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3rd Class Medical vs Basic Med

kjowen

Well Known Member
I don't know if this is the right place, but I am going to post to see if anyone has an opinion:
By end of July I am due for my medical.
Physically I have zero issues, (mentally...well that's another issue).
Besides saving $100 and the afternoon to renew for another 2 years, does anyone have an opinion as to whether one should continue with the exam process or go Basic Med?
Is there any benefit in flying under the 2-year medical exam as I have done for years as opposed to self-certifying at this point?
Footnote: Flying under Basic Med will not restrict my type of flying in any manner.
thanks
 
As long as your flying fits within the Basic Med limitations, there is absolutely no advantage to continue with a third class medical.
 
I renewed my medical as I was 100% sure that I would pass. The cost compared to the hassle and cost of getting a primary care doc to sign me off was a toss up in my view.

-Marc
 
I'm not sure whether Canada recognizes BasicMed yet - you might want to check on that if you have any inclination to fly north (or Mexico if you want to fly south).
 
I got BasicMed last year as part of my normal physical. My primary care physician just went through a normal physical and then looked at the form and checked off each item. He had done more than the form requires for my normal physical.

It didn't cost me anything extra and was covered by my insurance.

However, this year I decided to fly down to Mexico. That requires an FAA medical. I went back and got one for this express purpose. If I had not needed an FAA medical for my trip, I would have been happy with BasicMed.

I see absolutely no health or safety benefit in a 3rd class medical. My normal physical was significantly more comprehensive, and working with my PCP who knows me and my health history results in better decisions than going to an AME every couple of years, hoping he won't discover something that will result in a lot of FAA paperwork, even for relatively minor conditions that my PCP can take care of.

I would only get an FAA physical if it was required for a certain type of flying. I think even 2nd class medicals should be replaced by BasicMed. I got one this last time, just to see what it entailed (same price as 3rd class). The only thing that was different were a few extra vision tests that seem superfluous to me. The things they were testing for would not affect my ability to fly. Besides, I already have an eye doctor that checks for much more than their exam.
 
Basic Med

I just did my Basic Med last week. I've been seeing the same Primary Care doctor for the last 8 years, so I have an established relationship with her.

I was her first Basic Med patient. Prior to making the appointment, I contacted her and gave her a copy of Basic Med form and instructions. After she had a chance to review them, she agreed to do the required physical.

The appointment took longer than a typical 3rd class exam done by an AME. I'm not sure if an AME would do a Basic Med exam. If an AME would do one, it would probably be a quick process also.

The other benefit to Basic Med is the the exam is good for 4 years. You have to re-take the online education in 2 years but the exam is valid for 48 months.
 
..... I'm not sure if an AME would do a Basic Med exam. If an AME would do one, it would probably be a quick process also.
....

Check with your usual AME - mine will do it and supported the BasicMed proposal all through its regulatory hurdles... :)
 
Medical

Flying outside the USA needs Third Class. Although I saw an ad yesterday that said Bahama's might soon accept Basic Med. But Canada and Mexico don't. Plus if you go to a self fly Safari in Africa you need Third Class.

Personally, I like keeping the two scenarios separate. One examine for flying requirements. A different doctor for medical things.
 
Personally, I like keeping the two scenarios separate. One examine for flying requirements. A different doctor for medical things.

Historically that has been good advice. However, I fail to see where it is now an issue with BasicMed since the FAA is not in the loop as before.
 
Basic Med Since July

I was flying under an CLIII SI since July 2015 due to CPAP and asthma. I did mid-term/annual extension in July 2016 without issue dealing directly with FAA. When time to renew, I opted to go BasicMed. I didn't even use my family doctore I've been with since 2003, rather opting to use my hangar mate who is an MD and former AME. Given his background as an AME, he was happy to provide BasicMed exams. He charges $50 and does it all from him small office on the airport. It saved me having get extra tests and gathering CPAP reports and then seeing an AME and hoping he wouldn't defer me for somethiing unrelated.

I've been extremely happy with BasicMed since I no longer fly anthing it wouldn't cover.
 
Basic Med

For advanced pilot, not student, an instructor doesn't need a medical of any kind if the PIC is still current with a medical or basic med. My second class medical last August has no restrictions, it reverts to third class next August and probably basic med after that. Don't push the envelope with the FAA if you don't have to. It takes a lot of time and money. :)
 
For advanced pilot, not student, an instructor doesn't need a medical of any kind if the PIC is still current with a medical or basic med.

True, as long as the cfi doesn?t act as the required safety pilot if the pic is under the hood. (Or any other ?required crewmember? operation). But then he needs a class 3, basic med won?t work, as described earlier.
 
