AOPA, COPA leaders urge Canada to accept BasicMed

More than 90,000 pilots have qualified to safely fly under BasicMed privileges in the United States since the program’s inception in 2017. The FAA studied and reported that BasicMed is statistically as safe as a third class medical certificate. The program was developed to streamline the medical process and reduce red tape, which benefits pilots and the FAA alike.

Canada has been working on a new Category 4 medical standard that aligns more closely with BasicMed principles, and upon its completion will create an opportunity to establish a bilateral agreement that would permit Canadian pilots operating under its future Category 4 medical to fly into the United States.

While the COVID-19 pandemic prevented Transport Canada from moving forward on earlier requests to accept BasicMed pilots, the data reveal the program is evidently creating the intended benefits without compromising safety.

“The FAA BasicMed medical category has clearly demonstrated that aviation medical standards can be safely reformed and simplified. COPA supports similar reform to the Canadian Category 4 medical standard and encourages recognition of the U.S. BasicMed standard in Canada,” said COPA CEO Marcia Kim.

“BasicMed has been such a huge success here in the U.S. It’s proven to be safe and we hope Transport Canada will accommodate our request. It just makes too much sense,” said AOPA President Darren Pleasance. “Last year, at AOPA’s request, Congress expanded the BasicMed program to include more aircraft. It would be helpful for both countries to get this done for economic and recreational benefits.”