It's official... BasicMed expanded

[Brad Z]

The final rule implementing the reauthorization provisions for BasicMed has been published. You can now fly planes with 7 seats, and 12,500 pounds (sorry, no transport category helicopters!). Also, DPEs can now conduct exams using BasicMed.

 

[Kelvin]

Absolutely stellar!

 

[jbarrass]

Progress is possible! Yeah!

 

[Checkout_my_Six]

Good work Brad!!

 

[Half Fast]

Progress is possible when Congress forces it upon the FAA! Yeah!

FIFY

But in any case,...

 

[frfly172]

Now if we can just get the insurance companies to insure older pilots .

 

[flyingron]

FIFY

But in any case,...

Actually, the FAA was all for medical reform. It was a certain class of lobbyists that scuttled it at the DOT level prior to the congressional intervention.

 

[DFH65]

Finally I can buy that P51. I have been holding off because of Basic Med. It had nothing to do with the money. No really it had nothing to do with the money.

 

[Brad Z]

FIFY

But in any case,...

In FAA's defense, much of this had been planned for some time. The congressional mandate bumped it up the rulemaking priority list. It's not by accident that this was the first rule making project resulting from the 2024 reauthorization.

 

[Checkout_my_Six]

Next question....why would I "not" go basic med? I've been getting second class medicals.

 

[AlleyCat67]

Next question....why would I "not" go basic med? I've been getting second class medicals.

To my knowledge Canada still doesn’t recognize Basic Med, so that’s one issue.

 

[Jim_R]

To my knowledge Canada still doesn’t recognize Basic Med, so that’s one issue.

More generally, no other country except Mexico and The Bahamas recognize Basic Med, so that's an issue if you want to fly internationally outside of those areas.

 

[Jim K]

Next question....why would I "not" go basic med? I've been getting second class medicals.

Or if you fly an aircraft capable of using class A airspace.

 

[eman1200]

Next question....why would I "not" go basic med? I've been getting second class medicals.

To answer a question with a question, why have you been getting second-class medicals?

 

[Checkout_my_Six]

To answer a question with a question, why have you been getting second-class medicals?

Because......I can.

 

[Velocity173]

Next question....why would I "not" go basic med? I've been getting second class medicals.

Well, if your job requires second class as mine does, then basic med is useless.

 

[FORANE]

Whoop-de-do

 

[eman1200]

Because......I can.

 

[Barrett50]

Two comments; A. We owe it all to Bruce. He finally made them listen. B. I have an opinion that when the FAA went after pilots for neck size, and sleep apnea, they lost whatever respect they had engendered.

 

[Anthem]

insurance pretty much requires a class 1/2/3 medical for pressurized planes. So if you plan on flying any pressurized planes and want insurance - most dont/wont accept basicMed. If you regularly fly above FL180 then you'll need something more than BM. Obviously if you fly a plane that can seat more than 7 or > 12,500 then you will as well. And also if you plan on flying in to Canada, you'll need something else as well.

 

[hindsight2020]

So.... unpressurized airplanes (because as mentioned, pressurized airplanes are de facto eliminated by insurance usurping the regulator role from the FAA) between #6K and #12.5K. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for whoever this applies to, but I legit struggle to come up with examples that resemble the remark with enough market volume as to not be handwaved away as immaterial virtue signaling cosplaying as reform.

 

[Brad Z]

So.... unpressurized airplanes (because as mentioned, pressurized airplanes are de facto eliminated by insurance usurping the regulator role from the FAA) between #6K and #12.5K. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for whoever this applies to, but I legit struggle to come up with examples that resemble the remark with enough market volume as to not be handwaved away as immaterial virtue signaling cosplaying as reform.

I think the 7 seat thing was a fix to the PA-32 seat problem (many PA-32s are certified for 7 seats, even if only 6 are installed). The 12,500 was to fix the Cessna 400 series twin weight issue. (I suggested nixing the seat limit all together and just limit number of occupants regardless of number of seats. Unfortunately that never made it into the final version of the bill that needed up getting signed). I suspect we will see some paperwork STCs to remove seats for Caravans and the like.