So to recap, in general a BasicMed pilot can:

-- Act as Safety pilot as long as they are PIC during the simulated instrument portions of the flight (and meet all the necessary currency requirements to be PIC)
-- Fly to the Bahamas (Bahamas authorized BasicMed back in May 2017)
-- Fly an aircraft up to a certified takeoff weight of 6000lbs and authorized to carry up to 6 occupants (you and 5 pax)

A BasicMed pilot can't:
-- Fly to Canada or Mexico
-- Fly above FL180
-- Fly faster than an IAS of 250KTS
-- Fly for compensation or hire except in limited situations IAW 61.113
 
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I still rent. I was told by one local FBO that their insurance would not cover me if I did not have a valid FAA medical. Since I wanted to rent from them, I had to go renew my medical.
 
So BasicMed is not a valid FAA medical???

If I understand the info correctly, the answer is nope since you don?t have to see an AME and aren?t issued a medical certificate. I know this sounds like quibbling, but I think the FAA wants to make a clear distinction. Having said that, I think FBOs denying rentals to BasicMed holders by saying its an insurance problem is BS since apparently insurance companies have no problem with BasicMed for individual aircraft owner/pilots.
 
If I understand the info correctly, the answer is nope since you don?t have to see an AME and aren?t issued a medical certificate. I know this sounds like quibbling, but I think the FAA wants to make a clear distinction. Having said that, I think FBOs denying rentals to BasicMed holders by saying its an insurance problem is BS since apparently insurance companies have no problem with BasicMed for individual aircraft owner/pilots.

I think it is an approved medical. FAA says you are good to go as long as you meet the Basic Med requirements. That's FAA approval, it seems to me. The fact that the insurance companies are fine with it really seals the deal. I doubt they would insure pilots if it was not an "FAA approved" medical. Perhaps the FBO in question just doesn't know much of anything about Basic Med.
Also, I think the safety pilot who has Basic Med has to be PIC for the entire flight, not just the portion where the other pilot is under the hood. The article referenced earlier from AOPA made that pretty clear.
 
I think it is an approved medical. FAA says you are good to go as long as you meet the Basic Med requirements. That's FAA approval, it seems to me. The fact that the insurance companies are fine with it really seals the deal. I doubt they would insure pilots if it was not an "FAA approved" medical. Perhaps the FBO in question just doesn't know much of anything about Basic Med.
Also, I think the safety pilot who has Basic Med has to be PIC for the entire flight, not just the portion where the other pilot is under the hood. The article referenced earlier from AOPA made that pretty clear.

It’s an approved FAA program but IMO it’s not an FAA medical since there’s no associated certificate. I know this is semantics but that’s kind of what gives us relief from the part 61 medical certificate requirements in the first place. I mean under BasicMed you are flying with a drivers license, an exam by a state licensed doc, and self assessment. The FAA isn’t involved in the process at all other than publishing the exam checklist. Heck even the 24 month course isn’t produced by the FAA.
 
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.......... My second class medical last August has no restrictions, it reverts to third class next August and probably basic med after that. ....... :)

I haven't seen where a 3rd class medical would revert to basic med after 2 years. Do you have a reference for that?
 
I haven't seen where a 3rd class medical would revert to basic med after 2 years. Do you have a reference for that?

There?s no reference because a 3rd Class medical never reverts to BasicMed?AOPA and the FAA have a lot of info on their websites. If you want to switch, then you have to go through the entire process from the get-go to include getting a new physical from a state licensed doc using the FAA checklist and taking the online course.
 
Insurance Cover under Basic Med

My insurance company, as an owner, says they pretty much consider no difference in CLIII, BasicMed and Sport Pilot flying from a medical standpoint and they will cover you in appropriate aircraft to the medical or lack thereof.
 
I haven't seen where a 3rd class medical would revert to basic med after 2 years. Do you have a reference for that?

I don't think texdog meant that his third class medical would automatically revert to BasicMed. I read it as "HE" would revert to BasicMed after his third class was done.
 
Basic Med

Mel, thank you for making that clear. I do have to do the whole Basic Med in August. Judie has basic med now and our plan is go to Alaska in May, while I still have a class 3.
 
I havent looked into this in a while, but last time I did, the VA wont accept anything but the FAA Class medicals for GiBill used for flight training......FWIW.
 
My BasicMed was done by an AME who could have done a Class 1 for me but told me not to spend the extra money when my aircraft insurance both cover me with BasicMed, I can do my CFI duties with BasicMed, and none of my flying now needs any medical certificate (Class 1, 2 or 3) that BasicMed doesn't cover already. I don't fly as a safety pilot for anyone and now you can even maintain your IFR currency on a simulator WITHOUT a CFII !
 
any news or rumors about any other countries likely to recognize BASICMED?

i'd like to do some flying in Panama next year but don't know status there, for instance...
 
