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Diabetes World Flight (DWF) is the first
round-the-world flight by a
licenced pilot with Type 1 Diabetes. In 2003, Douglas
Cairns flew 26,300
nautical miles through 22 countries in a twin-engine
aircraft, raising
US$26,000 for diabetes research. After writing a book "Dare To Dream: Flying
Solo With Diabetes" about his life & flying
experiences with diabetes,
Douglas now delivers educational & motivational talks
to the diabetes
industry in the USA and Europe.
Diabetes World Flight demonstrates that a
licenced
pilot with Type 1
Diabetes can fly safely according to US flying
regulations. In time it is
hoped that other countries will adopt similar systems
to allow pilots with
diabetes to fly - Diabetes need not limit the scope of
people's dreams and
ambitions.
Youtube Links to flying in Colorado's Rocky
Mountains:
Youtube
Indian Peaks flight #1
Youtube
Indian Peaks flight #2
Youtube
Indian Peaks flight #3
Book
Now Available
Activities
2007 & 2008 (updated
April 2008)
In November 2007 the inaugural
meeting was held for "Pilots With Diabetes" (www.pilotswithdiabetes.com),
a British-based group of former commercial & military
pilots, existing and prospective private pilots,
all of whom have Type 1 Diabetes. The aim of the
group (and website) is to gather information that
can help enable people with type 1 diabetes to
fly professionally in the UK. The website also
aims to act as a point of information contact for
pilots with diabetes trying to do the same in different
countries. Please log on to find out more information.
Douglas is now based in London
in the fund management industry and continues to
fly regularly in the USA using the Diabetes World
Flight aircraft. A keynote speech is scheduled
for the Glasgow Diabetes UK Scotland Hummingbird
Ball on 6 June (www.diabetes.org.uk)
It is also planned to attend the Children With
Diabetes (www.childrenwithdiabetes.com) Friends
For Life conference in Orlando in July, and Taking
Control of Your Diabetes(www.tcoyd.com)
Conference & Fairs
later in the year.
In 2007 Douglas gave a series of
motivational talks on behalf of Sanofi-Aventis
to the American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org) Expos at Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Portland, San
Antonio and Seattle, and also to Taking Control
of Your Diabetes (www.tcoyd.com)
Conferences and Health Fairs in Hawaii, Las Vegas
and Los Angeles.
Background to Diabetes
World Flight
In 1989, Douglas lost his military fast-jet flying career when
he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 25. At present
the US is the only country in the world that can issue a medical
licence to individuals with Type 1 Diabetes to exercise full
Private Pilot Licence privileges. DWF aims to show that it is
possible for such licenced pilots to fly safely according to
US FAA regulations. Overall,
Douglas wants to show that clinical conditions such as Diabetes
should not limit the scope of people's dreams.
Diabetes is a growing clinical
condition worldwide that has both short-term
and long-term health and lifestyle implications
for sufferers. Research projects are key to finding
ways to improve diabetes healthcare and ultimately
prevention and cure. Donations received by DWF
were awarded to the Diabetes UK Research Fund
(www.diabetes.org.uk)
and the Children With Diabetes Foundation (www.childrenwithdiabetes.com).
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