Type 1 Diabetes and Commercial Flying

[L39Guy]

Transport Canada recently changed its policy for those with Type 1 Diabetes to get a commercial pilot medical (Category 1R). Since 1999, if one had a Cat 1 medical then developed T1D, they could get a Cat 1R (restricted as or with a copilot) provided they satisfied the diabetes management protocol. The opportunity for an individual with T1D to get a Cat 1R medical did not exist until this spring.

Now, provided the individual can manage the condition, a pilot with existing T1D that did not already have a Cat 1 medical can now get a Category 1R medical and pursue a professional flying career. Canada is the first country in the world to allow this.

With this change, the entire spectrum of flying medicals and opportunities are open to T1D's - Category 4 medical (Recreational Pilot Permit), Category 3 medical (Private Pilot license), Category 2 medical (Air Traffic Controller) and Category 1 medical (commercial pilot license) ab initio or previous Cat 1 medical.