BasicMed Takes Effect

Effective May 1, 2017, you may no longer need to hold an FAA third-class medical certificate to serve as pilot in command. The change results from FAA implementing a Congressional mandate enacted last year, which directed the agency to develop appropriate regulations to eliminate the third-class medical for specified flight operations. The image below, prepared by the FAA, highlights BasicMeds major provisions.

Sunday, April 23, 2017 at 12:00 AM ET

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Key Takeaways:

Effective May 1, 2017, the FAA implemented "BasicMed," allowing pilots to fly for specified operations without a third-class medical certificate, a change mandated by Congress.
To qualify for BasicMed, pilots must complete a specific medical examination checklist with any state-licensed physician, pass an online medical education course, and hold a current U.S. driver's license.
While insurance companies like Avemco will accept BasicMed without affecting premiums, the program has operational limitations (e.g., not for safety pilots unless acting as PIC) and specific eligibility criteria regarding past medical certificates.

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A long time in coming, the policy came as a result of several factors, including 10-plus years of experience with the FAA’s sport pilot certification, which does not require a medical certificate, and implementing legislation introduced and pushed through Congress by U.S. Sen. James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.). Along the way, AOPA and EAA put substantial efforts behind the legislation, helping get it through both houses of Congress and to the President’s desk last year for signature. That’s the big print. And there’s plenty of fine print.