New BasicMed Expansion Takes Effect | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-02.10.25

Airborne-NextGen-02.11.25

Airborne-Unlimited-02.12.25

Airborne-AffordableFlyers-02.13.25

Airborne-Unlimited-02.07.25

Fri, Nov 15, 2024

New BasicMed Expansion Takes Effect

Loosens Restrictions on Passenger and Payload for Covered Aircraft

As of November 12, 2024, expansions to BasicMed operations have officially gone into effect. These are included in Section 828 of the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act (H.R. 3935), which was signed into law in May.

Under these new regulations, pilots flying under BasicMed privileges can operate aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of up to 12,500 pounds. This is over double the original limit of 6,000 pounds, giving pilots the option to fly heavier aircraft like the Cessna 402 or Piper Navajo The other primary bump is the ability to carry 6 passengers in an aircraft certified for seven seats. The previous regulation was one person less.

These changes increase flexibility for recreational and personal flying while still keeping safety limits in place.

Several original BasicMed rules were unchanged in the expansion. Pilots flying under these privileges are still restricted to flying at 250 knots or below, staying at or under 18,000 feet MSL, and not flying for hire.

Pilots who have held a valid FAA medical certificate at any point after July 14, 2006, are eligible to use BasicMed as long as they complete a medical exam with a physician every four years and an online aeromedical course every two years. This system eliminates the need for regular FAA medical exams, offering greater convenience for many private pilots.

Additionally, BasicMed will now be extended to Designated Pilot Examiners (DPEs). This allows them to conduct practical tests and proficiency checks using BasicMed in spite of FAR 61.23. While the FAA is still working to come up with guidelines, this change supports broader accessibility to pilot certification resources.

For many pilots, BasicMed offers financial and regulatory relief, particularly for those with special issuance medicals. If a pilot previously held a special issuance medical and does not have certain specified cardiac, neurological, or mental health conditions, they may avoid the special issuance process entirely under BasicMed.

The recent expansion to weight and passenger limits approved under BasicMed enhances pilots’ flexibility in choosing aircraft and makes this certification a more appealing alternative for the general aviation community.

FMI: www.faa.gov

Advertisement

More News

NTSB Final Report: SlipStream International Genesis

Airplane Veered Left Of The Runway And Struck Trees Before It Came To Rest In A Grass Area Analysis: The student pilot was conducting a solo flight when he was unable to keep the a>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (02.12.25): Navigable Airspace

Navigable Airspace Airspace at and above the minimum flight altitudes prescribed in the CFRs including airspace needed for safe takeoff and landing.>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (02.12.25)

Aero Linx: Great Alaska Aviation Gathering At the Alaska Airmen's Association, we're more than just a community; we're a vibrant, passion-driven movement dedicated to safeguarding,>[...]

Aero-FAQ: Dave Juwel's Aviation Marketing Stories -- ITBOA BNITBOB

Dave Juwel's Aviation Marketing Stories ITBOA BNITBOB ... what does that mean? It's not gibberish, it's a lengthy acronym for "In The Business Of Aviation ... But Not In The Busine>[...]

Airborne 02.07.25: ERAU Buys NX Cubs, Able Flight's 100th, DCA Video Arrest

Also: $7B Embraer Buy, Tariff Pause, Air Tour Safety Committee, 1st CA SkyCourier Embry Riddle Aeronautical University recently announced that its flight team, the Golden Eagles, w>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC