Frequently Asked Questions

BasicMed was adopted into medical certification standard for private pilots written into a new Part 68 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. The FAA in January 2017 adopted the rules after a long, and at times contentious, fight with aviation groups that had for years pressed for third-class medical reform.

BasicMed was able to be used for medical certification standards after May 1, 2017.

You can conduct any operation that you would otherwise be able to conduct using your pilot certificate and a third-class medical certificate, except you are limited to:

1. Fly with no more than five passengers.
2. Fly an aircraft under 6,000 lbs maximum certificated takeoff weight.
3. Fly an aircraft that is authorized to carry no more than 6 occupants.
4. Flights within the United States, at an indicated airspeed of 250 knots or less, and at an altitude at or below 18,000 feet mean sea level (MSL).
5. You may not fly for compensation or hire.

1. Be sure you have a CMEC that shows that your most recent physical examination was within the past 48 months.
2. Be sure you are being treated by a physician for medical conditions that can affect the safety of flight.
3. Be sure you have a course completion certificate that was issued by an approved medical training course provider within the past 24 calendar months.

If you’re a new student pilot, you must get at least a third-class medical certificate from an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). One of the requirements for BasicMed is that you have held a medical certificate in the recent past.