{"id":1004345,"date":"2024-03-26T20:54:34","date_gmt":"2024-03-26T20:54:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fly8ma.com\/?p=1004345"},"modified":"2024-03-29T21:13:47","modified_gmt":"2024-03-29T21:13:47","slug":"basicmed-requirements-and-privileges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fly8ma.com\/basicmed-requirements-and-privileges\/","title":{"rendered":"BasicMed: Requirements and Limitations"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

One crucial aspect of aviation safety is the medical fitness of pilots. For decades, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandated that pilots hold a valid medical certificate to fly. However, in 2017, a new alternative emerged \u2013 BasicMed. Since its<\/span>\u00a0inception, nearly 80,000 pilots have been qualified to fly safely under BasicMed. BasicMed privileges are authorized by the following countries: United States, Mexico, The Bahamas, The Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Republic of the M<\/span>arshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. Here is how you can join them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Understanding BasicMed<\/h2>\n

\"FAABasicMed is an alternative\u00a0pathway for pilots to demonstrate their medical fitness to fly aircraft. It was introduced as a result of the <\/span>FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016<\/a>. The aim was to reduce the regulatory burden on pilots while maintaining safety standards.<\/span><\/p>\n

Requirements<\/h3>\n

To qualify for BasicMed, pilots must meet certain criteria:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Pilot Qualifications<\/strong>: Pilots must hold a valid U.S. driver’s license and have held a medical certificate issued by the FAA at any point after July 14, 2006.<\/li>\n
  2. Medical Examination<\/strong>: Pilots must undergo a medical examination conducted by a state-licensed physician every 48 months. During the examination, the physician will assess the pilot’s overall health and determine their fitness to fly.<\/li>\n
  3. Online Course<\/strong>: An FAA-approved online medical education course is required to be completed by pilots every 24 calendar months. This course covers various topics such as aeromedical factors, medications, and health maintenance for pilots.<\/li>\n
  4. Documentation Submission<\/strong>: After completing the medical examination and online course, pilots must retain the required documentation for their records. This includes the Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist and the Course Completion Certificate from the online course.<\/li>\n
  5. Pilot Self-Assessment<\/strong>: Pilots must conduct a self-assessment of their fitness to fly before each flight. This assessment involves evaluating factors such as recent illnesses, medications, and overall physical condition.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Limitations<\/h3>\n

    You may conduct any operation that you would otherwise be able to conduct with a pilot certificate and a third-class medical with certain limitations.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Aircraft Eligibility<\/strong>: Pilots operating under BasicMed can fly aircraft with a maximum certificated takeoff weight of up to 6,000 pounds.<\/li>\n
    2. Passengers:<\/strong> Carrying no more than five passengers.<\/li>\n
    3. Non-Commercial Operations<\/strong>: BasicMed privileges do not allow to fly for compensation or hire.<\/li>\n
    4. Visual Flight Rules (VFR) & Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Operations<\/strong>: BasicMed allows pilots to fly VFR<\/a> & IFR<\/a>, subject to appropriate ratings and currency requirements, within the United States, at or below 18,000ft MSL, and not exceeding 250knots.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Comprehensive Medical Examination<\/h4>\n

      You must have a comprehensive medical checklist that shows your most recent physical examination was within the past 48 months. The chart below overviews what is examined during your visit with your medical provider and is a brief outline of FAA form 8700<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
      \n

      Medical Examination Checklist<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

      1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Head, face, neck and scalp<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Nose, sinuses, mouth, and throat<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ears, general: (Internal and external (canals) and eardrums (perforation)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Eyes (general), ophthalmoscopic, pupils, (equality and reaction), and ocular motility (associated parallel movement, nystagmus)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lungs and chest: (Not including breast examination)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      6.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Heart: (precordial activity, rhythm, sounds, and murmurs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      7.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Vascular system: (pulse, amplitude, and character and arms, legs, and others)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      8.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Abdomen and viscera: (including hernia)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      9.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Anus: (not including digital examination)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      10.\u00a0 Skin<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      11.\u00a0 G-U system: (not including pelvic examination)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      12.\u00a0 Upper and lower extremities: (strength and range of motion)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      13.\u00a0 Spine and other musculoskeletal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      14.\u00a0 Identifying body marks, scars, and tattoos (size and location)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      15.\u00a0 Lymphatics<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      16.\u00a0 Neurologic: (tendon reflexes, equilibrium, senses, cranial nerves, coordination, etc.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      17.\u00a0 Psychiatric: (appearance, behavior, mood, communication, and memory)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      18.\u00a0 General systemic<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      19.\u00a0 Hearing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      20.\u00a0 Vision: (distant, near, and intermediate vision, field of vision, color vision, and ocular alignment)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      21.\u00a0 Blood pressure and pulse<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      22.\u00a0 Anything else the physician, in his or her medical judgment, considers necessary<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

       <\/p>\n

      \n

      \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 All medical conditions that may affect the safety of flight must be explained on said form. When they occurred, the severity, how it was treated, and if you are currently taking any medication or having treatment for the condition or have to see a physician.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
      \n

      Medical History<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

      A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Frequent or severe headaches<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dizziness or fainting spell<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      C.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Unconsciousness for any reason<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      D.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Eye or vision trouble (except for glasses)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      E.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hay fever or allergy<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      F.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Asthma or lung disease<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      G.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Heart or vascular trouble<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      H.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 High or low blood pressure<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Stomach, liver, or intestinal trouble<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      J.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Kidney stone or blood in urine<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      K.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Diabetes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      L.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Neurological disorders (epilepsy, seizures, stroke, paralysis, etc.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

       <\/p>\n

      FAA-Approved Online Medical Education Course<\/h4>\n

      Once you have completed your medical examination with your physician you will need to register for the free online education course. There are two different courses available to you. Once you have completed all the modules you will need to take a short quiz, print the completion certificate, and place it with the completed physical examination checklist in your logbook.<\/p>\n