Policy Concerning the Special Issuance of Medical Certificates to Diabetic Airman Applicants

Zusammenfassung

The FAA is considering a policy change concerning individuals with diabetes mellitus who apply for airman medical certificates. Under the current FAA regulations, an established diagnosis of diabetes mellitus that requires insulin or any other hypoglycemic drug for control disqualifies an individual from medical certification. The FAA is considering under what circumstances special issuance of a medical certificate (a ``waiver'') to an individual who requires insulin might be appropriate. Before making this determination, the FAA invites comment on a medical evaluation and monitoring protocol, developed by a panel of distinguished endocrinologists at the request of the Federal Air Surgeon, that is recommended by that panel as the basis of a possible change of policy. The change would permit certain insulin- using diabetic individuals to receive special issuance of airman medical certificates.