Community
Build a trusted peer network where aviation professionals can connect openly, share lived experience, and learn from one another without judgment.
What is DAPA?
Our Mission
Diabetic Aviation Professionals (DAPA) is a peer-led professional community for pilots, flight attendants, air traffic controllers, and other aviation professionals living with diabetes.
Our mission is to support responsible, disciplined health management within high-performance aviation environments. We aim to provide credible, experience-based insight into medical certification pathways, operational readiness, and long-term career sustainability.
DAPA exists to foster connection, improve awareness, and reinforce the principle that aviation safety, professionalism, and chronic condition management can coexist at the highest standards of the industry.
Built by aviation professionals, for aviation professionals, DAPA remains grounded in operational awareness and respect for regulatory standards.
Our Goals
Awareness
Improve understanding of diabetes in aviation by highlighting practical realities, responsible health management, and the professionalism of those living with it.
Future Advocacy
As DAPA grows, we aim to increase visibility and professional representation of aviation professionals living with diabetes within the broader industry.
Support
Provide practical encouragement and resource direction for certification journeys, day-to-day operations, and long-term career wellness in aviation.
Aviation Careers & Diabetes
Advances in medical monitoring, treatment, and regulatory policy have made it possible for qualified individuals living with diabetes (including insulin-dependent Type 1) to pursue professional aviation careers.
While certification pathways require structured medical oversight and personal responsibility, diabetes is no longer an automatic barrier to aviation.
DAPA aims to improve awareness of this reality while reinforcing the importance of safety, professionalism, and disciplined health management within the industry.
Our Team
Gabriel Urdaneta
Founder, Diabetic Aviation Professionals (DAPA)
Airbus A320 First Officer
Gabriel Urdaneta is an Airbus A320 First Officer and the founder of Diabetic Aviation Professionals (DAPA).
In February 2025, at age 25, Gabriel was unexpectedly hospitalized and diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes following a severe episode of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Prior to that event, he had no known history of the condition.
Due to medical certification requirements, Gabriel was temporarily removed from flight status while navigating the FAA Special Issuance process for his First Class Medical. During this time, he gained firsthand experience with the regulatory and medical complexities involved in returning to active aviation duty, as well as the limited availability of structured, aviation-specific resources for professionals living with diabetes.
After successfully regaining his medical certification and returning to flight status, Gabriel founded DAPA to establish a professional community focused on operational responsibility, safety, and long-term career sustainability. DAPA was created to provide aviation professionals with credible support and shared experience while navigating life with diabetes, including the Special Issuance certification process.