Where is it Possible to Fly Commercially?

At this time pilots with insulin treated diabetes in Canada, UK, Ireland, Austria and Australia can fly multi-crew operations. Kuwait also allows commercial flying - specific details are currently being sought. The USA FAA enables commercial flying with no operational multi-crew restriction.

Canada's system was introduced in 2002 and the UK's system was introduced in August 2012 followed by Ireland in 2015 and Austria and Poland after this.

In all countries it is possible to return to commercial flying if diagnosis occurs while employed in commercial operations (or a commercial licence and Class 1 Medical has been held before) once stabilized diabetes control can be demonstrated.

In Canada a new ruling introduced in 2019 enables "ab initio" pilots to train for a commercial pilot’s licence and commercial flying career. The USA has no restriction requiring applicants to have flown commercially before diagnosis of diabetes.

At this time a person wishing to enter a commercial flying career using the UK, Ireland, Austria and Poland systems with no previous Class 1 Medical or Commercial Licence, it is not possible to gain a Class 1 Medical. It is hoped that this restrictive policy will be changed by the UK soon and followed by the other European countries.

Military Flying