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Pilot’s Guide to BasicMed

May 13, 2024/in Getting Started, Regulations, Tips and technique/by Eric Radtke

BasicMed is an alternate way for pilots to fly without holding an FAA medical certificate as long as they meet certain requirements. To fly under BasicMed, pilots must print off a FAA Form 8700-2; BasicMed Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist (CMEC) and get your physical exam with a state-licensed physician.

My first solo flight

May 12, 2024/in Personal stories/by Russell Hartley

Well, here goes nothing. Full throttle, airspeed is alive, rotation at 55 knots and climb out at 74 knots. I turn crosswind, then downwind, and base. My turn to final is a little wide so I corrected back onto the extended centerline for runway 22 for a descent, but safe landing. I did it! FIRST SOLO! I could not help but smile and be proud of myself. What a rush! The feeling is incredible.

Pilot’s Guide to BasicMed

May 13, 2024/in Getting Started, Regulations, Tips and technique/by Eric Radtke

My first solo flight

May 12, 2024/in Personal stories/by Russell Hartley

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Pilot’s Guide to BasicMed

May 13, 2024/in Getting Started, Regulations, Tips and technique/by Eric Radtke

What is BasicMed?

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. BasicMed is an alternate way for pilots to fly without holding an FAA medical certificate as long as they meet certain requirements. To fly under BasicMed, pilots must print off a FAA Form 8700-2; BasicMed Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist (CMEC) and get your physical exam with a state-licensed physician. Then complete an online medical course and you’re ready to fly!

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 regulations are provied in 14 CFR Part 68.

BasicMed flying can be thought of as recreational or personal flying – generally flight training and all types of flying short of commercial operations.

What type of flying can be accomplished under BasicMed?

The type of flying that is covered under BasicMed is that 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.

How often do I have to visit a physician under BasicMed?

BasicMed rules require that pilots visit their primary care physician (or any state-licensed physician) at least once every four years and provide the CMEC which includes topics 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 documented in the pilot’s logbook and pilots should save their checklist. It’s also a good idea to maintain a copy of your expired medical as evidence that you held a valid medical after July 14, 2006 when the legislation was passed. There is no additional need to report or file anything directly with FAA.

What type of training do I have to complete to fly under BasicMed?

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.

Pilots visit their primary care physician (or any state-licensed physician) at least once every four years and provide the CMEC.

What about special issuance medicals?

Perhaps the greatest financial and regulatory relief of BasicMed 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.

What conditions require a special issuance before operating under BasicMed?

A mental health disorder, limited to an established medical history or clinical diagnosis of—
- A personality disorder that is severe enough to have repeatedly manifested itself by overt acts;
- A psychosis, defined as a case in which an individual —
  - Has manifested delusions, hallucinations, grossly bizarre or disorganized behavior, or other commonly accepted symptoms of psychosis; or
  - May reasonably be expected to manifest delusions, hallucinations, grossly bizarre or disorganized behavior, or other commonly accepted symptoms of psychosis;
- A bipolar disorder; or
- A substance dependence within the previous 2 years, as defined in §67.307(a)(4) of 14 Code of Federal Regulations
A neurological disorder, limited to an established medical history or clinical diagnosis of any of the following:
- Epilepsy;
- Disturbance of consciousness without satisfactory medical explanation of the cause; or
- A transient loss of control of nervous system functions without satisfactory medical explanation of the cause.
A cardiovascular condition, limited to a one-time special issuance for each diagnosis of the following:
- Myocardial infarction;
- Coronary heart disease that has required treatment;
- Cardiac valve replacement; or
- Heart replacement.

BasicMed Summary – what documentation do 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!

BasicMed Summary – operationsl restrictions

No more than five passengers
Operate within the United States, at less than 18,000 feet MSL, not exceeding 250 knots.
Can’t operate for compensation or hire
Accepted in the Bahamas, Dominican Republic, and Mexico

Additional Resources:

My first solo flight

May 12, 2024/in Personal stories/by Russell Hartley

Am I ready? Yes. Am I scared? Yes. Am I nervous? Yes. Did I know all my co-workers were watching me? Yes.

