How to get your basic Medical

The first step is to go to the doctor and email him this checklist first.

Then make sure you get the following information from them.

  1. Date of BasicMed-Specific Exam
  2. Examining Doctor's First Name
  3. Examining Doctor's Last Name
  4. Physician State Medical License Number
  5. Address
  6. City
  7. State
  8. Zip Code
  9. Office Phone


You will need this information after you pass the AOPA test to fill out the form to email to the FAA.
 
Last edited:
Here is the FFA's page regarding Basic Medical

BasicMed

www.faa.gov www.faa.gov
 
WaspAir said:
The Mayo Clinic has a BasicMed course, too, for free, which I used instead of the AOPA version:

Click to expand...
Thank you. They are both free. From the FAA website.


BasicMed is an alternate way for pilots to fly without holding an FAA medical certificate as long as they meet certain requirements. Print off a 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!

There are two, free online courses to choose from:

 
Wait! Pardon my ignorance but is the BasicMed an alternative to the biannual/triannual medical from an FAA licensed Flight Surgeon? Thanks.
 
Brent Smith said:
Wait! Pardon my ignorance but is the BasicMed an alternative to the biannual/triannual medical from an FAA licensed Flight Surgeon? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Yaw Mon, for most of our community the short answer is YES! For 6 passengers and 6,000 lb aircraft.
That is why PRA is trying to spread the news!
You can use your doctor.

Here is the long answer:
On July 15, 2016, Congress passed legislation to extend the FAA's funding. This legislation, FAA Extension, Safety, Security Act of 2016 (FESSA) includes relief from holding an FAA medical certificate for certain pilots. This relief is called BasicMed.


When can I fly under BasicMed?​


If you meet the BasicMed requirements, you can operate under BasicMed (without an FAA medical certificate) right now!


What do I need to do to fly under BasicMed?​


  1. Comply with the general BasicMed requirements (possess a U.S. driver's license, have held a medical after July 14, 2006).
  2. Get a physical exam with a state-licensed physician, using the Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist
  3. Complete a BasicMed medical education course;
  4. Go fly!

Aircraft Requirements​


  • Any aircraft authorized under federal law to carry not more than 6 occupants
  • Has a maximum certificated takeoff weight of not more than 6,000 pounds

Operating Requirements​


  • Carries not more than five passengers
  • Operates under VFR or IFR, within the United States, at less than 18,000 feet MSL, not exceeding 250 knots.
  • Flight not operated for compensation or hire

Medical Conditions Requiring One 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.
 
Last edited:
I have not been successful at finding a doctor who will participate in basic med so I am about to get another two year class three medical.

I am seventy two and overweight so I would prefer basic med.

Once a medical has been denied; basic med is not available to me until I find a way to manage the denial.
 
Vance said:
I have not been successful at finding a doctor who will participate in basic med so I am about to get another two year class three medical.

I am seventy two and overweight so I would prefer basic med.

Once a medical has been denied; basic med is not available to me until I find a way to manage the denial.
Click to expand...
Actually one of the test questions was about how you file for and receive an FAA special issuance certificate to remove a denial.
From the course, I learned it is not like the old laws, and a one-time denial Vance. With Basic Med, many have received special issuance certificates even for epilepsy when it can be controlled with the correct medication with Basic Med special issuance certificate.

And only if the condition changes do you have to file for a new special issuance certificate.
 
Last edited:
Thank you, John! I just happen to have a regular annual checkup scheduled with my doctor next month and have bookmarked the link to the Mayo Clinic online course. My previous biannual med with my local Flight Surgeon was only about $100 but that'll buy more than a few gallons of aviation fuel. :)
 
Brent Smith said:
Thank you, John! I just happen to have a regular annual checkup scheduled with my doctor next month and have bookmarked the link to the Mayo Clinic online course. My previous biannual med with my local Flight Surgeon was only about $100 but that'll buy more than a few gallons of aviation fuel. :)
Click to expand...
Yaw Mon,
Step one download this from Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist (CMEC) and fill it out.
Step two email it to your doctor before your appointment and ask if he will participate in the basic med program as your DOCTOR!! Or do you need to find one who will?
Step 3 Attend the doctor's appointment and have him explain when or if you can fly to any yes check marks on the form to you.
Step 4 fill out the doctor's contact information and Lic # on the CMEC from you emailed him.
Step 5 Take and pass the test.
Step 6 Once you pass it will let your print a certificate that you fill in the doctor's info.
Step 7 Email it to the FAA.
 
Last edited:
Vance said:
I have not been successful at finding a doctor who will participate in basic med so I am about to get another two year class three medical.
Click to expand...
Most doctors are not familiar with Basic Med. I explained the program to my "primary-care provider", and she readily agreed to the minimal paperwork it required of her. Most of the items on it are things she would already have been looking at anyway in an ordinary annual physical.

