BasicMed is the soon-to-be adopted medical certification standard for private pilots written into a new Part 68 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. The FAA in January adopted the rules after a long, and at times contentious, fight with aviation groups that had for years pressed for third-class medical reform. The revised regulations that take effect on May 1 will permit many thousands of pilots to skip their periodic visits to an aviation medical examiner (AME) and instead take a free online aeromedical factors course every two years and visit their personal physician for a checkup every four years.
Is BasicMed Right for You?
Key Takeaways:
- BasicMed is a new FAA medical certification standard for private pilots, allowing eligible pilots to bypass traditional AME visits in favor of a personal physician checkup every four years and a biennial online aeromedical course.
- To qualify, pilots must have held an FAA medical certificate within 10 years prior to July 15, 2016, and possess a U.S. driver's license, with particular benefits for pilots over 40 and those previously requiring special-issuance medicals.
- Operating limitations under BasicMed include flying aircraft weighing 6,000 pounds or less with six or fewer certified seats, remaining within the U.S., below 18,000 feet, under 250 knots indicated airspeed, and not for compensation or hire.
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