I am talking about the day of my first solo flight, March 28, 2024. It was a beautiful day for flying and my instructor and I had been training for months now to sharpen my skills to one day be a Private pilot. But my first mission was to solo the airplane. We had battled the unpredictable Ohio weather, stage checks, and business travel to finally get to this point. Leading up to this lesson, I knew that this day would be the day. We had carefully planned and practiced up to the anticipated first solo day, so I knew we would be going up together for a few practice laps in the pattern and then he would kick me out to be on my own.

FIRST SOLO! I could not help but smile and be proud of myself.

My lesson was scheduled for 8am. I was ready and determined to knock this out of the park. Everything was in order: I had my Flight Gear iPad Bag stocked up with my David Clark headset, logbook, student pilot’s license, driver’s license, medical certificate, and my first solo endorsement. It was clear I was ready. Besides that, my instructor said I was ready and I trusted him implicitly. I arrived at the airport (I69) ready to get this over with before the work day started at Sporty’s when I got the text from my instructor, “Our plane has frost. Hoping it clears off.” This can’t be happening. I am ready and I am supposed to do this today when nobody is here so nobody can make a big deal out of the event.

An hour and a half later, during the middle of the work day, it was go time. I jumped up from my desk and walked out to my airplane, the Cessna 172S Skyhawk. I knocked out a few practice laps with my instructor as I imagined, and then it was time to get the GoPros and audio cables connected to capture this defining moment. Okay, now we are ready…almost.

It’s time to start the airplane which I have done dozens of times by now, but every start up until this point had been a cold start. Well, now it was hot after my instructor and I took a few practice laps. The airplane just kept turning over and never would catch. “Great,” I thought to myself, “everyone at Sporty’s is inside eating this up.” Finally, with a little advice from my instructor, I got the airplane to turn over and it was ready to go.

“Clermont County Traffic, Skyhawk 2135 Sierra is departing runway 22, Clermont.” Well, here goes nothing. Full throttle, airspeed is alive, rotation at 55 knots and climb out at 74 knots. I turn crosswind, then downwind, and base. My turn to final is a little wide so I corrected back onto the extended centerline for runway 22 for a descent, but safe landing. I did it! FIRST SOLO! I could not help but smile and be proud of myself. What a rush! The feeling is incredible.

After another lap in the pattern, it was time to celebrate. Working at Sporty’s, I know what that entails. We have all of our office employees come out to our atrium to celebrate with the student pilot for a round of applause and to shake hands with the newest member of the solo club. Something that happened to be one of the best, and most exhilarating experiences of my life, was actually something I was dreading (I did not want the attention). These people who came to celebrate, whom I know, recognize, work beside, and consider friends, have all come out to celebrate me and to show me recognition of my dedication and commitment to flight training. They made me feel like an all-star and a million bucks.

My custom shirttail to commemorate my first solo.

The celebration was not over. Unbeknownst to me there was a little ceremony after the great recognition. Our flight school executive team presented me with multiple tokens of accomplishment and a little history lesson. I was given a challenge coin to mark the occasion, first solo t-shirt, and certificate for my first solo flight. Also, my flight instructor performed the ceremonial shirttail cutting, which I was informed was to pay homage to early aviation before there were intercoms, when the only way for the instructor to communicate with the student was to pull on the student’s shirttail. So, being the student in this case, I demonstrated to my CFI that I was able to operate an aircraft solo, and I no longer “needed” my shirttail.

After my shirttail was cut off, my instructor decorated it and we have since hung it up in our flight school for all of the customers and fellow pilots to see. After that, it will get professionally framed for me to keep, and to pay me a reminder of that very special spring day.

My advice for all student pilots who are just starting, or who are going to solo soon: embrace it. Have fun, be prepared, and do not stress—your CFI would not have issued you an endorsement if they thought you could not do it. Lastly, celebrate! Invite your friends, family, and co-workers. They will all be excited to make a trip out to the airport to share your big day. It is a huge accomplishment that most people never get to experience. Take pictures! Record it! Simply put, make it a big deal because it is a big deal!

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Pilot’s Guide to BasicMed

My first solo flight

Pilot’s Guide to BasicMed

My first solo flight

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Pilot’s Guide to BasicMed

What is BasicMed?

What type of flying can be accomplished under BasicMed?

How often do I have to visit a physician under BasicMed?

What type of training do I have to complete to fly under BasicMed?

What about special issuance medicals?

What conditions require a special issuance before operating under BasicMed?

BasicMed Summary – what documentation do you need to fly

BasicMed Summary – operationsl restrictions

Additional Resources:

My first solo flight

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