Recently the FAA issued information about a 15 year study of Type 1, Insulin Dependent, diabetics and the use of Constant Glucose Monitoring, CGM, and insulin pumps. Basically the FAA stated that someone using CGM and an insulin pump could be granted special issuance for all classes of medical certificates to include ATP.
I have my Sport license, fly on drivers license but would like to get the Class three medical and PPL. I have looked at the FAA site for the requirements for applying for the Special Issuance with no results.
I have been a type 1 diabetic for many years and have use the Medtronic's GCM and pump with great results for over 5 years now.
If any AME has information on the requirements I would really like to get that information and start the ball rolling.
Thanks
Randall Bearden
Sport Pilot
LSRM-A
C162 N3037T
Kennesaw GA
FAA changes to limited Issuance for Type 1 Diabetics using CGM and Insulin Pumps
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RBearden56
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Re: FAA changes to limited Issuance for Type 1 Diabetics using CGM and Insulin Pumps
For the definitive answer to your questions, google Dr Bruce Chein. He is the best AME on the planet. I believe he is on the POA forum. Good Luck!
Re: FAA changes to limited Issuance for Type 1 Diabetics using CGM and Insulin Pumps
Randall,
It looks like we may have several things in common. I too am a Type I on a pump, fly a C162, and am a LSRM-A. I developed type I about 20 years ago and went on an insulin pump just afterwards. This was before the first practical CGM devices. I was able to get a special issuance in 2002; however for other non-diabetes reasons, I stopped flying shortly thereafter and did not continue in the special issuance program.
Getting the special issuance for a third class was not difficult but required many specialist visits and lots of time. Letters, labs, and medical records were required from endocrinology, ophthalmology, and cardiology. My local AME was not optimistic or very helpful. I am a physician so I was able to coordinate the required visits, inform the specialists of the necessary wordage the reports and letters had to contain, and assimilate the information for FAA submission. The endocrinologist actually had me write a sample report that he could use with my information. These actions would have been very difficult for a nonmedical person. After all of the documentation was submitted, it took many months for my case to be reviewed. By then my ophthalmology report had expired and I had to submit a new one. I received my special issuance but with it came several mandates from both flying requirements and ongoing medical requirements. My glucose had to be checked before every flight and be within certain parameters. I had to check my serum glucose every 30 minutes during a flight. I had to have glucose gel and glucagon with me in the plane. If my serum glucose ever deviated from the given parameters I was required to land as soon as possible. I had to submit quarterly endocrine results including HgbA1c, yearly eye exams and any other pertinent medical visits. Needless to say a CGM would have made flying a lot easier. Now, I have set my own personal glucose levels that are even more restrictive than the ones mandated in my special issuance. It is just easier because I can just look down at my levels on the pump or respond to any alerts form the pump/CGM before there is a problem.
I stopped flying for 5-6 years until light sport became a reality. I resumed flying as a private pilot exercising sport pilot privileges using my driver’s license. I was very excited when basic med was being enacted until at the last moment during the final rule writing the look back period was included. My special issuance was outside the widow. I have considered getting another special issuance, but for the type of flying I do, sport pilot privileges meet my mission. While I am extremely confidant I would get a special issuance I do not want to take the slight risk that I could get denied and lose my sport pilot privileges.
I just wanted to provide a little context before answering your question. In no means am I trying to discourage your pursuit and if your mission requires more than sport pilot privileges then I would not hesitate in encouraging you to go forward. I just wanted you to know that you may need more help than your local AME can or will provide and that the path while not overly difficult is time-consuming and can be expensive. I would suggest that you have your PCP get you the needed referrals to the specialists and have all of the required information ready to send before having your visit with the AME.
The information you need can be found here: https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/he ... prot/itdm/
In summary there are two pathways. The first pathway is the CGM option and is for all classes. The second pathway is still the same one I did 20 years ago and is limited to a 3rd class medical only. The requirements for the CGM option are found by following the INITIAL CERTIFICATE CONSIDERATION REQUIREMENTS link. Roughly 4 pages of FAA speak giving you the roadmap to go forward.
I wish you well. My current plan is to wait for MOSAIC.
Steve McNabb
PPL, LRSM-A
Skycatcher N3028G
It looks like we may have several things in common. I too am a Type I on a pump, fly a C162, and am a LSRM-A. I developed type I about 20 years ago and went on an insulin pump just afterwards. This was before the first practical CGM devices. I was able to get a special issuance in 2002; however for other non-diabetes reasons, I stopped flying shortly thereafter and did not continue in the special issuance program.
Getting the special issuance for a third class was not difficult but required many specialist visits and lots of time. Letters, labs, and medical records were required from endocrinology, ophthalmology, and cardiology. My local AME was not optimistic or very helpful. I am a physician so I was able to coordinate the required visits, inform the specialists of the necessary wordage the reports and letters had to contain, and assimilate the information for FAA submission. The endocrinologist actually had me write a sample report that he could use with my information. These actions would have been very difficult for a nonmedical person. After all of the documentation was submitted, it took many months for my case to be reviewed. By then my ophthalmology report had expired and I had to submit a new one. I received my special issuance but with it came several mandates from both flying requirements and ongoing medical requirements. My glucose had to be checked before every flight and be within certain parameters. I had to check my serum glucose every 30 minutes during a flight. I had to have glucose gel and glucagon with me in the plane. If my serum glucose ever deviated from the given parameters I was required to land as soon as possible. I had to submit quarterly endocrine results including HgbA1c, yearly eye exams and any other pertinent medical visits. Needless to say a CGM would have made flying a lot easier. Now, I have set my own personal glucose levels that are even more restrictive than the ones mandated in my special issuance. It is just easier because I can just look down at my levels on the pump or respond to any alerts form the pump/CGM before there is a problem.
I stopped flying for 5-6 years until light sport became a reality. I resumed flying as a private pilot exercising sport pilot privileges using my driver’s license. I was very excited when basic med was being enacted until at the last moment during the final rule writing the look back period was included. My special issuance was outside the widow. I have considered getting another special issuance, but for the type of flying I do, sport pilot privileges meet my mission. While I am extremely confidant I would get a special issuance I do not want to take the slight risk that I could get denied and lose my sport pilot privileges.
I just wanted to provide a little context before answering your question. In no means am I trying to discourage your pursuit and if your mission requires more than sport pilot privileges then I would not hesitate in encouraging you to go forward. I just wanted you to know that you may need more help than your local AME can or will provide and that the path while not overly difficult is time-consuming and can be expensive. I would suggest that you have your PCP get you the needed referrals to the specialists and have all of the required information ready to send before having your visit with the AME.
The information you need can be found here: https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/he ... prot/itdm/
In summary there are two pathways. The first pathway is the CGM option and is for all classes. The second pathway is still the same one I did 20 years ago and is limited to a 3rd class medical only. The requirements for the CGM option are found by following the INITIAL CERTIFICATE CONSIDERATION REQUIREMENTS link. Roughly 4 pages of FAA speak giving you the roadmap to go forward.
I wish you well. My current plan is to wait for MOSAIC.
Steve McNabb
PPL, LRSM-A
Skycatcher N3028G