Last week a customer of our flight school earned his Private Pilot Certificate with 44 hours of aeronautical experience. Our average is about 55 and some take more than 70 which is closer to the national average. I began to ponder how we could have this range of total experience with the same instructors using the same curriculum in the same aircraft.
While sitting at the desk in my home office, I looked up at my modest collection of books. Late last century “self-help” was a popular subject in bookstores (note: before iPads and Kindles people went to retail bookstores or the public library and read actual books written on actual paper). One of the most popular was The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People written by Stephen Covey in 1989. It had probably been 20 years since I last read this book but the 7 habits immediately came back to mind. These habits were written for business people but I think they can pertain to flight students as well. Consider.
Be Proactive
Covey would warn us not to settle into a reactive mode, waiting for problems to occur before taking action. Could anything be more applicable to flying an airplane? Flight planning, keeping potential landing areas in sight, and devising alternative plans are something pilots do on a routine basis. Being proactive also means taking an active role in flight training. Does your instructor use a training course outline? Do you see it? Do you take the opportunity to preview your next lesson, “chair fly” the maneuvers, and study the appropriate material? If so, you are being proactive – our first habit.
Begin with the End in Mind
Envision your success
This habit is about goal setting and envisioning what you want in the future so you can plan and work towards that goal. It’s easy to get bogged down in the regulations, maneuvers, radio phraseology, intricacies of airspace, etc. and forget why you wanted to learn to fly in the first place. Are you looking to make flying your career? Then picture yourself in the left seat of an airliner with a hand full of throttles. Buy yourself a captain’s hat and hang it up as a reminder of your goal. Do you want to fly for your personal business or pleasure? Plan that first big trip, whether it is to the beach, mountains or grandma’s house. Plot it on a sectional chart and put it where it’s accessible when you need some encouragement. And then smile at the prospect and get back to work.
Put First Things First
Covey writes that leaders are able to perform a triage of tasks to see that the most important and urgent things are completed first and the less important put off to last. Pilots perform these calculations on a continual basis from pre-flight planning to post-flight cocktail. Operating within the limits of your abilities, the airplane’s abilities, and the range of the fuel tanks are always paramount. During flight training a well thought out course of study will lead to the quickest and most economical route to your certificate. That is why we practice ground reference maneuvers before traffic patterns, stalls before landings, and learn about charts, weather and airspace before cross country flights.
Putting first things first is why aircraft have checklists and why those memory items are first.
Think Win – Win
Winning involves being a good aviation citizen
Whereas the book emphasizes a win for all involved will make for a better problem resolution than if only one side gets their way, I look at win-win from the practical way we, as pilots, need to think about sharing airports, airplanes and airspace. Sure we can always assert ourselves and see that we are the first to our “favorite” airplane, keys and fuel. We can probably stick our gum wrapper in the seat pocket and no one will notice until you are well away from the aircraft. We can force our way onto the taxiway and runway and be the first in the air.
Returning for landing, we can enter the pattern a little farther downwind or on base to cut off that other airplane. If that makes you feel like a winner, consider taking up skydiving, where sometimes, the first one to the ground is the big loser. Largely the pilot population views itself as an exclusive club where a perfectly executed crosswind landing is the secret handshake and we all have learned to get along.
Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
Covey touts the power of empathetic listening to fully consider both (or all) sides of a proposition in order to understand the best way to promote your way of thinking. In flight training, I have found our most successful students study their assignments before coming to the lesson. The simple task minimizes the time in “ground school” and maximizes learning while in the air.
The aircraft cockpit is a lousy classroom for learning anything but the physical skills needed to fly the airplane. It is noisy, often a little cramped, and where keeping the aircraft upright and on course can take our full attention. Trying to learn anything else can lead to a cognitive overload with its tunnel vision that may keep the student from learning anything.
