Premium on Safety - Issue 35, 2020 - 5

SPOTLIGHT ON SAFETY
concentration and if it is less than 100 mg/dL, the individual must
consume an appropriate glucose snack and re-measure the blood
sugar concentration 30 minutes later. The key is that the blood
glucose reading must be more than 100 mg/dL-but if greater
than 300 mg/dL, the flight must be canceled. In addition, one
hour into a flight, and at each successive hour of flight, pilots must
measure their blood sugar concentration and titrate to appropriate
blood sugar concentrations.

who have avoided use of insulin-even when clinically indicated-just
to avoid losing their medical certificate. They may have ended up
having substandard medical care in the process, but will now be
able to continue with their careers using state-of-the-art medical
practice to care for their underlying condition. Identifying an aviation
medical examiner knowledgeable about the care of complex medical
conditions and who can help guide and advocate for the pilot is key
for negotiating this new rule. Additional information can be obtained
online at: clearapproach.mayoclinic.org.

After initial certification, the re-certification process seems to
be reasonable as well. Each pilot will need to see their treating
physician and keep track of their hemoglobin A1c levels once per
quarter and will be required to utilize a blood glucose measuring
device with memory. The treating healthcare provider will collect
all of the data and send it into the FAA once per year with renewal
of the special issuance authorization. On an annual basis, the pilot
will be required to have an eye examination to rule out diabetic
retinopathy. Every five years after age 40, the pilot will need to
have an exercise stress test to monitor for coronary artery disease
of the heart.
Although the current rule has fairly stringent criteria, the new rule
opens the door for many pilots who have been forced to stand down
in order to receive appropriate therapy. In addition, there are pilots

Clayton T. Cowl, MD, MS
is the Chair of the Division
of Preventive, Occupational
and Aerospace Medicine at
Mayo Clinic on its Rochester,
Minnesota campus, a
commercially-rated pilot,
and a Senior FAA Aviation
Medical Examiner.

Learn more with
AOPA Live This Week.

FAA Federal Register
Notice Special-Issuance
Medical Certification
11/7/2019

QUIZ

The Wonders of Winter
Operating safely in cold, wet weather requires commonsense, math, and physics.
BY AMY LABODA, MANAGING EDITOR, USAIG PREMIUM ON SAFETY
It isn't the cold, necessarily, that endangers pilots and passengers operating in the winter. It's the ice. The slush. The frost.
Take the quiz and discover what you might, or might not know about how water can really ruin your day in winter.
1

On average, 1 inch of rain is equivalent to how many
inches of snow?

A) 5 inches
B) 12 inches
C) 10 inches
2

You just cancelled your flight because ice pellets started
falling during your preflight. The temperature at the
airport is 28 degrees F. What is the temperature of the
air above the airport?
A) 33° F.
B) 26° F.
C) Hard to tell but definitely above freezing.

Learn more about precipitation and icing
weather theory and associated hazards with
ASI's Weather Wise: Precipitation and Icing safety advisor.

How much lift can you lose from frost adhering to
your wings?
A) 10%
B) 50%
C) 30%

What is the procedure for operating an aircraft with
wheel pants in winter conditions?
A) Nothing special. Just keep them clean.
B) Take off the airplane's wheel pants. Ice and slush can collect
under the pants during takeoff and cause the wheels to
lock up when you land.
C) Inspect them daily for cracks from expansion
and contraction.

Answers on page 12

http://clearapproach.mayoclinic.org https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/11/07/2019-24150/special-issuance-medical-certification-diabetes-protocol-for-applicants-seeking-to-exercise-airline https://www.aopa.org/training-and-Safety/Online-Learning/Safety-Advisors-and-Safety-Briefs/Weather-Wise-Precipitation-and-Icing

Premium on Safety - Issue 35, 2020

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