Building on BasicMed’s Success

January 11, 2018 - More than 25,000 pilots are now flying under the BasicMed program, which was fully detailed almost exactly one year ago and went into effect on May 1, 2017. The rapid, widespread acceptance of the BasicMed is a clear indication of the program’s success as a way to streamline medical certification for thousands of pilots flying recreationally. As more pilots look to take part in this simplified medical certification process, it is worth revisiting what exactly the program is — and what it is not.

BasicMed is an alternate, optional way to satisfy the third-class medical requirement. To participate, pilots must have at least one medical certificate that was valid on or after July 15, 2006, complete the free online course offered through either AOPA or Mayo Clinic, and have any state-licensed physician sign off on a checklist of aeromedical items. Look for a more detailed review of BasicMed’s first year in the upcoming February issue of EAA Sport Aviation and visit www.EAA.org/BasicMed for more information.