FAA acknowledges BasicMed form error

The alternative to third class medical certification used by tens of thousands of pilots to medically qualify was expanded by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. As of November 12, 2024, BasicMed pilots have been allowed to fly aircraft weighing up to 12,500 pounds, with as many as seven occupants. FAA Form 8700-2, as the CMEC is otherwise known, however, continues to cite the previous limits (six occupants, 6,000 pounds maximum aircraft weight) on pages 1 and 7.

AOPA flagged the issue to the FAA's attention, and the FAA advised that the ongoing government shutdown precludes any action to correct the form, which may take time to fix once the government reopens, given the complexities of complying with the federal Paperwork Reduction Act, as well as directives from the White House budget office. FAA staff noted the agency's BasicMed website has been updated in keeping with the 2024 changes.

Since BasicMed (a measure championed by AOPA) became available in 2017, more than 90,000 pilots have qualified to fly with this medical privilege, and today more than 50,000 pilots are actively using the program. The FAA has studied data and concluded that BasicMed has had no negative impact on safety. As more safety data are collected, and if the safety trends continue as expected, AOPA will advocate for the removal of remaining operational limitations including the 250-knot airspeed and 18,000-foot altitude limits.

AOPA also continues to work with the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association to develop a reciprocal agreement between the U.S. and Canadian governments that would allow BasicMed pilots to fly in Canadian airspace.

Pilots interested in learning more can access an online suite of BasicMed tools providing step-by-step guidance.