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BasicMed (AC 68-1A)

This advisory circular (AC) describes how pilots can exercise student, recreational, and private pilot privileges in certain small aircraft without holding a current medical certificate. It outlines the required medical education course, medical requirements, and aircraft and operating restrictions that pilots must meet to act as pilot in command (PIC) for most Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 91 operations. This AC is intended to be used as a resource for pilots operating under BasicMed. It is also intended to be a resource for State-licensed physicians who will be providing the required medical examination to those pilots.

Get the most recent version from FAA.gov

Medical certificates: Requirement and duration
Read 14 CFR 61.23 at the National Archives website.

Medical Standards and Certification
Read 14 CFR 67 at the National Archives website.

Requirements for Operating Certain Small Aircraft Without a Medical Certificate
Read 14 CFR 68 at the National Archives website.

The FAA issued new medical regulations that became effective on May 1, 2017. These regulations permitted pilots to operate as PIC of certain aircraft without receiving a medical certificate per the process defined in 14 CFR 67.

§ 61.23: Pilots may operate PIC under BasicMed if they:

  • Comply with all medical requirements or restrictions associated with his or her U.S. driver's license;
  • At any point after July 14, 2006, have held a medical certificate;
  • Complete a medical education course (set forth in § 68.3) in the previous 24 calendar months;
  • Receive a comprehensive medical examination from a State-licensed physician during the previous 48 calendar months;
  • Are under the care and treatment of a State-licensed physician if diagnosed with any medical condition that may impact his/her ability to service as PIC or required crew.

Pilots operating PIC under BasicMed must:

  • Have a valid U.S. driver's license;
  • Have received, at some point, an FAA medical certificate after July 15, 2006;
  • Complete an online medical-education course and retain the course-completion document (every 24 calendar months);
  • Complete the National Driver Register (NDR) check;
  • Answer health questions on the Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist (CMEC);
  • Get a physical examination by a licensed physician (every 48 calendar months);
  • Have the physician complete the CMEC;
  • Retain the signed CMEC document.

Pilots flying under BasicMed must transmit this information to the FAA:

  • The certification of completion of the medical education course;
  • A release authorizing access to the National Driver Register through a state DMV;
  • If the individual has been diagnosed with any medical condition that may impact the ability of the individual to fly, a certification by the individual that the individual is under the care and treatment of a physician;
  • A form with information set forth in § 68.3(b)(4);
  • A signed statement in accordance with § 68.3(b)(5).

Pilots flying under BasicMed must follow a few rules:

  • The certification of completion of the medical education course must be retained in the individual's logbook.
  • Airplane must be under 6,000 lbs. (certificated takeoff weight);
  • Carry no more than five passengers in an aircraft that is designed to carry no more than six persons;
  • Remain within the United States;
  • Remain below 18,000 feet;
  • Remain below 250 kts;
  • Do not fly for compensation or hire.

Flight Instructor Test Questions

Can a pilot holding an FAA Medical Certificate that expired in 1998 fly under BasicMed? No. Any pilot flying under BasicMed must have held a medical certificate at any point after July 14, 2006.

Can a pilot choose to fly under BasicMed after his/her current medical certificate has expired? Yes, provided all BasicMed requirements are met.

How frequently must a pilot flying under BasicMed complete a medical education course? Every 24 calendar months.

How frequently must a pilot flying under BasicMed receive an examination from a state-licensed physician? Every 48 calendar months.

Can a pilot flying under BasicMed operate an aircraft certified for eight seats if two of the seats have been removed? No, the aircraft must be certified with six or fewer seats.

Practical Test Standards: Flight Instructor

III. Preflight Preparation
Task A. Pilot Qualifications

Objective: To determine the applicant understands pilot training and qualification requirements for different levels of pilot certificate including student pilot, sport pilot, recreational pilot, private pilot, commercial pilot, and flight instructor; can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.

Knowledge: The applicant demonstrates instructional knowledge by describing and explaining:

  1. Certification, currency, and recordkeeping requirements, including training and logbook entries.
  2. Privileges and limitations of pilot certificates and ratings at student pilot, sport, recreational, private, commercial, and flight instructor levels.
  3. Medical certificates: class, expiration, privileges, temporary disqualifications, and operations under BasicMed.
  4. Documents pilots must possess to exercise privileges of the specified certificate(s) and rating(s).

Oral Exam Questions

  1. Describe what steps a pilot must take in order to operate as PIC under BasicMed.
  2. Your student tells you that s/he has never received an FAA medical certificate and plans to fly under BasicMed after receiving a private pilot certificate. Is this valid?
  3. Describe the limitations of operating as PIC under BasicMed.
  4. Can a pilot operating under BasicMed file an IFR flight plan and enter IMC?
  5. Can a pilot operating under BasicMed enter Class A airspace?
  6. Can a pilot operating under BasicMed do so in futherence of a business?
  7. Can a pilot operating under BasicMed receive financial compensation for flying?

Robert Wederquist   CP-ASEL - AGI - IGI
Commercial Pilot • Instrument Pilot
Advanced Ground Instructor • Instrument Ground Instructor

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