The day the general aviation community has been waiting for is nearly upon us as the FAA has cleared pilots to prepare to fly under new BasicMed rules without holding an FAA medical certificate – as long as they meet certain requirements.
BasicMed Begins with Launch of AOPA Online Aeromedical Course
Key Takeaways:
- The FAA has approved new BasicMed rules, effective May 1, allowing eligible pilots to fly without an FAA medical certificate by meeting alternative requirements.
- To qualify, pilots must complete a comprehensive medical examination checklist with a state-licensed physician every four years and pass a free online medical education course every two years.
- BasicMed permits flights in aircraft with up to six seats below 18,000 feet and 250 knots (day/night, VFR/IFR), but explicitly prohibits commercial operations.
- The new rules are expected to reduce medical exam frequency and costs, maintain pilot medical privacy, and encourage pilots who previously stopped flying due to medical certificate challenges to return to aviation.
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