COURTESY OF DOUGLAS CAIRNS
Despite some "demanding moments," Douglas Cairns says his diabetes has not been an issue on his round-the-world flight.
Douglas Cairns was a flying instructor in the Royal Air Force in Great Britain when he was diagnosed at age 25 with diabetes. Pilot with diabetes
nears end of
round-world flightA former RAF officer arrives
in the islands on a mission to prove
he can lead a full lifeDoctors and dietitians will answer questions
By Helen Altonn
haltonn@starbulletin.com"Basically, my flying career was finished on the spot," he said. He could no longer hold a solo private pilot's license.
Now 39, the insulin-dependent diabetic has a medical pilot's license, owns an airplane and is in Hawaii on the last leg of a round-the-world flight to prove that "diabetes shouldn't limit the scope of peoples' ambitions and dreams."
After leaving the air force, Cairns developed a career in finance and moved to Bangkok with a British company to help set up a venture with Thailand.
However, his "love for flying never went away," and he continued to fly with instructors.
Then, 3 1/2 years ago, he discovered he could get a private pilot's medical license in the United States if he could show his disease was under good control and underwent rigorous medical reporting.
"It took quite some time to set up," he said. Doctors in Thailand performed physicals for the Federal Aviation Administration, and he took his pilot's exam in 2000.
He said he "was always fascinated with solo around-the-world flights in a tiny aircraft," and when he realized he might regain his license, he thought, "Why not do it yourself, tie in awareness in diabetes and demonstrate to aviation authorities around the world that you can fly safely according to U.S. flying regulations?"
He bought a Beech Baron B-58 light twin aircraft in Nebraska last August and modified it to add a Global Positioning System, long-distance radio and extra fuel tanks to increase distance.
His adventure began Sept. 24 from Omaha, Neb., flying over Iceland, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific islands. He arrived here last week and plans to leave from Hilo Saturday if winds are favorable.
Cairns said he's "pretty much on target" to end the trip next Thursday in Omaha.
"I haven't had as much fun as this in years," he said. "Overall, the experience has been tremendous in terms of managing diabetes. Fortunately, I'm always disciplined in my approach. I just bash on as usual."
Diabetes is a chronic disorder associated with abnormally high levels of sugar in the blood. People with Type 1, or juvenile diabetes, are dependent upon insulin to reduce sugar buildup in the body. Type 2 diabetes more likely occurs in older ages and often can be treated by diet.
Cairns said he exercises regularly, jogging and swimming as "a good way to keep control." He's been doing both while here, he said. "It's great to stay down in Waikiki where I have access to the beach."
He injects insulin before breakfast and dinner, and tests his blood sugar eight times a day with an Accu-Chek compact system containing 17 strips.
Flight regulations require checking blood sugars within 30 minutes of takeoff, every hour into a flight and within 30 minutes of landing, he said.
If his glucose level is too low or he is flying through a storm and it is inconvenient to test, he ingests 20 grams of carbohydrates to raise his blood sugar.
Despite some "fairly demanding moments" during the flight, he said his diabetes "has not been an issue at all."
He said the trip has taken longer than it would ordinarily because he met with diabetes associations in different countries, including the American Diabetes Association Hawaii.
He said the biggest diabetes epidemics appear to be in Asian countries and Pacific islands.
Wendy Sefo, ADA Hawaii executive director, said an estimated 96,000 Hawaii residents have diabetes, including many who do not know they have it.
Cairns said, "I'm keen to push the message: If you do have a disciplined approach to control, you can lead a completely normal life and do anything you put your mind to.
"A large part of that is an issue of discrimination," he said. "It boils down to what people allow you to do." For example, only four countries allow diabetics to fly solo on a private license.
The United States and Canada are the most flexible, he said. Australia was the first country to allow it but requires an additional safety pilot for flight. Great Britain introduced a national private pilot's license last year, he said.
He had to be accompanied by certified flying instructors on non-U.S. routes where his FAA Class 3 Medical with Type 1 Diabetes license is not valid.
Cairns personally financed the $300,000 world flight, and he has been raising money throughout the trip to donate for diabetes research. He has received cash and pledges totaling $19,000.
He said a lot of people wanted to see him complete the flight before making a donation, so he is continuing the fund-raising campaign through August.
His Web site is www.diabetesworldflight.com.
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Two events are scheduled in Honolulu next month to increase awareness of diabetes and raise money for research and educational programs. Doctors and dietitians
will answer questionsAn "Alert Day" will be observed from 9 a.m. to noon March 25 at the Capitol. People with questions about managing diabetes can get the answers from doctors, dietitians or diabetes educators. Screenings will be available for eyes, feet, blood glucose and blood pressure, cholesterol and body mass index.
Chevron Hawaii's Walk for diabetes will be held March 29, starting at 8 a.m. at Kapiolani Park.
The walk is the ADA's largest revenue-generating special event, with more than $55,000 raised last year by nearly 1,200 participants volunteers and sponsors.
Organizers hope to boost participation to 1,400 this year and raise $62,500, as well as heighten public awareness of the seriousness of diabetes and its complications.
Walkers can choose a 1.8- or 2.3-mile course. Registration will begin at 7 a.m. For more information, call the ADA at 947-5979 or 888-DIABETES, toll-free; or see diabetes.org/walk.
Helen Altonn, Star-Bulletin
