FAA Rule Reforms Third-class Pilot Medical Requirement

Marking a key victory for general aviation advocates in the U.S., the FAA issued a final rule on January 10 that allows certain general aviation pilots to fly without a current third-class medical certificate, effective May 1. The rule codifies a mandate that Congress passed in July as part of the FAA Extension, Safety and Security Act of 2016, but crowns a long industry campaign both at the FAA and on Capitol Hill.

The rule, which the FAA has dubbed “BasicMed,” applies to pilots who have a valid driver's license and have held a valid third-class medical certificate within the past 10 years. Accounting for the validity period of a third-class medical, this would apply to pilots 40 or older who have had their examination since July 15, 2004, and to pilots younger than 40 who have had their examination since July 15, 2003.

To qualify, pilots must abide by certain operational limitations: the aircraft they fly can weigh no more than 6,000 pounds, carry no more than five passengers and cannot be operated for compensation or hire. BasicMed pilots can operate under VFR or IFR, but must remain within the U.S. below 18,000 feet msl and must not exceed 250 knots. The rule also requires that pilots undergo a medical examination by a state-licensed physician every four years, and the examination must conform with an FAA-set checklist. The pilots also have to take free online educational courses.

FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said BasicMed gives pilots a choice. They can choose BasicMed and comply with the restrictions or they can opt for the traditional route of obtaining a third-class medical without the restrictions.

“The BasicMed rule will keep our pilots safe but will simplify our regulations and keep general aviation flying affordable,” Huerta said, adding that the rule is “a win for the general aviation community, and I’m happy that our FAA team has gotten it across the finish line.”

The rule was issued without prior notice or a comment period—in fact, the FAA is not offering a comment period at all—because it is a simple implementation of the congressional directive, Huerta said. “This final rule implements, without interpretation, the requirements [of the congressional directive],” the rule said.

“The updated FAA third-class medical rule closely follows Congressional intent, with the comprehensive medical examination written exactly as we laid out in the law,” agreed Rep. Todd Rokita (R-Ind.). “We have fought for years against these burdensome regulations, and I am pleased to see a third-class medical reform rule that does away with unnecessary government red tape to keep the skies safe and accessible for all aviators.”

“I think it’s going to do wonders for aviation,” added Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.), who leads the House General Aviation Caucus. Noting the May 1 implementation date, he said, “That’s the one question I get when I am out talking to aviation groups.” Graves, who said the rule will have a wide impact, added, “there were a lot of moving parts to getting that done.”

The agency will collaborate with various organizations to develop the online medical course that pilots must take and will work with stakeholders to explain the BasicMed option, Huerta said, citing the strong track record of collaboration between the agency and the industry. General aviation groups have pushed for the pilot medical rule change for years, calling it a necessary step to help bolster the pilot population.

“BasicMed is the best thing to happen to general aviation in decades,” said AOPA president and CEO Mark Baker. “By putting medical decisions in the hands of pilots and their doctors, instead of the FAA, these reforms will improve safety while reducing burdensome and ineffective bureaucracy that has thwarted participation in general aviation.”

AOPA is launching a series of “Fit to Fly” resources to help pilots take advantage of BasicMed, and plans to offer a free online medical course that will comply with the requirements of the new rule.