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5.2.4.4 Section 61.113(i)(2)(iv) requires that the flight, including each portion of that flight, is not carried out at an indicated air speed exceeding 250 knots.
Recognizing that many aircraft have airspeed indicators that read in miles per hour (mph), 250 knots is equivalent to 288 mph. If the aircraft can be safely operated (that is, operated in a manner that is not careless or reckless) at a speed of 250 knots or less, then that aircraft may be operated under BasicMed.
5.2.5 Flight Limitation Applicability. A “flight, including each portion of the flight,” means that all of the flight limitations for the operation described above, set forth in § 61.113(i)(2)(i) (iv), apply to the entire flight. Accordingly, if BasicMed is being exercised in any flight, it must be applied for the entire flight (takeoff to full-stop landing) and all the operational restrictions apply for the entire flight. As such, on a flight in which two pilots are present, one holding a medical certificate and the other operating under BasicMed, if the pilot operating under BasicMed is acting as PIC, then no portion of the flight may go beyond the limitations set forth in this section even though the pilot holding the medical certificate may be able to act as PIC during the portion of the flight conducted outside the limitations.
6-1 CHAPTER 6. MEDICAL EDUCATION COURSE REQUIREMENTS
6.1 Availability of the Medical Education Course. The FAA’s publicly-accessible website contains a list of each medical education course that the FAA has accepted for BasicMed purposes.
Note: Nonprofit or not-for-profit general aviation stakeholder groups interested in being a BasicMed course provider can contact the FAA at 9-AWA-AFS-basicmed@faa.gov.
6.2 Course Requirements. Each online medical course accepted by the FAA will include the following elements, in accordance with § 68.3:
1. Educate pilots on conducting medical self-assessments.
2. Advise pilots on identifying warning signs of potential serious medical conditions.
3. Identify risk mitigation strategies for medical conditions.
4. Increase awareness of the impacts of potentially impairing over-the-counter and prescription drug medications.
5. Encourage regular medical examinations and consultations with primary care physicians.
6. Inform pilots of the regulations pertaining to the prohibition on operations during medical deficiency and medically disqualifying conditions.
7. Provide the checklist developed by the FAA in accordance with § 68.7.
6.3 Documents the Course Must Provide to the Individual and Transmit to the FAA. In accordance with § 68.3(b), upon successful completion of the course, the medical education course must electronically provide to the individual and transmit to the FAA:
1. A certification of completion of the medical education course.
2. A release authorizing single access to the National Driver Register (NDR) through a designated State Department of Motor Vehicles to furnish to the FAA information pertaining to the individual’s driving record.
3. A certification by the individual that the individual is under the care and treatment of a physician if the individual has been diagnosed with any medical condition that may impact the ability of the individual to fly.
4. Information provided by the pilot about the physician and the comprehensive medical examination, including:
• The pilot’s name, address, telephone number, and airman certificate number;
• The name, address, telephone number, and State medical license number of the physician performing the comprehensive medical examination;
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• The date of the comprehensive medical examination; and
• A certification by the individual that the checklist described in § 68.7 was followed and signed by the physician in the comprehensive medical examination.
5. A statement certifying that the individual understands the existing prohibition on operations during medical deficiency. In accordance with § 68.3(b)(5), the person must attest that “I understand that I cannot act as pilot in command, or any other capacity as a required flightcrew member, if I know or have reason to know of any medical condition that would make me unable to operate the aircraft in a safe manner.” This statement shall be electronically provided to the individual and transmitted to the FAA upon successful completion of the course.
7-1 CHAPTER 7. COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS
7.1 General. In order for an individual to operate under BasicMed, he or she must receive a comprehensive medical examination from a State-licensed physician during the previous 48 months in accordance with § 61.23(c)(3)(i)(D). The physician does not need to be an FAA-designated AME, although AMEs are not prohibited from providing this examination. Section 68.5(a)(1) requires the individual to complete the individual’s section of the Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist (CMEC) described in § 68.7(a) and to provide the completed checklist to the physician performing the examination.
Section 68.5(b) requires the physician to conduct the comprehensive medical examination in accordance with the checklist, check each item specified during the examination, and address, as medically appropriate, every medical condition listed and any medications the individual is taking.
7.2 Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist (CMEC). The CMEC provides an outline of the elements that must be accomplished in order to meet the requirements of BasicMed. The CMEC is completed by the individual and then provided to the physician performing the comprehensive medical examination. The checklist, which can be found in Appendix A, Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist, contains three sections:
a section with instructions, a section for the airman to complete, and a section for the physician to complete.