Synergize
Your instructor is part of your team
The ability to synergize means to accomplish a goal by forming and working as a team. Your team is your flight instructor, yourself, and hopefully a mentor. A pilot mentor who has been through the process will be able to help you see the big picture and keep you on track. FAR Part 61 (the regulations governing pilot certification) requires a minimum amount of instruction from an “authorized instructor.” An FAA Certified Flight Instructor has that authorization so he or she is a federally mandated part of your team.
That leaves you. For the team to be productive you must come to your flight lessons prepared both mentally and physically to get the most from the time and money you are about to spend.
Sharpen the Saw
In late winter one of the chores on the farm is cleaning out the fence rows of the new tree saplings that germinated and grew last year. Working with small trees and brush growing close to the fence, the chainsaw will either make contact with the dirt or the fence dulling the cutters. In order to be productive, it will be important to sharpen the saw daily or maybe more often. Mr. Covey explains the “Upward Spiral” model where sharpening the saw with meaningful and consistent progress resulting in growth, change and constant improvement.
As pilots, we sharpen our saws by staying current. In a legal way, this is accomplished with the required landings, approaches, etc. Now we must also stay current with technology as GPS Com-Navigators replace the old Nav-Coms and our charts move from paper to tablets.
Again taking reference from the farm, if a plant is not growing it is probably dying. As pilots, we want to continue our growth which will lead to continuous improvement.
Your instructor may teach you about the need of staying ahead of the airplane and warn of the often dire consequences for those who fall behind. Learning the 7 habits and applying them to your flight training will go a long way of getting you ahead, keeping you ahead, and making you that highly effective pilot.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/05182449/Slow-flight-OS.png720960studentpltnewshttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/17092615/FTC_Redesign_2025_WhiteRed_WEB.pngstudentpltnews2017-05-15 10:00:042021-06-08 19:23:30Seven habits of highly effective pilots
Are helicopters impossible to fly? Not really, but they do take practice. In this week’s fun flying video, you’ll ride along as a brand new pilot learns how to hover both a Robinson R22 and R44 helicopter. From the embarrassing first flight to the physics behind hovering, you’ll get an inside look at what rotary wing flight is all about.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/05175848/hovering-a-helicopter.jpg450800studentpltnewshttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/17092615/FTC_Redesign_2025_WhiteRed_WEB.pngstudentpltnews2017-05-12 12:30:342021-06-08 19:23:30Video: learning to hover a helicopter
The “airport in the sky” is just 26 miles off the coast of Southern California, an easy trip in almost any airplane and yet seemingly a world away from everyday life. Landing at the 3000-foot long runway on top of a mountain requires some preparation and airspeed control, but the view is unforgettable. In this week’s video, fly along with experienced pilot Marc Lee as he explains what it takes to fly to AVX, then flies the trip in his stunning Great Lakes biplane.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/05175915/Catalina-screen-shot.jpg5741100studentpltnewshttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/17092615/FTC_Redesign_2025_WhiteRed_WEB.pngstudentpltnews2017-05-05 11:25:402021-06-08 19:23:30Video: flying to Catalina Island in a biplane
Learning to fly is not getting cheaper, but there’s no substitute for the magic of flight. It’s a significant investment, but one with amazing benefits and rewards. Just as any savvy consumer would do, you should be confident you are receiving good value for the product or service you are receiving including flight training. To go a step further, there are key steps you can take to maximize that value while having more fun along the way.
Choosing the right school is the first step to maximizing value. Seeking a personal referral, consulting online reviews, speaking to other customers, and utilizing the benchmarks of any good organization you choose to interact with is always a good place to begin.
Lowest cost doesn’t mean the best value in training. The expression “you get what you pay for” comes to mind after speaking with clients from other schools over the years and there are, unfortunately, plenty of strategies for masking the true costs of flight training. In the end, a sound financial plan is key so an honest expectation of total cost is critical to your success.
Once you’ve committed to a professional flight training organization and a quality flight instructor, your total cost is most likely a function of hourly pricing – composed of the aircraft and instructor. Since learning to fly is a different experience for each person, and likely no two pilots will achieve certification in the same amount of training time, how you prepare for training will matter most when it comes to saving time and money. Here are some recommendations to help.
