Can a Diabetic Be a Helicopter Pilot?

Helicopter pilots require FAA certification, including an FAA Medical Certificate. While it is challenging for a diabetic to qualify for and retain this certificate, it is not impossible if your blood sugar numbers are tightly controlled--even if you are insulin-dependent.

Diagnosis

• Blood sugar testing is not a routine part of FAA medical certification testing, but urine testing and the review of previous medical records are. If you have been diagnosed as a diabetic, you will be subject to additional scrutiny and procedures.

Eligibility for Certifications

• Diabetics who control their condition solely through diet and/or medication are eligible for all classes of FAA medical certification. Insulin-dependent diabetics are only eligible for third class medical certification.

Initial Certification

• To obtain initial medical certification, insulin-dependent diabetics must produce medical records proving they have had no severe hypoglycemic episodes in the past year and no more than two such episodes in the past five years. Your endocrinologist must submit a detailed report of your blood sugar levels and control regimen for the past six months, including at least two A1C test results.

Required Pre-Flight Monitoring

• Thirty minutes prior to takeoff, a blood sugar reading must be taken. If less than 100, the diabetic pilot must eat a snack and re-test in 30 minutes. If more than 300, the flight will be canceled. Blood sugar must be between 100 and 300 to fly.

Required In-Flight Testing

• Blood sugar testing must continue once every hour during the flight; if a reading exceeds 300, the pilot must make an emergency landing at the nearest airport. Readings below 100 require ingesting an additional snack of at least 10 grams of carbohydrates.