That being said, we have all known doctors who just cannot be bothered doing anything extra, or unfamiliar. They are generally to be avoided in any case.

In my neck of the woods (upstate NY) there are actually some doctors advertising on airport bulletin boards that they will do Basic Med physicals.
 
Oh, the other nice thing about Basic Med is (for those of us over forty) you only have to do the doctor visit & sign-off every four years, although after two you will have to do the online self-assessment thing again.
One downside might be (for some folks) that Canada still apparently does not accept Basic Med in lieu of an FAA medical.
 
I have been flying under BasicMed ever since it was placed in effect in 2017 (I think). My primary care doctor is not a pilot
and he had no problem signing the forms. The FAA never even sees your completed paperwork. I rent the FBO's 172's when
my family and I want to fly away somewhere and their insurance underwriter is fine with it. My primary care doctor has to
sign new forms every four years and I have to take the AOPA test every two years. It's butt-simple.

I got a Special Issuance in 1990 after a suicide attempt after my wife left. By 1996, the FAA shrink in OK City had incrementally upgraded
me to a 1st Class. Since then, my AME was allowed to issue my medical normally without any involvement by OK City. I have always been
100% honest and forthcoming with the Fed's and it has served me well. I have been on and off of Effexor (FAA Prohibited Anti Depressant)
for 25 years and I "self-grounded" during periods when I needed the med. I have continued to "self-ground" on BasicMed if Effexor was
needed.

Now I'm under the care of a VA Psychiatrist and he is supervising me transitioning from Effexor to Fluoxetine (Prozac) which is FAA
permissible. The goal after 6 months on Prozac is to get my 1st Class again and start flying right seat in Lear 35's for a local military contractor.
 
Last edited:
I'm learning from your honest experiences.
This is more than I had hoped to share and LEARN how it is really working for all you have tried.
U-ROCK!!!

Mexico may not recognize the Basic Med either??
So even though I am trying to share the new so much easier medical I may have to get my class 3 anyway. Bummer, the cobblers son goes without shoes!
 
You can fly a motorglider with no medical of any kind (not even a driver's license) if you have a Private certificate with a glider rating (no airplane rating required). It won't do Bonanza speeds, but it will get you there and can be lots of fun.
 
WaspAir said:
You can fly a motorglider with no medical of any kind (not even a driver's license) if you have a Private certificate with a glider rating (no airplane rating required). It won't do Bonanza speeds, but it will get you there and can be lots of fun.
Click to expand...
I've not flown a motorglider. Do they have two-place trainers?
Gliders are so much fun too and they make you a better pilot!
 
Yes. There are plenty of self-launch and or sustainer-engined single seaters, but many of the aircraft that people traditionally call "motorgliders" are two seaters, often side-by- side. I have some time in older Grob 109B and Valentin Taifun 17 aircraft; they look like modern composite airplanes but with extra long wings (17 meters or 56 foot span is common). Always wanted to try a Dimona but never got to:

1280px-Diamond_HK36_Super_Dimona.jpg


They can be practically used as light airplanes in many cases (without needing good soaring conditions) and can get very good fuel economy owing to high L/D design (typically 28:1 glide, 115kts at 4 gph cruise under power).

Here are some "touring" motorgliders for sale:

 
Last edited:
Vance said:
I have not been successful at finding a doctor who will participate in basic med so I am about to get another two year class three medical.

I am seventy two and overweight so I would prefer basic med.

Once a medical has been denied; basic med is not available to me until I find a way to manage the denial.
Click to expand...
Hi Folks

  1. ""Comply with the general BasicMed requirements (possess a U.S. driver's license, have held a medical after July 14, 2006).""
Basic Med is not available to me for the reason I was denied prior to July 14, 2006. Therefore I am in the process of attempting a Special Issuance for purposes of receiving a 2 year Third Class Medical. After that, the sky is the limit.

Wish me luck folks!! I would be just as happy flying an ultralight, but this news about special issuance is too good to pass up.

Curtis Scholl
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

jffili
Mosquito pilot kit
Replies
13
Views
686
jffili
jffili
Vance
Doctor challenges
2 3 4
Replies
66
Views
4K
querist
querist
querist
May I scream yet? or "FAA Medical Division..."
2 3 4
Replies
71
Views
5K
querist
querist
Gyro Technic
Phoenix Aero is now Gyro Technic distributor for UK/EU sales!
Replies
8
Views
617
Abid
Abid
okikuma
FAASTeam Seminars - FAA Wings Program
Replies
14
Views
941
Roundwing
R
Top