Follow a syllabus and prepare for each lesson.
Prepare for each lesson – Coming to each flight or ground lesson prepared and ready to learn will save you the most money of all the strategies I will discuss. Having assignments and personal review completed prior to beginning a new task or topic will allow you to complete the task in less time. It will also give you better perspective venturing into the unknown.
Reviewing a procedure manual or checklist will pay dividends as it is sure to save time in the airplane. Spending time on the ground by yourself, or with your instructor, to review these flight critical items allows you to not waste time in the air discussing them with the engine running. It’s well known that the airplane itself makes for a terrible classroom.
Know what’s next – Working from a syllabus is imperative to maintaining focus and an awareness of how the various training components fit together. You can’t come prepared to a lesson if you don’t know what to study in advance. Keeping your training records up to date is another commonly missed detail for those who are working from a syllabus. Make sure that you also have a copy of your records if your school keeps a copy for their purposes so that you are aware of your own progress and areas of strength and weakness. Own your experience.
Make use of a home study course.
Use a home study course – Having a specific program that helps you study and prepare for both your written exam and checkride is a great way to save significant time and money during your training. These courses allow you to see (rather than read) what many of the maneuvers and knowledge areas are about. You can view and review material at your own pace and in the comfort of your home, office or while you’re on the go.
Train consistently – Ask any instructor, flight school, or other pilot on the topic and you’ll receive a similar response: frequency and continuity of training = time/money savings.
Too much time between lessons allows skills to degrade and your aviation knowledge base to weaken. In order to regain the ground you’ve lost, you’ll need to re-learn some material which equates to more time and money.
We recommend at least 2-3 days per week to commit to your aviation learning. Although you will spend money at a faster pace, your total investment will be less and your overall experience more enjoyable. If you’re unable to train at this frequency, try “chair flying” at home to review your last flight before you go back for your next lesson – mentally replaying the training session in your mind.
Communicate concerns early!
Communicate issues early – If you feel that your training is not going the way you expected, or you are having a difficulty with a specific area, address these concerns early! Don’t allow problem areas to fester into feelings of hopeless or frustration. You’re not the first or the only one feeling this way.
Discussing concerns early and often will allow you to get around obstacles more quickly. Instructors have techniques and experience for getting through road blocks, but they aren’t mind-readers. While common issues may be apparent to your instructor, communication is the only way to make sure you are both on the same page. Remember, own your experience.
Let’s get it done! Your training won’t always go as planned. You’ll have good days and bad. You’ll have ups and downs and triumphs and challenges. This is normal and every pilot experiences it. Among all the strategies discussed, it’s important to stay energized and focused on your goals. Make adjustments when necessary and remember why you’re here – this is aviation, it’s FUN!
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/05181316/Exterior-Preflight-YT-2.jpg10801920studentpltnewshttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/17092615/FTC_Redesign_2025_WhiteRed_WEB.pngstudentpltnews2017-05-01 12:28:412021-06-08 19:23:30Save money with these 5 simple flight training steps
Many pilots consider soaring to be the purest form of flying, a delicate balance between airspeed and altitude that requires a deep understanding of aerodynamics. It’s also an awful lot of fun, as this video shows. Ride along on an intro flight in a glider to see what an aero tow looks like, how glider pilots find lift, and just how peaceful a glider cockpit can be.
Third-class medical reform may eliminate the need to visit an AME.
If you’ve held a valid medical certificate at any point after July 14, 2006, you may never have to see an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) again under the BasicMed rule.
And for those just getting started, you may be able to complete just one AME medical exam at the beginning of your flying and then use the simplified basic med process as long as your flying can be accomplished with third class privileges.
3rd class medical reform includes recreational or personal flying
Third class medical flying can be thought of as recreational or personal flying – generally flight training and all types of flying short of commercial operations including day and night VFR operations and even IFR flying. When flying under basic med, there is a maximum number of passengers that may be carried – five (5) – and the aircraft operated is limited to six seats and may not be certified for more than 6,000 lbs. Pilots are also altitude restricted to 18,000 feet MSL (no Class A operations) and a speed limit of 250 knots.