 

[hindsight2020]

yeah I figured the 7 seat thing was probably that one offy nothingburger with the PA-32. I was more interested in the above #6K market.

...So a few rec use C-4xx money bags numbering in the hundreds, for whom SI-hoops are not a cost object anyways. That it? Yeah, I second post diecisiete.

 

[Dave Anderson]

Now if we can elongate the 3rd class prior requirement which literally does nothing to truce risk based on data

 

[Ryan F.]

Though I'm still able to hold a first class medical (for my day job) without difficulty, this is great news for my future full-time retirement plans.

 

[midlifeflyer]

Now if we can elongate the 3rd class prior requirement which literally does nothing to truce risk based on data

The requirement is up to 18 years at this point and "elongates" every year. I understand the desire to remove the prior FAA medical requirement entirely, but I'm not sure what "elongate" does as a whole (as opposed to the few folks captured by the extension).

 

[midlifeflyer]

I think the 7 seat thing was a fix to the PA-32 seat problem (many PA-32s are certified for 7 seats, even if only 6 are installed). The 12,500 was to fix the Cessna 400 series twin weight issue. (I suggested nixing the seat limit all together and just limit number of occupants regardless of number of seats. Unfortunately that never made it into the final version of the bill that needed up getting signed). I suspect we will see some paperwork STCs to remove seats for Caravans and the like.

Pretty sure you are correct about the change from 6 to 7. The FAA's existing BasicMed FAQ has an extensive discussion of the PA32 issue.

 

[Tokirbymd]

insurance pretty much requires a class 1/2/3 medical for pressurized planes. So if you plan on flying any pressurized planes and want insurance - most dont/wont accept basicMed. If you regularly fly above FL180 then you'll need something more than BM. Obviously if you fly a plane that can seat more than 7 or > 12,500 then you will as well. And also if you plan on flying in to Canada, you'll need something else as well.

Really? Dang, I had hoped this would allow me to move from my Seneca to a 340.

 

[Pinecone]

Interesting thread on BT. The language is AUTHORIZED for no more than 7 occupants. NOT Certified. But the GW limit does say Certified.

Maybe a big deal with the recent Chevron decision.

Next change, hopefully raising the altitude limit. Maybe use FL290, the start of RVSM.

 

[midlifeflyer]

Interesting thread on BT. The language is AUTHORIZED for no more than 7 occupants. NOT Certified. But the GW limit does say Certified.

Maybe a big deal with the recent Chevron decision.

What does Chevron have to do with the language that came from Congress? I haven't looked at that thread but It has said "authorized" since the original legislation in 2016. Now, suddenly, it's a problem? Or just a solution in search of a problem?

I suspect the original "authorized" language, rather than "certified" may have something to do with avoiding issues like "originally" certified or STC. Or experimental aircraft which don't have direct FAA certification.

 

[MikeNY]

the 7 seat thing was a fix to the PA-32 seat problem (many PA-32s are certified for 7 seats, even if only 6 are installed).

Thank you!
BM no longer requires STC for affected aircraft; good work!
For those currently benefiting, and those who may in future, your time and efforts are appreciated.
Nice job Brad, thanks!

The Piper PA-32R-300 (Lance), Piper PA-32RT-300 (Lance II), PA-32RT-300T (Turbo Lance II), PA-32R-301 (Saratoga SP), PA-32R-301T (Turbo Saratoga SP), PA-32-301(Saratoga), and PA-32-301T (Turbo Saratoga) are authorized to be equipped with 7 seats. Although the center seats may be removed and replaced by Optional Club Seats to carry 6 occupants and some aircraft are also authorized for an unmodified 6 seat configuration, all these aircraft are authorized to carry more than 6 occupants without further modification and therefore may not be operated under BasicMed. These aircraft may only be operated under BasicMed pursuant to the issuance and inclusion in their type design of a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) that restricts the aircraft to 6 seats.