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<\/a>That was 22 years ago.\u00a0 Today Douglas Cairns is not only back in the cockpit, he’s attempting to break the solo speed record between Barrow, Alaska and the North Pole.\u00a0 His expedition, Diabetes Polar Flight<\/a>, which raises funds for JDRF<\/a>, will take place on April 17th.\u00a0 Douglas also plans to cross the Magnetic North Pole and hopes to land at a Russian Ice Camp which is approximately 60 miles from the Pole. We had the opportunity to talk to Douglas about his childhood, his type 1 diabetes diagnosis, and flying.<\/p>\nHow did you feel at the time of your diagnosis?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Part of me was just relieved that I wasn’t being diagnosed with something more immediately life threatening than type 1 diabetes.\u00a0 Diabetes is a manageable condition.\u00a0 You’ve got to work hard at it, but it’s controllable.\u00a0 In the first two years, it was difficult going from an established flying career to a desk job. \u00a0This was in 1989 and no country allowed even private flying for pilots with type 1 diabetes.\u00a0 So I changed careers, to finance. \u00a0When I look back at that period I realize that although I wasn’t diagnosed with depression, I was probably suffering from it.<\/p>\n It really took me a change of job in the finance world (embarking on a fund management career) to get me feeling happy again.\u00a0 My passion for flying remained and I still flew with instructors, but I wasn’t licensed to fly solo.<\/p>\n In 1999 I learned the U.S. had introduced a system for flying with T1.\u00a0 I was really encouraged.\u00a0 The following year I got my medical and my license in the U.S.\u00a0 It was fantastic to get back to flying.<\/p>\n How do you manage your diabetes? <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n I use multiple daily injections of Lantus and Humalog.\u00a0 I test my blood sugar 8-12 times a day.\u00a0 For the last three years I’ve used a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), a Dexcom 7 Plus.\u00a0 The CGM is a very powerful and terrific tool.\u00a0 I also believe in exercise.\u00a0 I ski and I’m a qualified ski instructor. I used to do a lot of work with the disabled.\u00a0 When I was in Alaska a few weeks ago, I skied.\u00a0 I also aim to exercise 3 times a week.\u00a0 It helps me maintain good blood sugar control.<\/p>\n What are the regulations for flying with diabetes?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n You’ve got to pass a medical exam, prove you’re well controlled and well educated, show your HbA1c report history, your doctor’s review, blood testing log, and proof you don’t have diabetes complications.\u00a0 When flying you must test blood sugar 30 minutes before take off, each hour of the flight, and 30 minutes before landing.\u00a0 Your blood sugar range must be between 100-300 mg\/dl.\u00a0 If you aren’t in that range, you can’t take off.\u00a0 If you’re flying and above 300 you need to land as soon as practical and bring sugar within range before flying again.\u00a0 That’s never happened to me.\u00a0 If you’re under 100 you have to ingest 20 grams of quick acting carbohydrate.\u00a0 I find this method very safe and effective.\u00a0 The CGM helps a lot also.\u00a0 I have it velcroed to my instrument panel.\u00a0 I can just push a button and get a reading whenever I want to.<\/p>\n Do you test in addition to the CGM?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Yes.\u00a0 I test according to the regulatory requirements.<\/p>\n You don’t sound at all concerned about flying with diabetes.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n I’m not.\u00a0 I think the system is safe and effective.\u00a0 There are over 500 pilots in the USA using this system.\u00a0 A pilot has a lot of cockpit checks to go through and the blood testing just becomes part of the routine checks and a routine part of flying.<\/p>\n Can you tell us about your upcoming North Pole expedition?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n It’s exciting.\u00a0 Our 50 states flight last year was one of the most memorable aviation events of 2010.\u00a0 I’ve been looking into the North Pole flight since 2006, but my sponsorship fell through.\u00a0 This year I’m using personal funds and sponsorship to cover the cost of the flight and any donations go directly to JDRF.<\/p>\n This year the goal is to set the speed record from Barrow, Alaska to the geographic North Pole.\u00a0 I also hope to cross the magnetic North Pole.<\/p>\n How long does this flight take?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n It will take 7.5 to 8 hours to reach the North Pole.<\/p>\n What do you take with you? <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n (Laughing).\u00a0 An extra 257 gallons of fuel.\u00a0 I’ll also be taking a shot gun in case of polar bears.\u00a0 I’ll be taking a survival kit.\u00a0 I’ve got food, two satellite phones, a locator beacon, special clothes that are good to -40 degrees c, boots, trousers, jackets, and gloves.\u00a0 So if I have to be out in the ice, I’ll be well-protected.\u00a0 I’ve got a sleeping bag that’s good to -60 degrees c.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/asweetlife.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/dpf_training.jpg\" "\\"dpf_training\\"")
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<\/a><\/em><\/strong>How will you keep your diabetes equipment from freezing?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n