Third-class medical reform does not affect those already flying sport aircraft with a valid driver’s license in lieu of a third-class medical. You may continue flying light-sport aircraft.
Pilots need to visit a physician at least every four years
As part of the new guidance, pilots flying under BasicMed need to visit their primary care physician (or any state-licensed physician) at least once every four years and provide an FAA checklist of issues to be discussed during the visit. Both the pilot and physician need to sign the checklist stating that the items have been completed. A record of the required visit should be noted in the pilot’s logbook and pilots should save their checklist. There is no additional need to report or file anything directly with FAA.
The required checklist is provided in two parts. There are questions to be answered by the pilot in advance of the exam and a list of items for the physician to include as part of the exam which are typical of items found in any routine physical. The questions include a short medical history and list of current medications and, as one might expect, information about whether the pilot has had a medical denied, suspended or revoked.
Pilots are required to complete an online training course in aeromedical factors every two years. The course is available free from AOPA or Mayo Clinic. A copy of the course completion certificate should be saved and a notation of the training made in the pilot’s logbook.
Perhaps the greatest financial and regulatory relief of the reform movement comes to those with special issuance medicals. Special issuance medicals are an option for pilots with certain medical conditions that are specifically disqualifying. Once FAA reviews the history and circumstances, the pilot may be cleared to fly under the special issuance authorization.
If you currently hold a special issuance third-class medical, or have held one after July 14, 2006, and do not suffer one of the specific cardiac, neurological, or mental health conditions identified as exceptions, you will never again be required to go through the special issuance process.
An important note is that third-class medical reform does not alleviate the need for pilots to continually self-certify when it comes to being fit for flight. This includes consideration for any medications that may affect physical or cognitive abilities. While it would make sense that a primary care physician would be in a better position to assess one’s overall health than the snapshot that takes place during the traditional AME exam, the process also depends on an honest and free exchange with your doctor.
BasicMed Summary – what you need to fly
Hold a U.S. driver’s license.
Hold or have held a medical certificate issued by the FAA at any point after July 14, 2006.
Answer the health questions on the Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist (CMEC) and complete your examination by any physician – required every 4 years.
Take the online medical education course (required every 2 years) and complete the attestations/consent to the National Driver Register (NDR) check. Keep the course completion document.
Go fly!
Operational Restrictions under BasicMed:
No more than five passengers
Operate within the United States, at less than 18,000 feet MSL, not exceeding 250 knots.
Seven habits of highly effective pilots
/in Tips and technique/by studentpltnewsLast week a customer of our flight school earned his Private Pilot Certificate with 44 hours of aeronautical experience. Our average is about 55 and some take more than 70 which is closer to the national average. I began to ponder how we could have this range of total experience with the same instructors using the same curriculum in the same aircraft.
Be Proactive
Covey would warn us not to settle into a reactive mode, waiting for problems to occur before taking action. Could anything be more applicable to flying an airplane? Flight planning, keeping potential landing areas in sight, and devising alternative plans are something pilots do on a routine basis. Being proactive also means taking an active role in flight training. Does your instructor use a training course outline? Do you see it? Do you take the opportunity to preview your next lesson, “chair fly” the maneuvers, and study the appropriate material? If so, you are being proactive – our first habit.
Begin with the End in Mind
Envision your success
This habit is about goal setting and envisioning what you want in the future so you can plan and work towards that goal. It’s easy to get bogged down in the regulations, maneuvers, radio phraseology, intricacies of airspace, etc. and forget why you wanted to learn to fly in the first place. Are you looking to make flying your career? Then picture yourself in the left seat of an airliner with a hand full of throttles. Buy yourself a captain’s hat and hang it up as a reminder of your goal. Do you want to fly for your personal business or pleasure? Plan that first big trip, whether it is to the beach, mountains or grandma’s house. Plot it on a sectional chart and put it where it’s accessible when you need some encouragement. And then smile at the prospect and get back to work.
