I need some info from private pilots with type II. Im a type II, taking
glyburide & Metaformin (and lisinopril for high blood pressure) These
drugs do give me relatively good control with an A1c of about 6.8 I do
not experience any dangerously low blood sugars. I am wondering several
things. I read some stuff from the FAA flight medicine page and it
would appear that even if you don't use insulin, you need to get checked
by a flight surgeon every three months. is this correct? Also, seems
like they want you to test your blood every 30 minutes in flight.
Almost seems like more trouble than it's worth. It seems like these
procedures would be more applicable to a person using insulin. Need
some advice from someone who is dealing with it. I can't access the
AOPA site because I am not a member. Thanks in advance, Ken
usaken@pacbell.net

The first time you report diabetes treated with medication, the AME will
have to defer your application to OKC. If your A1c is <10.0 and you have no
record of hypos, you will likely receive a waiver within six weeks. The
waiver will be good for the length of your medical. This only applies for a
Class 2 or 3 -- you would not be eligible for a Class 1.

If you are not on medication, the AME would not have to defer your
application.

If your numbers remain good, subsequent renewals will not have to be
deferred and you'll be able to walk out of the exam with your new medical

PS, your A1c isn't really that good for a Type 2 and you are at an elevated
risk for diabetic complications. Many here shoot for <6 A1c.

--
T2 - HbA1c: 5.4%
http://www.bollar.org/diabetes.htm


"Ken Cochrane" <usaken@pacbell.net> wrote in message
news:ZxVsb.842$Xr3.56595600@newssvr21.news.prodigy .com...

The first time you report diabetes treated with medication, the AME will
have to defer your application to OKC. If your A1c is <10.0 and you have no
record of hypos, you will likely receive a waiver within six weeks. The
waiver will be good for the length of your medical. This only applies for a
Class 2 or 3 -- you would not be eligible for a Class 1.

If you are not on medication, the AME would not have to defer your
application.

If your numbers remain good, subsequent renewals will not have to be
deferred and you'll be able to walk out of the exam with your new medical

PS, your A1c isn't really that good for a Type 2 and you are at an elevated
risk for diabetic complications. Many here shoot for <6 A1c.

--
T2 - HbA1c: 5.4%
http://www.bollar.org/diabetes.htm


"Ken Cochrane" <usaken@pacbell.net> wrote in message
news:ZxVsb.842$Xr3.56595600@newssvr21.news.prodigy .com...

On Fri, 14 Nov 2003 00:42:33 GMT, Ken Cochrane
<usaken@pacbell.net> wrote:

I used to fly before diabetes but packed in about six months
before diagnosis. [How's about that for fate??? <G>] From
personal experience, I don't think that i would even
contemplate takng it up again. For the following reasons
which of course are mine alone but you might find something
to consider in your sittuation.

1] Though I tend not to go hypo I do suffer when my Bg goes
below 77.4 ish. I have the following symptoms:

a] Lack of concentration.
b] A rise in my anger threshold and lack of patience.
c] Prone to weariness.

2] Stress = adrenaline = BG rise

a] Bad for control and activity induced Liver Dump if at the
wrong time. [Possibility]

3] Flying safely requires an extraordinary ability to
assimilate and prioritise rapidly changing information from
a number of sources. This ability can be seriously affected
by variations in the BG levels particularly outside of the
'normal range'. In my case the chances of me being within a
'normal range' during pre flight planning, flight duration
[plus any unforeseen circumstances] and post flight duties -
is on current record, poor indeed.

Checking BG levels in flight is IMO pure stupidity. Eyes
should be outside scanning for the greatest percentage of
time [except of course when IMC/IFR]. Let alone feeding
which would have to be accurately gauged in order not to
raise BG levels to a detremental point.

Of course, FAA rules will alow you to fly under certain
restrictions etc but in my case self preservation has a
higher priority. I honestly think that I would be unable to
deliver 100% all of the time required. Less is just not
acceptable.

There is the added problem part of which I am still
wrestling with now incidentally. I do quite a bit of driving
for half of the week and on the days I do drive, my control
is not as I wish it to be. [Stress] There is a marked
difference between the two parts of the week. Which is for
me at the moment, conclusive proof that undertaking activity
which induces mental stress/ high workload produces an
undesireable BG regime.

IMO [YMMV] 1 hour of flight in VMC outside of CAS doing
nothing other than A-B is = to 3 hours at 70mph + on a busy
motorway/freeway. That I can do without.

But those are just my own thoughts. I wish you luck BTW the
thought has just ocurred, the restrictions on you medical
wise imposed by the FAA - are they going to be pretty hard
to meet?.

Pete

{Now dreaming of days gone by and a life that can never be
the same again - drat]
Diagnosed 20/03/03 Type II D&E + Metformin + Gliclazide
+ Asprin 210lbs at Dx to target 174lbs achieved.
Now 171lbs. To mail: aspen3 at freeuk.com

Thanks Richard, That's exactly the info I was looking for. 1 more
thing, what about the bg testing every 30 minutes in flight? Does this
apply to my situation? Thanks again Ken usaken@pacbell.net

Richard Bollar wrote:

No, that only applies to insulin-dependant diabetics operating under a
waiver.

--
T2 - HbA1c: 5.4%
http://www.bollar.org/diabetes.htm


"Ken Cochrane" <usaken@pacbell.net> wrote in message
news:ji_tb.1304$AU6.53@newssvr13.news.prodigy.com. ..