7.2.1 Section for the Airman to Complete. In accordance with § 68.7(a)(1), the portion of the checklist for the individual to complete must include the same questions as boxes 3 through 13 and boxes 16 through 19 of the FAA Form 8500-8, Application for Airman Medical Certificate, dated 3-99. These questions include:
1. Name (Last name, First name, Middle name, Suffix).
2. Social Security Number (optional).
3. Street address (City, State, Zip Code, Country).
4. Telephone number.
5. Country of citizenship.
6. Date of birth (mm/dd/yyyy).
7. Hair color.
8. Eye color.
9. Sex (male/female).
10. Type of airman certificate held.
11. Occupation.
12. Employer.
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13. Has your FAA airman medical certificate ever been denied, suspended, or revoked? (Yes, No) If yes, give date (mm/dd/yyyy).
14. Date of last FAA medical application (mm/dd/yyyy).
15. Do you currently use any prescription or nonprescription medication?
(Yes, No).
16. For each medication prescribed, provide medication name, dosage, dosage unit, frequency, and whether previously reported.
17. Do you ever use near vision contact lens(es) while flying? (Yes, No).
18. Medical History. Have you ever in your life been diagnosed with, had, or do you presently have any of the following? (Yes, No, Comment).
a. Frequent or severe headaches.
b. Dizziness or fainting spell.
c. Unconsciousness for any reason.
d. Eye or vision trouble, except glasses.
e. Hay fever or allergy.
f. Asthma or lung disease.
g. Heart or vascular trouble.
h. High or low blood pressure.
i. Stomach, liver, or intestinal trouble.
j. Kidney stone or blood in urine.
k. Diabetes.
l. Neurological disorders: epilepsy, seizures, stroke, paralysis, etc.
m. Mental disorders of any sort: depression, anxiety, etc.
n. Substance dependence or failed a drug test ever; or substance abuse or use of illegal substance in the last 2 years.
o. Alcohol dependence or abuse.
p. Suicide attempt.
q. Motion sickness requiring medication.
r. Military medical discharge.
s. Medical rejection by military service.
t. Rejection for life or health insurance.
u. Admission to hospital.
v. History of (1) any conviction(s) involving driving while intoxicated by, while impaired by, or while under the influence of alcohol or a drug; or (2) history of any conviction(s) or administrative action(s)
7-3 involving an offense(s) which resulted in the denial, suspension, cancellation, or revocation of driving privileges or which resulted in attendance at an educational or a rehabilitation program.
w. History of nontraffic conviction(s) (misdemeanors or felonies).
x. Other illness, disability, or surgery.
7.2.1.1 Section 68.7(a)(2) requires this section of the checklist to also contain a signature line for the individual to affirm that:
1. The answers provided by the individual on that checklist, including the individual’s answers regarding medical history, are true and complete;
2. The individual understands that he or she is prohibited under FAA regulations from acting as PIC, or any other capacity as a required flightcrew member, if he or she knows or has reason to know of any medical deficiency or medically disqualifying condition that would make the individual unable to operate the aircraft in a safe manner; and
3. The individual is aware of the regulations pertaining to the prohibition on operations during medical deficiency and has no medically disqualifying conditions in accordance with applicable law.
7.2.2 Section for the Physician to Complete. The third section of the checklist includes a portion for the physician to complete, and instructs the physician to perform a clinical examination10 of the following:
1. Head, face, neck, and scalp.
2. Nose, sinuses, mouth, and throat.
3. Ears, general (internal and external canals), and eardrums (perforation).
4. Eyes (general), ophthalmoscopic, pupils (equality and reaction), and ocular motility (associated parallel movement, nystagmus).
5. Lungs and chest (not including breast examination).
6. Heart (precordial activity, rhythm, sounds, and murmurs).
7. Vascular system (pulse, amplitude, and character, and arms, legs, and others).
8. Abdomen and viscera (including hernia).
9. Anus (not including digital examination).
10. Skin.
11. G–U system (not including pelvic examination).
10 § 68.7(c)
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12. Upper and lower extremities (strength and range of motion).
13. Spine and other musculoskeletal.
14. Identifying body marks, scars, and tattoos (size and location).
15. Lymphatics.
16. Neurologic (tendon reflexes, equilibrium, senses, cranial nerves, and coordination, etc.).
17. Psychiatric (appearance, behavior, mood, communication, and memory).
18. General systemic.
19. Hearing.
20. Vision (distant, near, and intermediate vision, field of vision, color vision, and ocular alignment).
21. Blood pressure and pulse.
22. Anything else the physician, in his or her medical judgment, considers necessary.
7.2.2.1 Section 68.7(c)(2) requires the physician:
• To exercise medical discretion to address, as medically appropriate, any medical conditions identified; and
• To exercise medical discretion in determining whether any medical tests are warranted as part of the comprehensive medical examination.
7.2.2.2 Section 68.7(c)(3) requires the physician to discuss all prescription and nonprescription drugs the individual reports taking and their potential to interfere with the safe operation of an aircraft or motor vehicle.
