any particular reason...

[Thunderchild]

... why a diabetic should not fly a plane ?

[pingu97]

No idea! But i know when my gran was in hospital seriously ill, the nurses couldnt cut her nails and said it was because of her diabetes, if anyone knows why this is i'd be interested to know!

[dot.hawkes]

the risk of going into a diabetic coma?

[Thunderchild]

http://opinions.freeforums.org/viewtopic.php?p =12#12

some people are just never satisfied....

[Goodsoulette]

Diabetics have awful circulation and are prone to infection so even the smallest cut could have awful consequences eg they could lose their foot. I think diabetics are entitled to see chiropodists for free on the NHS because of this.

As a diabetic you can only qualify for certain types of pilots licenses and you must manage your diabetes impeccably well. If you don't your doctor can notify the authorities to have you stripped of your license (same goes for driving licenses). I would have though risk of going into a diabetic coma mid air is a good enough reason to have such strict guidelines.

[Bewlay Bros]

Basically under aviation law, the Captain (and in some cases, the first office, but not flight engineer) can refuse anybody on board his airplane. There have been times when smelly people have been refused or obese people.

Diabetics, as said, are at higher risk than others and trouble at 20,000 feet will not be good for anybody on flight.

Most airlines will allow various conditioned people on board if they have a private nurse.

[Thunderchild]

well what worries me is the charity is backing him for goodness sake havn't they asnything better to do

[Thunderchild]

Bewlay Bros I don't think you quite understand the diabetic guy wants to fly the plane himself........

[pingu97]

Thanks for that goodsoul it makes sense my gran did have awful circulation anyway when she was ill-her hands started to turn dark blue from it

[Bewlay Bros]

Sorry I misread your question!!!!!!!! I thought you said fly in a plane.

I imagine he can do so for "fun". i.e with a trained pilot, it will be the PPL (Private Pilots Licence) he can not obtain maybe.

The same principle as an epeleptic who last had a fit, say, 25 years ago can not drive a car.

[Thunderchild]

well he wants to be an airline pilot that means holding 200+ peoples lives in his hands

[Bewlay Bros]

Well to get his CPL (commercial pilots licence) he will have to do his PPL first and many flight hours.

It is just the way of life unfortunately. I know somebody who could not get in the Police Force because his is colour blind. Ask how many coppers have to distinguish reds form browns whilst they are catching theives?????

[Thunderchild]

hm that ones a bit stupid I have to admit

[Aprilis]

As I am diabetic I shan't bother trying for a pilot's licence then!

[Thunderchild]

thanks for your understanding Aprilis its nothing personal but I'd rather know that the guy flying the plane is not prone to colapse any minute

[Redbel]

Evening folks :)

Thunderchild, my partners mum is diabetic, she is also partially blind due the diabetes, she has to inject herself daily with insulin......she has not long come back from India and she was fine...they did check with the airline and told them about her condition and the airline said, as long as someone in the group could take responsibilty for her it would be fine. To be honest, they where more worried about her husband when they got back to the UK as his ankles had swelled that much....he had to be wheelchaired out of Heathrow.....Her reply was..... "bleedin typical"....lol

[Thunderchild]

like I said its not as a passenger we are talking.

but forgive me the original article in the link was not showing up go back to http://opinions.freeforums.org/viewtopic.php?p =12#12 to read the original article