Medical reform is a reality

“Much of the general aviation community is ecstatic about BasicMed,” AOPA President Mark Baker said of the new alternative to the third class medical certificate. “May 1 can’t get here soon enough!”

Pilots can fly under the program the FAA is calling BasicMed starting May 1, 2017, and many want to know how they can prepare to take advantage of the rule the first day. Before flying under BasicMed, pilots must get a physical exam by a state-licensed physician, have the associated checklist completed, and complete the online aeromedical course—in that order. Pilots should review the regulation and the advisory circular for an overview of the privileges and limitations of BasicMed.

“We want to make it as easy as possible to understand and comply with BasicMed, so we’ve also created a wealth of Fit to Fly resources for pilots and physicians that further explain the rules,” Baker said.

These resources, as well as an interactive online quiz to help pilots determine whether they can participate in BasicMed and an expansive FAQ page, are available online (www.aopa.org/FittoFly). But many pilots have contacted AOPA with questions. Here are answers to the most common questions the association received after the January 10 announcement.

Q. How does my current medical certification factor into flying under BasicMed?

A. Under BasicMed, pilots who have held a valid medical certificate any time in the decade prior to July 15, 2016, may not need to take another FAA medical exam. The 10-year lookback period applies to both regular and special issuance medicals.

Pilots whose medicals have expired should check the expiration of their most recent medical certificate. The lookback applies to the expiration date of the medical certificate, which is determined using the “Date of Examination” on the certificate and the duration periods listed in FAR 61.23(d). For a regular medical certificate, the expiration date depends on a pilot's age—age 40 or older, or under 40—at the time of the exam. (Expiration dates are listed on special issuance certificates.)

Pilots whose most recent medical certificate was revoked, suspended, withdrawn, or had their most recent application for a medical certificate denied will need to obtain a new medical certificate (regular or special issuance) before they can operate under the reforms. Individuals who have never held an FAA- issued medical certificate, such as new student pilots, will need to obtain an FAA-issued medical certificate (regular or special issuance) one time only.

Q. My medical expires before May 1. What should I do?

A. If your medical certificate expires before May 1 and in the meantime you wish to continue flying as pilot in command under recreational or higher certification levels, you must hold a current and valid medical certificate to continue exercising those privileges. Sport pilot privileges and Light Sport aircraft are still options for a driver’s license medical. Pilots may let their medical certificate expire and not fly as pilot in command between the expiration of their medical certificate and the start of BasicMed on May 1.

Q. My medical certificate expires after May 1. Can I fly under BasicMed?

A. Pilots may opt to fly under BasicMed or their valid medical certificate. If pilots opt to fly under BasicMed, they will need to comply with the operating limitations listed in the rule. They also would need to have a physical exam, complete the associated checklists (and keep the paperwork in their logbook or a digital reproduction that can be shown upon request), and take an approved online aeromedical education course—all prior to flying under BasicMed.

Q. I just got my medical certificate. Will that satisfy the requirements of BasicMed?

A. No. BasicMed requires an exam by a state-licensed physician performed in accordance with the new rules, and the completion of the medical examination checklist. So, pilots’ third, second, or first class medical exams will not meet the requirement for the physical exam. Pilots could either fly under their current and valid medical, or take the steps to fly under BasicMed.

Q. If I want to fly under BasicMed on May 1, when do I see my physician, complete the doctor’s checklist, and take the aeromedical course?

A. Pilots will need to complete the physical exam, associated checklists, and online medical education course before operating under BasicMed privileges. AOPA is working with the FAA to make the medical education course and physical exam checklist form available as soon as possible.

Q. Can a physician’s assistant perform my physical and complete the checklist?

A. The statute, final rule, and advisory circular are all very specific that the exam must be performed by a “state-licensed physician.” See Section 7.3 of the advisory circular.

AOPA does not believe that a physician’s assistant would be recognized as a state-licensed physician.

Q. Can my aviation medical examiner do the physical exam for BasicMed?

A. Aviation medical examiners are required to be state-licensed physicians, so pilots could continue to visit their AME for the physical exam required by BasicMed.

Q. When will the online aeromedical course and doctor’s checklist be available?

A. The FAA is currently reviewing the AOPA Air Safety Institute’s online aeromedical education course. AOPA and the FAA are working together to bring the course online and ensure it meets the BasicMed medical education course requirements. AOPA will notify pilots as soon as the course is available. The FAA will hopefully release the doctor’s checklist as soon as possible, as well.

Q. Can I fly internationally (to Mexico or Canada) under BasicMed?

A. According to the rule, flights under BasicMed “must be geographically limited to operations within the United States” unless pilots receive authorization from the country in which they will be flying. Call the AOPA Pilot Information Center (800-USA-AOPA) or the country’s aviation authority to see what is needed to fly in that country.

Q. Can I instruct under BasicMed?

A. Yes. The FAA has stated that “flight instructors meeting the requirements of this rule may act as PIC while giving flight training without holding a medical certificate, regardless of whether the person receiving flight training holds a medical certificate.” The FAA considers the flight instructor who is acting as PIC to be “receiving compensation for his or her flight instruction” under instructor privileges but is “exercising private pilot privileges while acting as PIC of the flight.”

Notable People in Aviation History

Baroness de la Roche was the first woman to earn a fixed-wing pilot’s license (real name Elise Raymonde Deroche). Previously a balloonist, she held license number 36 of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale at the age of 24. She participated in aviation gatherings in Heliopolis, Egypt; Budapest, Hungary; Rouen, France; and Saint Petersburg (Tsar Nicholas II praised her for her bravery and audacity). She was described as a “young and pretty” comedienne (which probably meant she was an actress, in the jargon of the time, although she was also described as a “lyrical artist” or singer). Women of Aviation Worldwide Week is held each year in March, commemorating de la Roche and the advances of women in aviation.