BasicMed
An alternate way for pilots to fly without holding an FAA Medical Certificate
BasicMed
AOPA worked hard for years on behalf of its members to bring about third class medical reform that the FAA refers to as BasicMed. AOPA has developed a suite of online resources for pilots and physicians to help you make the most of the reforms and enjoy your freedom to fly.
What is BasicMed?
BasicMed is an alternative pathway from traditional medical certification. Instead of seeing an aviation medical examiner, pilots who elect to fly with BasicMed work with a state licensed physician to go through a medical checklist every four years, and then take an online course covering various aeromedical topics every two years. Every medical certificate has various privileges and limitations, and so does BasicMed. By flying with a BasicMed qualification, a pilot is limited to a six-place airplane, and five passengers, with a maximum takeoff weight of 6,000 pounds, and can fly up to 250 knots and up to 18,000 feet msl, day or night.
Who is eligible?
Any pilot who is comfortable flying with the aircraft and operating limitations may decide to fly with BasicMed in lieu of a traditional medical certificate, provided they meet a few basic requirements. They must have held at least one valid FAA medical certificate since July 14, 2006, and your most recent medical must not have been revoked or denied. If you held a medical certificate that was valid on July 14, 2006, or later, you don’t need to see an AME. However, if your most recent medical certificate expired prior to that date, or you’ve never had an FAA medical certificate, you must see an AME and obtain a one-time third class medical certificate. Also, the FAA requires pilots to obtain a one-time special-issuance medical if he or she develops certain medical conditions.
How do I complete BasicMed?
To be legal under BasicMed, you must first have a physical exam with a state-licensed physician, who must use and sign an FAA checklist. Then you must take an online self-assessment course on aeromedical factors and upload some data to the FAA upon completing the course.
What are the limitations?
To fly with BasicMed, the aircraft must be certificated for six or fewer occupants with a maximum takeoff weight of 6,000 pounds or less. You can’t carry more than five passengers, fly higher than 18,000 feet, or exceed 250 knots, and it should go without saying that you can’t fly for compensation or hire. (Flight instruction is allowed and the CFI may be compensated for the instruction.) That’s it!
Personal Responsibility
To date, more than 64,000 pilots have completed the online education course to qualify to fly under BasicMed. The course is available on AOPA online, and covers various aeromedical topics. The Mayo Clinic also offers an online course. The process to qualify under BasicMed isn’t difficult, but there are enough differences between it and traditional medical certification that pilots need to spend just a few minutes familiarizing themselves with the steps.