Full medical versus basic med?

[rockingaviator]

I am looking at full medical vs basic medical with past medical and driver license. Since I don't fly commercial and recreational VFR before the lapse what would you recommend? So far my health has been ok.

 

[rk911]

if you qualify for basic med why wouldn't you do that?

 

[rockingaviator]

Not sure why just asking.

 

[Greg Bockelman]

If you can live with the restrictions there is no reason not to go basic med.

 

[biplanebob]

If you can live with the restrictions there is no reason not to go basic med.

I once had an AME tell me "never apply for a medical class that is higher than you need"...….therefore: if all you need or will need is Basic Med... don't risk a problem found on a 3rd class

 

[aftCG]

Got my BFR last week . Had to rent a nose wheel plane for it .
They asked about my medical (current 3rd class). Was told they don't rent to basic med people, and they said that's not uncommon. News to me but thought it might be useful to others

 

[AggieMike88]

Was told they don't rent to basic med people, and they said that's not uncommon

If'n that was me being discriminated on, I'd be challenging that thinking and asking them to justify their position.

No were else am I encountering this.

 

[bflynn]

Got my BFR last week . Had to rent a nose wheel plane for it .
They asked about my medical (current 3rd class). Was told they don't rent to basic med people, and they said that's not uncommon. News to me but thought it might be useful to others

It's the first time I heard this from anywhere. It certainly is uncommon. What the rental place usually cares about is whether or not you have insurance that will pay for their airplane if you ding it and (almost?) every insurance company covers basicmed.

The restrictions aren't likely to affect most GA pilots.
No flying in class A
Nothing > 250 kts
No aircraft with more than 6 seats / 5 passenger seats.

All you need is a 3rd class or greater medical that was valid after 7/14/2006 and was not revoked. Then take a medical exam (see the AC covering Basicmed for that form) with your doctor and take an online course/test. It's a very easy way to get into the air.

 

[OneCharlieTango]

Canada. The ONLY reason I might get another Class 3 is to fly into Canada.

 

[FORANE]

When's Canada going to allow basic med eh?

 

[midlifeflyer]

If'n that was me being discriminated on, I'd be challenging that thinking and asking them to justify their position.

No were else am I encountering this.

I heard about a few places doing this at the very beginning when there were also a lot of concerns about how the aviation insurance industry would react. The typical reaction to something new. We all saw it in discussions here.

But I haven't heard of a place continuing it.

(Btw, they might well respond, "we don't have to justify our position to you.")

 

[timwinters]

If'n that was me being discriminated on, I'd be challenging that thinking and asking them to justify their position.

I don't believe pilots with basic med certs are a protected class.

 

[bbchien]

When's Canada going to allow basic med eh?

Not happening, as DOT refused to act on CA Class 4.

 

[Half Fast]

I don't believe pilots with basic med certs are a protected class.

Well they should be!

 

[JoesPiper]

3rd Class and Basic Med is the same thing except blood pressure. Basic Med doesn't even ask and the ticket is good gor 4 years and the doctor doesn't even have to sign it if he/she doesn't want to.

 

[Dana]

3rd Class and Basic Med is the same thing except blood pressure. Basic Med doesn't even ask and the ticket is good gor 4 years and the doctor doesn't even have to sign it if he/she doesn't want to.

One big difference, if you fail a 3rd class you can't fly as a sport pilot, if your doctor refuses to sign a basicmed application you can find another doctor or fly as a sport pilot.

 

[JoesPiper]

I really don't care.