What Happened
New Guidelines Could Streamline Certification For Pilots With Controlled Diabetes
The FAA has proposed new rules that would allow pilots whose diabetes is controlled with non-insulin medications to receive medical certificates directly from Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs), bypassing the current Special Issuance process. This change is driven by significant advancements in non-insulin diabetes treatments since the original 1959 standard. The proposal is expected to save applicants millions of dollars and reduce FAA workload and certification wait times. According to the FAA, the change could allow AMEs to issue medical certificates in about 3,000 cases each year. This proposal was first reported by Unknown Source.