According to a new rule by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), general aviation pilots can begin their preparations to fly under BasicMed without holding a FAA medical certificate as long as they meet certain medical requirements on May 1.
BasicMed provides general aviation pilots an alternative to the FAA’s medical qualification process for third-class medical certificates. Under the program, pilots will be required to complete a medical education course every two years and complete a medical examination every four years. In addition, pilots will be required to comply with aircraft and operating restrictions such as weight and plane occupancy limits.
For pilots to fly under the BasicMed rule, a pilot must possess a valid driver’s license, consent to a National Driver Register check, hold a medical certificate that was valid at any time after July 15, 2006, have not had any medical certificates revoked, and have taken a BasicMed online medical education course within the last 24 months.
Other provisions of the BasicMed rule include a requirement that every pilot complete a comprehensive medical examination with any state-licensed physician within the past 48 months and that they have been found eligible for special issuance of a medical certificate for certain specified mental health, neurological, or cardiovascular conditions.