President's Position: Are you ‘Fit to Fly’ under BasicMed?

We know our members are relying on us as the new rule rolls out. That’s why we launched our Fit to Fly resources to help pilots make the most of BasicMed (see “Medical Reform is a Reality,” page 30). Fit to Fly will help ensure both pilots and physicians understand the new regulations. You can find the resources online (www.aopa.org/FittoFly).

The process of getting Fit to Fly begins with figuring out if you qualify, and we have an interactive tool to walk you through that. If you held a valid medical, special issuance or regular, on or after July 15, 2006; your most recent medical was not revoked, suspended, or withdrawn; your most recent application for a medical was not completed and denied; you have a valid driver’s license; and you have not developed certain cardiac, neurological, or mental health conditions designated by the FAA since your last valid third class medical, you probably qualify.

Many pilots will immediately qualify for BasicMed and for those who will need to take some additional steps, the process to get back flying is now much easier. And if you have one of the medical conditions specified by the FAA in the BasicMed rule, you will need to obtain only one special issuance medical for that condition, and then you may subsequently fly under the BasicMed rules.

These reforms will improve safety while reducing burdensome and ineffective bureaucracy. BasicMed allows pilots to fly a variety of general aviation aircraft—those authorized to carry up to six occupants and having a maximum certificated takeoff weight up to 6,000 pounds. Pilots will also be permitted to fly day or night, VFR or IFR, with up to five passengers, up to 18,000 feet and 250 knots indicated airspeed. Flights must be within the United States unless authorized by the country in which the flight is conducted, and cannot be for compensation or hire.

To start flying under BasicMed, all you’ll need to do is complete the physical exam and FAA checklist every four years and the online aeromedical course—that AOPA will provide free as part of Fit to Fly—every two years.

All this information and more is available in our Fit to Fly resources, and we will continue to post updates as we approach May 1. Watch for the launch of the free AOPA online aeromedical education course, videos to help pilots understand BasicMed, and additional information for physicians.

Once pilots are set with BasicMed, it’ll be time for some to get current; AOPA’s Rusty Pilots program is tested, ready, and free for AOPA members.

Rusty Pilots has already put 3,500 fliers back in the air and 45 percent of the noncurrent pilots who attended one of our three-hour courses in 2016 went on to complete their flight review. We have already conducted more than 300 Rusty Pilots seminars across the country, and we’ll be working toward doubling the number we host following the start of BasicMed on May 1.

If you’re looking for an airplane to fly, AOPA has more than 740 clubs in our Flying Club Finder, with more being added regularly.

If you’ve reviewed our Fit to Fly resources and still have questions, aviation and medical experts are standing by. Contact the AOPA Pilot Information Center at 800-USA-AOPA (872-2672) Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time, or email [email protected].

BasicMed is the best thing to happen to general aviation in decades. 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 led the fight for medical reform on behalf of our members but we also want to thank our allies on Capitol Hill who, despite gridlock in Washington, worked hard with us to pass the legislation. Additionally, the FAA deserves credit for releasing a final rule that was both a reflection of the legislation and ahead of deadline.

It has been a lot of work and a long time coming, and AOPA will continue to be there with you as we approach the effective date of May 1.

Email [email protected]