BasicMed Status Report

After about eight months, as of early November, according to AOPA, approximately 25,000 pilots had taken advantage of BasicMed since the official roll-out on May 1, 2017. Since the FAA does not track this, we dont know the exact percentage of pilots who did not have a current medical after a multi-year hiatus from flying and decided to get back into flying with BasicMed, as opposed to pilots with medicals who renewed expiring medicals with BasicMed. AOPA estimates about 50% for each group. It will probably take at least two years for the BasicMed numbers to stabilize as pilots with current medicals decide to renew with BasicMed, but at this time it seems to be working.

lbencini-tibo

Monday, January 08, 2018 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

BasicMed, adopted by approximately 25,000 pilots in its first eight months, offers an alternative medical certification for private/recreational pilots, helping both those returning to flying and those renewing medicals.
It permits VFR/IFR operations below flight levels in aircraft with up to six seats and a 6,000 lb. MTOW, carrying no more than five passengers and not exceeding 250 KIAS, but is not for hire and has international limitations.
The BasicMed medical exam focuses on a physician's holistic judgment of a pilot's fitness to fly, rather than requiring diagnoses or adherence to strict FAA standards, and is supplemented by an online medical education course.
BasicMed exams are valid for 48 calendar months and the online course for two years; however, pilots are responsible for understanding and explaining BasicMed to physicians, as well as maintaining self-certification of fitness to fly.

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After about eight months, as of early November, according to AOPA, approximately 25,000 pilots had taken advantage of BasicMed since the official roll-out on May 1, 2017. Since the FAA does not track this, we don’t know the exact percentage of pilots who did not have a current medical after a multi-year hiatus from flying and decided to get back into flying with BasicMed, as opposed to pilots with medicals who renewed expiring medicals with BasicMed. AOPA estimates about 50% for each group. It will probably take at least two years for the BasicMed numbers to stabilize as pilots with current medicals decide to renew with BasicMed, but at this time it seems to be working.

A Fresh Look

While the BasicMed roll out is still at its infancy, I have heard comments and observations from fellow pilots and CFIs that perhaps reflect a lack of full understanding of BasicMed. But first, let me be clear: BasicMed is not for every pilot, just like a First Class FAA medical is not for every pilot. Some pilots might find it stressful to search for a doctor willing to do a BasicMed exam or explain BasicMed to a doctor. It is simply another option for pilots who fly powered aircraft. If you prefer to get an FAA physical, there is nothing in BasicMed that would prevent you from doing so.