Blog Elements : Flight Training Central

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Pilot Workshops VFR Communication Scenario: Request taxi to a runway at a towered (Class D) airport

May 14, 2024/in Tips and technique/by Flight Training Central Staff

To taxi from the ramp to the runway at a towered airport, (across the “movement area”), you need to receive a taxi clearance from the Ground controller. First, listen to the current ATIS broadcast (weather). Then call Ground with your request, mentioning the phonetic alphabet code of the ATIS you heard.

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.

Pilot Workshops VFR Communication Scenario: Request taxi to a runway at a towered (Class D) airport

May 14, 2024/in Tips and technique/by Flight Training Central Staff

Pilot’s Guide to BasicMed

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

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Pilot Workshops VFR Communication Scenario: Request taxi to a runway at a towered (Class D) airport

May 14, 2024/in Tips and technique/by Flight Training Central Staff

Editor’s Note: The following scenario is from the VFR Communications Manual from Pilot Workshops.

[Airport name] Ground, [Full call sign], [Location on the airport] with Information [Current ATIS letter] VFR [Destination or direction of flight]. [Special requests].

Be sure to state both your location on the airport and your destination or direction of flight. This makes it easy for the controller to quickly plan how to get you from your current location to the active runway that’s most aligned with where you’re going. If you don’t know what locals call the area where you’re parked, give the best (short) description you can.

Add any special requests to the end of your transmission. Examples include requesting a different runway than most aircraft are using, or requesting an intersection departure because you don’t need the whole runway (see ).

The simplest response from Ground will be instructions to taxi to your departure runway via taxiways, without crossing any runways, taxiing on any runways, or having to hold anywhere along the way.

Watch out for runway hotspots

hotspots Certain airport designs just lead to trouble, and by “trouble” we mean runway incursions, which is FAA speak for taxiing onto a runway without permission. Taxiways that cross narrow runways or runways that meet at odd angles are common culprits. Runways with land-and-hold-short operations (LAHSO) can also cause problems.

In an effort to curb these runway incursions, the FAA collects reports of pilots crossing into places where they weren’t cleared and look for fixes. That might be better signage, repainting of hold-short markings, or changes in airport procedures.

They also label problem areas as “hot spots” on airport diagrams. These are marked in brown on runway charts with “HS” with a number. Note where these hot spots are in relation to your taxi route. If other pilots missed the memo on where to stop, so might you.

How to address a Controller

Radio calls at non-towered airports fall into one of two categories: Either you’re speaking on CTAF, “[Airport name] traffic …” or you’re speaking to UNICOM, “[Airport name] Unicom …”

With controllers, there are more options. The key to addressing a controller is to use the name of the job he or she is performing at that moment.

Tower. The tower controller controls operations inside the airport’s Class D airspace. That’s ideally a cylinder around the airport with a 4 NM radius and extending to 2500 feet AGL, however, local variations are probably more the rule than the exception. Tower also controls all runway operations, and might control some taxiway sections. The person speaking is usually in a control tower with a view of the airport. That controller answers to “[Airport name] Tower.

Ground. The ground controller owns most or all of the taxiways and other movement areas that aren’t runways. Ground issues taxi instructions, including any airport personnel in trucks you see driving around the movement area. At most Class D airports, the ground controller also delivers IFR clearances to IFR departures. The actual person is usually in the control tower, sipping coffee next to the tower controller. The ground controller answers to “[Airport name] Ground.”

At quiet airports, Tower and Ground are often the same person. Don’t let that bother you. When you’re talking to someone in their role as Ground, address them as Ground. When you’re talking to them in their role as Tower, call them Tower. Usually, these two roles are being conducted on separate frequencies, so it’s pretty easy. Just don’t be surprised if you hear the same voice in both roles. – Some other roles include Clearance, Approach, Departure, and Center.

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 – operational 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

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Pilot Workshops VFR Communication Scenario: Request taxi to a runway at a towered (Class D) airport

Pilot’s Guide to BasicMed

Pilot Workshops VFR Communication Scenario: Request taxi to a runway at a towered (Class D) airport

Pilot’s Guide to BasicMed

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Pilot Workshops VFR Communication Scenario: Request taxi to a runway at a towered (Class D) airport

Watch out for runway hotspots

How to address a Controller

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 – operational restrictions

Additional Resources:

Email Subscription

Recent Articles