Diabetic who wants to fly?

[Guest bateo]

G'day guys,

 

I have a friend who is a diabetic and would love to learn to fly. This person has NEVER had a 'blackout' or 'passed out' BUT is possible if the person has low sugar levels.

 

They took all the appropriate classes at school, so that they could undertake a career in aviation only to be later diagnosed a few yrs later with diabeties.

 

Now, my understanding is that they CAN fly recreational (as they are not approved for GA) so long as they hold a drivers licence and sign a declaration stating they do so.

 

So my question is to you guys, are they suitable to undertake an RA-Aus Licence?

 

This person would just love to be able to fly (Has many hours on a Sim).

 

I have informed them that it may be possible, although their instructors MUST be aware of the issue, and should not be accompanied by passengers just in case of a side affect.

 

Any help would be appreciated? Sticky one huh....

 

 

[Guest airsick]

Not really a sticky one at all. The new manual (and possibly the old one) explicitly covers this case. Section 5 lists the "requirements for the maintenance of a valid pilot certificate" and says:

 

If the member suffers from;

 

 

 

i. Epilepsy

 

 

 

ii. Diabetes (Type 1 or 2)

 

 

 

iii. A Heart Condition/ Disease or Paralysis

 

 

 

iv. Mental Illness (Medicated or otherwise); or

 

 

 

v. Are 75 years of age or older

 

 

 

Must not exercise the privileges of their certificate until such time as they have provided the RA-Aus with a statement from their doctor (GP) that their health standard is equivalent to that of a private motor vehicle drivers licence in Australia;

 

 

 

 

 

So the answer is yes, they can fly and hold a certificate and even go solo but they have to meet slightly higher (although not onerous) medical requirements.

 

I have said it before and I will say it again - isn't it nice to be able to quote the manual? :)

 

 

[motzartmerv]

G'day, yep we have a student who has diabetes.. He's been solo, no problems.. well, other then a small expedition off the runway, but that was on account of Jabiru, nothing to do with his illness..

 

 

[Guest Andys@coffs]

 

 

 

 

.....Must not exercise the privileges of their certificate until such time as they have provided the RA-Aus with a statement from their doctor (GP) that their health standard is equivalent to that of a private motor vehicle drivers licence in Australia;

Im a type 1 diabetic (insulin 4 times a day). I cant talk for all states but in SA Type 1 diabetics every year have a GP medical and a seperate eye test that is required in order for the drivers license to be used for the next 12 months. Therefore in SA if you have and can use a drivers license you have already satisifed the RAA need (If not specifically having sent them a copy of the medical document that goes to the registration dept)

 

Andy

 

 

[icebob]

Hi,

 

The same applies to NSW

 

Bob.

 

 

[Guest bateo]

Thanks Guys,

 

I will encourage them to go and give it a go!

 

It will be good to see to get them in the air!

 

 

[Guest airsick]

Im a type 1 diabetic (insulin 4 times a day). I cant talk for all states but in SA Type 1 diabetics every year have a GP medical and a seperate eye test that is required in order for the drivers license to be used for the next 12 months. Therefore in SA if you have and can use a drivers license you have already satisifed the RAA need (If not specifically having sent them a copy of the medical document that goes to the registration dept)Andy

Do you still have to send the written proof to RAA? The manual seems quite explicit in its requirements so I am just wondering.

 

 

[Guest Andys@coffs]

In "satisfying the RAA need" I was refering to the fact that you have established, through the registration system of SA that you are indeed fit to a level required to drive a car. As to needing to send them a copy of the form, if thats what the new manual says ... then I guess I must.

 

Andy