By Grounded - 17/11/2009 03:47 - Australia

Today, I started my first day as a security guard. After spending three years and $30,000 to become a commercial pilot, only to be told on my yearly medical that I suddenly have type 1 diabetes, and will never fly again. FML
I agree, your life sucks 43 187
You deserved it 2 216

Yaphukwit tells us more.

Yaphukwit 0

Op here, Definatly not a fake, as other posters have said, Type 1 is not exclusive to juveniles. I am 24. I had the symptoms for a few weeks (thirst, tiredness, etc.) but was only diagnosed when i went for my comm pilots medical and they detected it there. And instead of college i chose flight training. So as much as i would love to move to the states, finding a job and someone to sponsor me would be difficult.

Top comments

proflover 0

why cant you fly with diabetes?

caamm 0

this is a true fml. sorry to hear that mate.

Comments

proflover 0

why cant you fly with diabetes?

Darth_Taco 14

Actually, in the United States you can be a pilot with diabetes. You just need special insurance. Anyway, I think the issue is with the OP's blood sugar level. Injecting yourself with your insulin can also be considered distracting I guess. OP, if relocating is an option for you there are many other countries that will allow you to fly with diabetes. Again, it just requires a special insurance and maintaining relatively normal blood sugar levels.

Distracting? So can checking out your schedule on your laptop and other miscellaneous things that are far more distracting than a set regimen of insulin administration. Things such as requiring a second pilot even in aircraft whose type certificates do not require one, and simply be a non-effect if administered outside of the critical phases of flight in an aircraft requiring more than one crew member may assist in these Type I flyers to get back in the sky.

I think the concern is potential low blood sugar, rather than having to inject insulin. I'm a type 1 diabetic, but I'm not a pilot.

aupilot 0

Whoa, Darth Taco needs to read the FARs before he starts throwing out legal advice, specifically Part 67.113(a). To wit: " The general medical standards for a first-class airman medical certificate are: (a) No established medical history or clinical diagnosis of diabetes mellitus that requires insulin or any other hypoglycemic drug for control." That would be Type-1 diabetes. The same requirement shows up in both Second and Third Class medicals. (To maintain an ATP license in the US, you need to have a First Class medical. For just a commercial license, a Second Class.) And whoever said the FAA is "more flexible" than "other" countries needs to have his/her medical pulled, because they're smoking crack. The FAA is anal as shit.

aero_fml 0

Although, just noticed OP is from Australia

because you can be a hazard to other people if you eat suger and dont have any insuline with ya your flying a plane so its pure logic although the chances of being that retarded is slim .. also you have a co-pilot at all times so i think that its quite a bullshit reason

The reason you can probably be one in the U.S. with diabetes is becose 90% of Americans are obese

Well pilots do jack shit all. they are there only in case something goes fucky. a plane can land on its on for shit sakes the only thing it cannot do is take off

caamm 0

this is a true fml. sorry to hear that mate.

probably the first real FML i've seen here. :(

true...but it would take YEARS to pay it off...pilots get payed shit now

cause they do such a crappy job landing in oceans and shit like that, people die man! PEOPLE DIE!!!

Hooray4Ponies 0

Yeah, that one really sucks. I'm sorry.

I have type 1 diabetes, and I'm pretty sure you're allowed to fly in the US... I was looking into being a pilot at some point in my life :P But anyways, you can move to the US. I'd suggest an insulin pump though. They make control a lot easier and more efficient. It sucks that you were diagnosed so late in life though :( I'm sorry

hondata_knight 0

No, you can't. someone who cant sit behind the controls for hours without having monitor their health isnt a good thing. you cant handel your medical emergencies while you handle flight emergencies. its harsh and I know your pain, I almost got denied my medical. There is so many things that can keep you off the flight deck

starberries 0

What are you talking about? You don't have to constantly monitor your health with diabetes! Sticking your finger once a day and maybe injecting insulin don't prohibit you from sitting behind controls for a few hours.

Actually Type 1 diabetes is a bit more strict than that. I have it and I have to prick my finger four times a day and take injections four times. But then again I don't do it constantly and would be able to sit for a long period of time without checking my health.

That's horrible :( Kinda reminds me of the guy in Little Miss Sunshine who wanted to be a pilot but couldn't because he was colour blind

Lol exactly what I was going to write xD But yea... That sucks :(

I'm sorry to hear that. I hope things work out for you in life though.