Are any of the advocacy groups like EAA or AOPA trying to get further reform to allow an otherwise qualified pilot to act as safety pilot under BasicMed without having to also act as PIC for the entire duration of the flight? Seems absurdly silly that I can act as PIC but can't act as safety pilot.
 
I had thought Basic Med would be an easier and cheaper process. Nope. Northern CA Kaiser won't sign off on the Basic Med even though they promote health and the opportunity to 'Thrive' in their HMO program. Didn't fulfill my needs at all.

So I ended up at my regular airmed doctor who offered either class 3 or Basic Med at the same price. I had already filled out the paperwork for Basic Med so I went with that. Next time I'll revert back to class 3.

Lawmakers and FAA/AOPA and lobbyists need to push for more acceptance of the Basic Med process and alleviate any liability concerns.
 
Really it’s half the price since basic med is good for four years between doctor visits. Depending on your age for class three duration.

Which doctor did your medical? Cost?
 
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Also remember that if you fail Class III, you fail and enter into FAA Medical ****.

If there is a problem you don't fail Basic Med. You simply don't pass. You and your doctor work out the problem and then he issues Basic Med!
 
I live in the PNW so with Canada so close I need at least a 3rd but do 2nd (used to do 1st but my AME quit doing first class since he's in his 80's- cool dude though, former Navy F-4 driver from Vietnam).

Kind of a bummer too because my best friend a several others are doc's and could sign me off for free.
 
Same price here...

Really it?s half the price since basic med is good for four years between doctor visits. Depending on your age for class three duration.

Which doctor did your medical? Cost?

I went Basic Med and true, it?s four years but at twice the cost of a third class for two years.
 
I live in the PNW so with Canada so close I need at least a 3rd but do 2nd (used to do 1st but my AME quit doing first class since he's in his 80's- cool dude though, former Navy F-4 driver from Vietnam)

Interesting as my AME in TUS is a former AF F-4 driver.
 
I went Basic Med and true, it?s four years but at twice the cost of a third class for two years.

For me, my primary care doctor was willing to sign the BasicMed forms at the end of a standard physical exam, which is covered by my medical insurance as preventive care. Thus, BasicMed lasts longer than a 3rd class medical, and I have no out of pocket cost.
 
For me, my primary care doctor was willing to sign the BasicMed forms at the end of a standard physical exam, which is covered by my medical insurance as preventive care. Thus, BasicMed lasts longer than a 3rd class medical, and I have no out of pocket cost.

Same here!
 
I went to some AOPA thing and one of the topics that was discussed was Basic Med vs. a standard medical.

I'd swear they said you had to make an appointment for the basic med sign off and it could not be combined with a standard visit/physical, but I don't really why
 
Easiest and cheapest route is probably class 1. Sounds crazy. Trust me.

Until the AME says you need an EKG stress test, or a stress echocardiogram...but your health insurance doesn't agree. Then "cheapest" has gone right out the window.

Think it can't happen? LOL...wrong.

I trained in Residency at a clinic with an AME on staff. I was a CFI/I at the time and gave flight reviews and instrument checks to a number of guys who got their medical tickets renewed there. And I helped them to understand why they sometimes had to pay for $1000+ studies that were't deemed necessary by their health insurance--and in some classes I spent long periods of time on the phone with specialists (usually Cardiologists) trying to determine what other tests might be covered, and whether or not it would still appease the FAA guys in OKC. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't.

None of these were even Class 1 medicals, by the way. The vast majority of guys who had these kinds of problems were Class 2 or 3 medicals. This was long before BasicMed, as it was in the late 1990s.

Long story short, I now get the BasicMed. I am a (retired) physician myself, and will be getting my CFI/I re-instated as soon as I can get a spot on the DPE's schedule. I probably have no intention of flying anything faster than 250 kts, that has more than 6 seats, or flies higher than FL180. Maybe things will be different in a year, and I'll have to go back and get a Class 2 medical again. But until then I'm not going to do anything more than I need to do regarding the FAA medical. Fail it once, or (more likely) get yourself into a situation where the AME says you need expensive studies that your health insurance company says you don't, and you'll be in for loads of fun...

Disclaimer:None of this post should be interpreted as offering medical advice. These comments are simply based upon my experience as a physician who also provided flight instruction at the time.

And as always...your mileage may vary.

TB
 
I went to some AOPA thing and one of the topics that was discussed was Basic Med vs. a standard medical.

I'd swear they said you had to make an appointment for the basic med sign off and it could not be combined with a standard visit/physical, but I don't really why

Like others who posted above, my physician does my BasicMed exam as part of my regular exam. He only requires that I bring the vision report from my Optometrist.

