New Regulations Conjure Questions / Confusion

By Gene Yarbrough, ANN Resident Political analyst / Conspiracy Theorist

Dr. Brent Blue presented the first forum on the new FAA BasicMed Rule that went public this past May. A Senior AME himself, and perennial Oshkosh professor, Dr. Blue gave a thorough overview of the new regulation, its implementation, and some more nuanced circumstances that arenít fully vetted by FAA yet.

Dr. Blue reviewed the pre-requisites necessary to apply for a BasicMed certificate:
1. Must have had any class of Medical certificate expired after June15, 2006
2. Cannot have the last medical certificate suspended or revoked

And the steps required to obtain the BasicMed certificate:
1. Must take and pass an internet based knowledge test
2. Must have physical exam signed off by any state licensed physician

However, three medical areas still require a special issuance, even under BasicMed:

• Neurologic
• Psychologic
• Cardiac

Each of these conditions require a special issuance, however under the BasicMed scheme this becomes merely a more frequent renewal process rather than a full battery of expensive test as in the previous medical certificate framework. Compliance for the special issuance conditions comes in the form of visiting your physician yearly, or at most every two years, getting the same general exam and sign off, instead of repeated unnecessary testing as before.

Dr. Blue also emphasized the fact that a person can hold a BasicMed certificate simultaneously with any other Medical Certificate without conflict.

Dr. Blue stated that the BasicMed ruling, although not everything the public wanted, in fact complies with Congress directives and will be significantly more beneficial and useable compared to the previous onerous medical alternatives.

When asked what next steps are being taken to further expand upon BasicMed, Dr. Blue indicated that there is some thought about expanding LSA aircraft definitions to align with aircraft type and classes included in BasicMed and defaulting 3rd class medicals to the BasicMed definition.

FMI: FAA.gov