Put First Things First
Covey writes that leaders are able to perform a triage of tasks to see that the most important and urgent things are completed first and the less important put off to last. Pilots perform these calculations on a continual basis from pre-flight planning to post-flight cocktail. Operating within the limits of your abilities, the airplane’s abilities, and the range of the fuel tanks are always paramount. During flight training a well thought out course of study will lead to the quickest and most economical route to your certificate. That is why we practice ground reference maneuvers before traffic patterns, stalls before landings, and learn about charts, weather and airspace before cross country flights.
Putting first things first is why aircraft have checklists and why those memory items are first.
Think Win – Win
Winning involves being a good aviation citizen
Whereas the book emphasizes a win for all involved will make for a better problem resolution than if only one side gets their way, I look at win-win from the practical way we, as pilots, need to think about sharing airports, airplanes and airspace. Sure we can always assert ourselves and see that we are the first to our “favorite” airplane, keys and fuel. We can probably stick our gum wrapper in the seat pocket and no one will notice until you are well away from the aircraft. We can force our way onto the taxiway and runway and be the first in the air.
Returning for landing, we can enter the pattern a little farther downwind or on base to cut off that other airplane. If that makes you feel like a winner, consider taking up skydiving, where sometimes, the first one to the ground is the big loser. Largely the pilot population views itself as an exclusive club where a perfectly executed crosswind landing is the secret handshake and we all have learned to get along.
Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
Covey touts the power of empathetic listening to fully consider both (or all) sides of a proposition in order to understand the best way to promote your way of thinking. In flight training, I have found our most successful students study their assignments before coming to the lesson. The simple task minimizes the time in “ground school” and maximizes learning while in the air.
The aircraft cockpit is a lousy classroom for learning anything but the physical skills needed to fly the airplane. It is noisy, often a little cramped, and where keeping the aircraft upright and on course can take our full attention. Trying to learn anything else can lead to a cognitive overload with its tunnel vision that may keep the student from learning anything.
Synergize
Your instructor is part of your team
The ability to synergize means to accomplish a goal by forming and working as a team. Your team is your flight instructor, yourself, and hopefully a mentor. A pilot mentor who has been through the process will be able to help you see the big picture and keep you on track. FAR Part 61 (the regulations governing pilot certification) requires a minimum amount of instruction from an “authorized instructor.” An FAA Certified Flight Instructor has that authorization so he or she is a federally mandated part of your team.
That leaves you. For the team to be productive you must come to your flight lessons prepared both mentally and physically to get the most from the time and money you are about to spend.
Sharpen the Saw
In late winter one of the chores on the farm is cleaning out the fence rows of the new tree saplings that germinated and grew last year. Working with small trees and brush growing close to the fence, the chainsaw will either make contact with the dirt or the fence dulling the cutters. In order to be productive, it will be important to sharpen the saw daily or maybe more often. Mr. Covey explains the “Upward Spiral” model where sharpening the saw with meaningful and consistent progress resulting in growth, change and constant improvement.
As pilots, we sharpen our saws by staying current. In a legal way, this is accomplished with the required landings, approaches, etc. Now we must also stay current with technology as GPS Com-Navigators replace the old Nav-Coms and our charts move from paper to tablets.
Again taking reference from the farm, if a plant is not growing it is probably dying. As pilots, we want to continue our growth which will lead to continuous improvement.
Your instructor may teach you about the need of staying ahead of the airplane and warn of the often dire consequences for those who fall behind. Learning the 7 habits and applying them to your flight training will go a long way of getting you ahead, keeping you ahead, and making you that highly effective pilot.
Video: learning to hover a helicopter
/in Fun Flying Videos/by studentpltnewsAre helicopters impossible to fly? Not really, but they do take practice. In this week’s fun flying video, you’ll ride along as a brand new pilot learns how to hover both a Robinson R22 and R44 helicopter. From the embarrassing first flight to the physics behind hovering, you’ll get an inside look at what rotary wing flight is all about.