7.2.2.3 Provided the physician is satisfied that the applicant does not present any medical evidence that the applicant is not safe for flight, the physician shall sign and date the checklist in accordance with § 68.7(c)(4).
7.3 Physician Qualifications. The FAA relies on the determination of each State (as well as each territory and possession of the United States) as to which persons it will license as physicians. If the person holds a license as a physician issued by any State, territory, or possession, then they meet the requirement as a state-licensed physician. The FAA notes that all States license medical doctors (M.D.) and doctors of osteopathic medicine (D.O.)
as physicians; although Federal and some State laws may permit the licensure of other persons, such as doctors of dental surgery (D.D.S.), as physicians. While the FAA expects that these specialists (e.g., D.D.S., dentist, podiatrist, etc.) who do not also hold an M.D. or D.O. would not have the breadth of training for a BasicMed medical examination, the FAA will rely on each State-licensed physician to determine whether he or she is qualified to conduct the medical examination.
7.3.1 Physicians should refer to their State medical licensing authority for further guidance.
8-1 CHAPTER 8. SPECIAL BASICMED REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN
MEDICAL CONDITIONS
8.1 General. BasicMed contains several provisions that require specific actions for individuals who have mental, cardiac, or neurological health conditions.
8.2 Special Issuance Medical Certificates Required. For certain conditions, a person wishing to operate under BasicMed must complete the process for obtaining an authorization for special issuance of a medical certificate in accordance with § 68.9. The person is required to obtain only one special issuance medical certificate for each condition, and may subsequently operate under BasicMed. Persons who have, or are newly diagnosed with, a cardiovascular, neurological, or mental health condition described in FESSA, may not use BasicMed until they have been found eligible for special issuance of a medical certificate. Once issued a medical certificate, the person may then use BasicMed if they meet all other requirements of FESSA. These conditions are listed below:
8.2.1 A mental health disorder, limited to an established medical history or clinical diagnosis of any of the following:
1. Personality disorder that is severe enough to have repeatedly manifested itself by overt acts.
2. Psychosis, defined as a case in which an individual:
• Has manifested delusions, hallucinations, grossly bizarre or disorganized behavior, or other commonly accepted symptoms of psychosis; or
• May reasonably be expected to manifest delusions, hallucinations, grossly bizarre or disorganized behavior, or other commonly accepted symptoms of psychosis.
3. Bipolar disorder.
4. Substance dependence within the previous 2 years, as defined in part 67, § 67.307(a)(4).
8.2.2 A neurological disorder, limited to an established medical history or clinical diagnosis of any of the following:
1. Epilepsy.
2. Disturbance of consciousness without satisfactory medical explanation of the cause.
3. A transient loss of control of nervous system functions without satisfactory medical explanation of the cause.
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8.2.3 A cardiovascular condition, limited to a one-time special issuance for each diagnosis of the following:
1. Myocardial infarction.
2. Coronary heart disease that has required treatment.
3. Cardiac valve replacement.
4. Heart replacement.
8.3 BasicMed Prohibitions for Persons with Mental Health Conditions.
8.3.1 Section 68.9(c)(1)(i) prohibits an individual with a clinically diagnosed mental health condition from operating under BasicMed if, in the judgment of the individual’s State-licensed medical specialist, the condition:
1. Renders the individual unable to safely operate under BasicMed; or
2. May reasonably be expected to make the individual unable to operate under BasicMed.
8.3.2 Section 68.9(c)(1)(ii) prohibits a person from operating under BasicMed if the person’s driver’s license is revoked by the issuing agency as a result of a clinically diagnosed mental health condition.
8.4 BasicMed Prohibitions for Persons with Neurological Health Conditions. Under § 68.9(d)(1), an individual with a clinically diagnosed neurological condition may not operate under BasicMed if the individual’s driver’s license is revoked by the issuing agency as a result of a clinically diagnosed neurological condition, or if, in the judgment of the individual’s State-licensed medical specialist, the condition:
1. Renders the individual unable to safely operate under BasicMed; or
2. May reasonably be expected to make the individual unable to safely operate under BasicMed.
Appendix А APPENDIX A. COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL EXAMINATION CHECKLIST Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist SECTION 1 - Instructions to the Individual and State-Licensed Physician This checklist is to be used by individuals seeking to operate certain small aircraft in accordance with Title14 of Code of the Federal Regulations (14 CFR), § 61.113(i). This rule (BasicMed) allows pilots to use this checklist, and other requirements, in lieu of holding a third-class FAA Airman Medical Certificate.
Under BasicMed, an individual may only act as pilot-in-command (PIC) of an aircraft that is authorized to carry not more than 6 occupants, and that has a maximum certificated takeoff weight of not more than
1. The individual must complete SECTION 2 of this checklist and provide the checklist in its entirety (including the completed SECTION 2) to the state-licensed physician performing the medical examination.
