BasicMed: The Rules, The Limits, And Whether It Actually Works For You

BasicMed is an alternative to holding an FAA medical certificate for student, recreational and private pilot privileges. The privilege is in 14 CFR 61.113(i), the eligibility rules in 14 CFR 61.23(c)(3) and the course, examination and checklist in 14 CFR part 68. You fly on a valid US driver licence plus an online course and a physical from a State-licensed physician.

Anyone who has held an FAA medical certificate issued under 14 CFR part 67 at some point after 14 July 2006, provided the most recent one was not suspended or revoked, its most recent special issuance was not withdrawn, and the most recent application was not completed and denied. It can be long expired. If you have never held one, you need a third-class medical first.

Two clocks. The comprehensive medical examination with a State-licensed physician is required within the preceding 48 calendar months under 14 CFR 61.23(c)(3), and the online medical education course under 14 CFR 68.3 within the preceding 24 calendar months. Both certificates live in your logbook.

Under 14 CFR 61.113(i): an aircraft authorised to carry not more than 7 occupants with a maximum certificated takeoff weight of not more than 12,500 pounds, no more than 6 passengers on board, not above 18,000 feet MSL, not faster than 250 knots indicated, and not outside the United States unless that country authorises it.

Yes. People write it as two words; the FAA writes it as one. Both refer to the same route under 14 CFR 61.113(i) and 14 CFR part 68.

Any State-licensed physician can, under 14 CFR 68.5 — it does not have to be an Aviation Medical Examiner. The physician works through the checklist in 14 CFR 68.7, which covers vision, hearing, blood pressure and pulse, and a clinical examination from head and neck through heart, lungs, abdomen, spine, neurologic and psychiatric assessment.

No. The completed checklist stays in your logbook under 14 CFR 61.113(i)(3). Nothing is transmitted to the FAA. That also means the accuracy of what you tell your physician is entirely your responsibility, and 14 CFR 61.53 still prohibits flying with a known medical deficiency.

14 CFR 68.9 names them: certain mental health conditions (a severe personality disorder, a psychosis, a bipolar disorder, or substance dependence within the previous two years), certain neurological conditions (epilepsy, a disturbance of consciousness without satisfactory medical explanation, a transient loss of control of nervous system function), and certain cardiovascular conditions (myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease requiring treatment, cardiac valve replacement, heart replacement). It is a one-time gate, but special issuance is slow and the FAA can refuse it.

14 CFR 61.23(c)(1) includes serving as an examiner administering a practical test where the flight is conducted under the conditions and limitations of 14 CFR 61.113(i), and exercising student, recreational or private pilot privileges under those same conditions. Confirm the specific arrangement with your instructor and the examiner before the day, because the aircraft and the operation both have to stay inside the 61.113(i) limits.

No. A discovery flight requires no medical at all, and neither does ground school or the written exam. 14 CFR 61.23(a)(3) requires a third-class medical certificate before you exercise student pilot privileges, which in practice means before your first solo — commonly 15 to 25 hours in.