subsequent exams to be considered for a medical certificate for any class. The Code of Federal Regulations defines the activities which can be performed with each class of medical certificate.



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Medical Problems
Unfortunately, some medical or health issues may cause you to fail the extensive medical examinations required to become a pilot. This includes certain heart diseases, conditions such as epilepsy, poor hearing, bad vision, and even common allergies, as certain allergy medications can make you drowsy.

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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.

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What medical conditions does the FAA consider disqualifying?
  • Angina pectoris.
  • Bipolar disease.
  • Cardiac valve replacement.
  • Coronary heart disease that has been treated or, if untreated, that has been symptomatic or clinically significant.
  • Diabetes mellitus requiring hypoglycemic medications.


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Unfortunately, some medical or health issues may cause you to fail the extensive medical examinations required to become a pilot. This includes certain heart diseases, conditions such as epilepsy, poor hearing, bad vision, and even common allergies, as certain allergy medications can make you drowsy.

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If pilot's clearly do not meet FAA medical standards, particularly if they have conditions that are specifically grounding in Part 67 of the FARs or the Guide to Aviation Medical Examiners, the aviation medical examiner may issue a denial letter to the pilot revoking the pilot's current medical privileges.

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Within FAA , access to an individual's medical information is strictly on a need to know basis. The safeguards of the Privacy Act ( PDF ) apply to the application for airman medical certification and to other medical files in FAA 's possession.

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Request a travel letter about your diabetes You should get a letter from your healthcare team stating you have diabetes and that you need to carry medical supplies. This letter is often requested by airlines and other operators and is helpful in the event of an emergency.

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Diabetes sufferers can receive a license to pilot a plane if they show that they have controlled their blood glucose levels for at least six months. However, they must also qualify for some pre-flight and in-flight procedures. Individuals with insulin pumps can also get this license.

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Due to the risks to flight safety posed by ADHD, regulatory authorities worldwide consider ADHD a disqualifying condition for pilots. Unfortunately, pilots sometimes fail to disclose ADHD to their Aviation Medical Examiner (AME).

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