To learn more about helicopters, check out our So You Want To Fly Helicopters course.
Video: flying to Catalina Island in a biplane
/in Fun Flying Videos/by studentpltnewsThe “airport in the sky” is just 26 miles off the coast of Southern California, an easy trip in almost any airplane and yet seemingly a world away from everyday life. Landing at the 3000-foot long runway on top of a mountain requires some preparation and airspeed control, but the view is unforgettable. In this week’s video, fly along with experienced pilot Marc Lee as he explains what it takes to fly to AVX, then flies the trip in his stunning Great Lakes biplane.
Save money with these 5 simple flight training steps
/in Get Started, Tips and technique/by studentpltnewsHave a plan for success.
Learning to fly is not getting cheaper, but there’s no substitute for the magic of flight. It’s a significant investment, but one with amazing benefits and rewards. Just as any savvy consumer would do, you should be confident you are receiving good value for the product or service you are receiving including flight training. To go a step further, there are key steps you can take to maximize that value while having more fun along the way.
Choosing the right school is the first step to maximizing value. Seeking a personal referral, consulting online reviews, speaking to other customers, and utilizing the benchmarks of any good organization you choose to interact with is always a good place to begin.
Lowest cost doesn’t mean the best value in training. The expression “you get what you pay for” comes to mind after speaking with clients from other schools over the years and there are, unfortunately, plenty of strategies for masking the true costs of flight training. In the end, a sound financial plan is key so an honest expectation of total cost is critical to your success.
Once you’ve committed to a professional flight training organization and a quality flight instructor, your total cost is most likely a function of hourly pricing – composed of the aircraft and instructor. Since learning to fly is a different experience for each person, and likely no two pilots will achieve certification in the same amount of training time, how you prepare for training will matter most when it comes to saving time and money. Here are some recommendations to help.
Follow a syllabus and prepare for each lesson.
Prepare for each lesson – Coming to each flight or ground lesson prepared and ready to learn will save you the most money of all the strategies I will discuss. Having assignments and personal review completed prior to beginning a new task or topic will allow you to complete the task in less time. It will also give you better perspective venturing into the unknown.
Reviewing a procedure manual or checklist will pay dividends as it is sure to save time in the airplane. Spending time on the ground by yourself, or with your instructor, to review these flight critical items allows you to not waste time in the air discussing them with the engine running. It’s well known that the airplane itself makes for a terrible classroom.
Know what’s next – Working from a syllabus is imperative to maintaining focus and an awareness of how the various training components fit together. You can’t come prepared to a lesson if you don’t know what to study in advance. Keeping your training records up to date is another commonly missed detail for those who are working from a syllabus. Make sure that you also have a copy of your records if your school keeps a copy for their purposes so that you are aware of your own progress and areas of strength and weakness. Own your experience.
Make use of a home study course.
Use a home study course – Having a specific program that helps you study and prepare for both your written exam and checkride is a great way to save significant time and money during your training. These courses allow you to see (rather than read) what many of the maneuvers and knowledge areas are about. You can view and review material at your own pace and in the comfort of your home, office or while you’re on the go.
Train consistently – Ask any instructor, flight school, or other pilot on the topic and you’ll receive a similar response: frequency and continuity of training = time/money savings.
Too much time between lessons allows skills to degrade and your aviation knowledge base to weaken. In order to regain the ground you’ve lost, you’ll need to re-learn some material which equates to more time and money.
We recommend at least 2-3 days per week to commit to your aviation learning. Although you will spend money at a faster pace, your total investment will be less and your overall experience more enjoyable. If you’re unable to train at this frequency, try “chair flying” at home to review your last flight before you go back for your next lesson – mentally replaying the training session in your mind.
Communicate concerns early!