I don?t know why the AOPA would say you had to schedule the BasicMed exam separate from your regular exam. I have been a client of the AOPA Pilot Services Program (Legal and Medical) for over ten years and have never been told that by AOPA.

Surely you misunderstood the speaker. Or perhaps the speaker was mistaken.

On the other hand, I can see that some physicians might choose to make the BasicMed exam a separate office visit and charge accordingly.
 
Leave it to the FAA to create (and then NOT resolve) such an apparent caveat.

Sigh...

TB

The problem is, the FAA opposed basic med tooth and nail. Congress created it, but screwed up the language (no surprise), using the term ?PIC? when they should have used ?pilot or required crew member?. The FAA, rather than fix it, dug in their heels and insists on enforcing it as written. Namely, you cannot act as a required crew member (e.g., safety pilot) unless you are also the PIC, under basic med. This of course completely fails common sense.
BTW, for the last couple of decades you only need a class 3, not 2, medical to exercise your cfi privileges (or basic med, but you must be PIC.)
 
AMEs have different opinions about Basic Med. My AME of some 8 years, who also has the designation Senior AME, would not participate in the Basic Med process on the advice of a doctor in the AME world who advised against it. I subsequently got the Basic Med checklist completed by my primary care doctor.
 
The problem is, the FAA opposed basic med tooth and nail. Congress created it, but screwed up the language (no surprise), using the term ‘PIC’ when they should have used ‘pilot or required crew member’. The FAA, rather than fix it, dug in their heels and insists on enforcing it as written. Namely, you cannot act as a required crew member (e.g., safety pilot) unless you are also the PIC, under basic med. This of course completely fails common sense.

BTW, for the last couple of decades you only need a class 3, not 2, medical to exercise your cfi privileges (or basic med, but you must be PIC.)

Yeah, I'm aware of the medical requirements to do CFII stuff, as I've been an instructor since 1987. I just haven't renewed it for a few years as I've been doing simulation-based training stuff more than in-air training. What I meant with the reference to a Class 2 medical, was that if I decided to go fly commercially again (like crew an aircraft), I'd have to go back to an AME.

As to Congress screwing things up, what else is new. Don't ever confuse bureaucrats with common sense. I wasn't aware that the FAA had opposed it so strongly though, to be honest. It doesn't really surprise me, but I didn't know they were that opposed to it.

TB
 
My AME, who is also a Senior AME, does BasicMed.

How does s/he feel about the difference between the BasicMed and a Class 3 medical? I don't know any AMEs who also provide BasicMed, but my personal physician used to be an AME and he signed my BasicMed form this summer. I remember him telling me that the (several page) BasicMed form was more thorough than the Class 3 stuff he used to do.

I did a number of DOT driver medical certifications back when I was practicing medicine, and other than the required labs (I think they required a urinalysis as I recall), the medical portion seems pretty similar.

TB
 
Until the AME says you need an EKG stress test, or a stress echocardiogram...but your health insurance doesn't agree. Then "cheapest" has gone right out the window.

Think it can't happen? LOL...wrong.

I trained in Residency at a clinic with an AME on staff. I was a CFI/I at the time and gave flight reviews and instrument checks to a number of guys who got their medical tickets renewed there. And I helped them to understand why they sometimes had to pay for $1000+ studies that were't deemed necessary by their health insurance--and in some classes I spent long periods of time on the phone with specialists (usually Cardiologists) trying to determine what other tests might be covered, and whether or not it would still appease the FAA guys in OKC. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't.

None of these were even Class 1 medicals, by the way. The vast majority of guys who had these kinds of problems were Class 2 or 3 medicals. This was long before BasicMed, as it was in the late 1990s.

Long story short, I now get the BasicMed. I am a (retired) physician myself, and will be getting my CFI/I re-instated as soon as I can get a spot on the DPE's schedule. I probably have no intention of flying anything faster than 250 kts, that has more than 6 seats, or flies higher than FL180. Maybe things will be different in a year, and I'll have to go back and get a Class 2 medical again. But until then I'm not going to do anything more than I need to do regarding the FAA medical. Fail it once, or (more likely) get yourself into a situation where the AME says you need expensive studies that your health insurance company says you don't, and you'll be in for loads of fun...

Disclaimer:None of this post should be interpreted as offering medical advice. These comments are simply based upon my experience as a physician who also provided flight instruction at the time.

And as always...your mileage may vary.

TB

That is why I specified 1st class. Medicals twice a year. Not 2nd or 3rd.

Find out where your local airline pilots go to get their medicals. You will have a much better chance of passing your medicals.
 
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