2. The state-licensed physician must perform a comprehensive medical examination addressing all items in SECTION 3 of this checklist. The physician completes the "Physician's Signature and Declaration" if the physician determines that he/she is not aware of any medical condition that, as presently treated, could
3. The completed checklist shall be retained in the individual's logbook (in any legible paper or electronic format) and made available on request.
4. In order to act as PIC under BasicMed, an individual must receive a comprehensive medical examination by a state-licensed physician during the previous 48 months in accordance with 14 CFR 61.23(c)(3)(i).
1 FAA 8700-2 Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist (04-17) A-1
Appendix А Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist NOTICE: Whoever in any matter within the jurisdiction of any department or agency of the United States knowingly and willingly falsifies, conceals or covers up by any trick, scheme, or device a material fact, or who makes any false, fictitious or fraudulent statements or representations, or entry, may be fined up to $250,000 or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both. (18 U.S.C Secs. 1001; 3571) Paperwork Reduction Act Statement:
The information collection is conducted in accordance with the requirements of 44 USC § 3507, as amended by section 2 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The information collected on this form is necessary to determine eligibility to exercise pilot privileges under BasicMed and is consistent with the FAA's authority to regulate and promote safety in air commerce under 49 USC 44701; see also the Federal Aviation Administration Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016, Pub. L. 114-190 § 2307, Medical Certification of Certain Small Aircraft Pilots. The FAA estimated that it will take each user O.5 hours per user to complete the BasicMed Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist. The information is required to be eligible to exercise pilot privileges under BasicMed. Note that an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
The control number for this collection of information is 2120-0770.
2 FAA 8700-2 Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist (04-17) A-2
Appendix А Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist SECTION 2 - Information to be completed by the Airman To operate an aircraft under BasicMed, you may only use this checklist to comply with 14 CFR 61.113(i) if you:
• Hold or have held a valid first-, second-, or third-class medical certificate issued by the FAA at
• The most recent medical certificate held (including an authorization for a special issuance certificate) must have not been denied, suspended, revoked, or withdrawn.
INSTRUCTIONS: After completing all mandatory fields in SECTION 2, provide both SECTION 2 and SECTION 3 to the state-licensed physician who will perform your medical examination.
1. OMITTED: Leave blank
2. OMITTED: Leave blank
3. FULL NAME: List current name. List any former name(s) in the "additional comments or explanation" box found in #18 of the checklist form.
4. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER: Entry is optional.
5. ADDRESS: Enter permanent mailing address and country of residence. Include the nine digit ZIP code, if known. (e.g., 20003-3230). Provide your current telephone number, including area code.
6. DATE OF BIRTH: List month, day, and year (e.g., 01/31/1960). COUNTRY OF CITIZENSHIP: Enter citizenship (e.g., USA).
7. COLOR OF HAIR: Specify as black, blond, brown, gray, red, or bald.
8. COLOR OF EYES: Specify actual (not contact lenses) eye color as black, blue, brown, green, gray, or hazel.
9. SEX: Indicate male or female.
10. TYPE OF AIRMAN CERTIFICATE(S) YOU HOLD: Select the checkboxes that apply. If "Other" is selected, write in the name of the type of certificate.
11. OCCUPATION: Enter major employment. Entry is optional.
12. EMPLOYER: Enter your employer. Entry is optional.
13. HAS YOUR FAA AIRMAN MEDICAL CERTIFICATE EVER BEEN DENIED, SUSPENDED, REVOKED, OR WITHDRAWN: Select "Yes" or "No." If "Yes" is selected, list the month and year (e.g., 01/1999) of the action.
14. OMITTED: Leave blank
15. OMITTED: Leave blank
16. DATE OF LAST FAA MEDICAL APPLICATION: Enter month and year. If you have no prior application, you cannot use BasicMed.
17. a. DO YOU CURRENTLY USE ANY MEDICATION (prescription or non-prescription): Select "Yes" or "No." If "Yes" is selected, enter the name of the medication(s), dosage, and frequency used.
b. DO YOU EVER USE NEAR VISION CONTACT LENSES WHILE FLYING: Select "Yes" or "No."
Example: If you have one contact that is calibrated to give you near vision and one that is calibrated to give you distant vision, check "Yes." If you wear a contact in only one eye to correct for near vision, check "Yes."
18. a - x. MEDICAL HISTORY: Select "Yes" or "No" for each item listed. For every condition you have ever been diagnosed with, had, or presently have, you must answer "Yes." Give the approximate date, description of the condition, its severity, treatment, and any medication(s) you used or continue to use for treatment. You must give an explanation for each item marked "Yes" in the "additional comments or
• Do not report common, occasional illnesses such as colds or sore throats.
"Substances" include alcohol, PCP, marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, barbiturates, opiates, and 3 FAA 8700-2 Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist (04-17) A-3