Communicate issues early – If you feel that your training is not going the way you expected, or you are having a difficulty with a specific area, address these concerns early! Don’t allow problem areas to fester into feelings of hopeless or frustration. You’re not the first or the only one feeling this way.
Discussing concerns early and often will allow you to get around obstacles more quickly. Instructors have techniques and experience for getting through road blocks, but they aren’t mind-readers. While common issues may be apparent to your instructor, communication is the only way to make sure you are both on the same page. Remember, own your experience.
Let’s get it done! Your training won’t always go as planned. You’ll have good days and bad. You’ll have ups and downs and triumphs and challenges. This is normal and every pilot experiences it. Among all the strategies discussed, it’s important to stay energized and focused on your goals. Make adjustments when necessary and remember why you’re here – this is aviation, it’s FUN!
Video: taking a glider lesson
/in Fun Flying Videos/by studentpltnewsMany pilots consider soaring to be the purest form of flying, a delicate balance between airspeed and altitude that requires a deep understanding of aerodynamics. It’s also an awful lot of fun, as this video shows. Ride along on an intro flight in a glider to see what an aero tow looks like, how glider pilots find lift, and just how peaceful a glider cockpit can be.
Video from Friendly Skies Film
Pilots Guide to BasicMed
/in Get Started, Regulations/by studentpltnewsThird-class medical reform may eliminate the need to visit an AME.
If you’ve held a valid medical certificate at any point after July 14, 2006, you may never have to see an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) again under the BasicMed rule.
And for those just getting started, you may be able to complete just one AME medical exam at the beginning of your flying and then use the simplified basic med process as long as your flying can be accomplished with third class privileges.
3rd class medical reform includes recreational or personal flying
Third class medical flying can be thought of as recreational or personal flying – generally flight training and all types of flying short of commercial operations including day and night VFR operations and even IFR flying. When flying under basic med, there is a maximum number of passengers that may be carried – five (5) – and the aircraft operated is limited to six seats and may not be certified for more than 6,000 lbs. Pilots are also altitude restricted to 18,000 feet MSL (no Class A operations) and a speed limit of 250 knots.
Third-class medical reform does not affect those already flying sport aircraft with a valid driver’s license in lieu of a third-class medical. You may continue flying light-sport aircraft.
Pilots need to visit a physician at least every four years
As part of the new guidance, pilots flying under BasicMed need to visit their primary care physician (or any state-licensed physician) at least once every four years and provide an FAA checklist of issues to be discussed during the visit. Both the pilot and physician need to sign the checklist stating that the items have been completed. A record of the required visit should be noted in the pilot’s logbook and pilots should save their checklist. There is no additional need to report or file anything directly with FAA.
The required checklist is provided in two parts. There are questions to be answered by the pilot in advance of the exam and a list of items for the physician to include as part of the exam which are typical of items found in any routine physical. The questions include a short medical history and list of current medications and, as one might expect, information about whether the pilot has had a medical denied, suspended or revoked.
Pilots are required to complete an online training course in aeromedical factors every two years. The course is available free from AOPA or Mayo Clinic. A copy of the course completion certificate should be saved and a notation of the training made in the pilot’s logbook.
Perhaps the greatest financial and regulatory relief of the reform movement comes to those with special issuance medicals. Special issuance medicals are an option for pilots with certain medical conditions that are specifically disqualifying. Once FAA reviews the history and circumstances, the pilot may be cleared to fly under the special issuance authorization.
If you currently hold a special issuance third-class medical, or have held one after July 14, 2006, and do not suffer one of the specific cardiac, neurological, or mental health conditions identified as exceptions, you will never again be required to go through the special issuance process.
An important note is that third-class medical reform does not alleviate the need for pilots to continually self-certify when it comes to being fit for flight. This includes consideration for any medications that may affect physical or cognitive abilities. While it would make sense that a primary care physician would be in a better position to assess one’s overall health than the snapshot that takes place during the traditional AME exam, the process also depends on an honest and free exchange with your doctor.
BasicMed Summary – what you need to fly
Operational Restrictions under BasicMed:
Resources: