The Best FAA Medical Choice for You

Every pilot that wants to fly an Experimental aircraft in the US needs a pilot license AND an FAA approved medical certificate. There are currently 3 flavors of FAA medical certification that can be used: 3rd class, Sport Pilot rules, and BasicMed. Each of these has its unique benefits and pitfalls. This video highlights and compares all three options so that a pilot can decide which is best suited for their type of flying in their homebuilt aircraft.

[jefferyhudson]

Thanks Jon, I was wondering which one I should get this year. My 3rd class medical just expired . I think I will go with the Basic Med.

[rodneycichon]

Thanks for the info. I held a 3 rd class medical in 1976 when I was flying. Trying to get back into it. I want to buy an airplane but if I can’t pass the 3rd class medical then I’m out of luck. So I’ll have to go for a light sport. But don’t like the 120 miles an hour limit..

[mike]

IMHO, The Third class medical for private pilots including for certificated aircraft should be eliminated. All the "official" paid medicals that require you to see an "approved" doctor should be eliminated for "private pilots", any pilot that does not fly for pay. It should be replaced by a note signed by your primary physician that says you are in generally good health and lists any health issues and meds (such as high blood pressure...). I suggest this for a couple of reasons. First, any physical done by a doctor other than your primary care doctor is at best an educated guess as to your overall health. They can't just see you for an hour, do a few tests and know what your health really is. That fact can be seen by the number of airline pilots that die on the job even when they are required to have a first class medical every 6 months. If that is the case, then what meaning does a medical have after two years or more. Second, private pilots do not have the added stress involved with HAVING to fly to put food on the table. Less of the "got to get there" forces. A private pilot can say that they don't fell well so I won't fly today. Third, I believe that the Sport pilot rules have been around long enough to show that having an "official" medical certificate or not has NOT made any difference in accident rates. Meaning pilots with medical certs and those without have similar statistics.
Since our current government is in a much better position to take a look at regulations and perhaps make some needed changes, I will be forwarding my suggestions to both the FAA and my Congressman.

[tinman]

OK, so I have private pilot land/instrument certification. Can I fly light sport aircraft without a medical certification?

[rayboyer]

Wow, very good explanation. Simple, but to the point with special insights.

[mikecoy]

Can you still get your sports pilot's cert if you have a history of DUI?

[michaeltucker]

Jon, this is a great summary video. Very clear and concise. This is definitely the most organized and straightforward explanation fo the medical requirements that I have seen. Thanks!

[rogangranite]

Thanks Jan you always do a good job. You gave my mind a little rest.

[catliftresearch]

Glad I watched this! I was just about to screw up.

[sansdecorum]

My one and only 3rd Class Medical wss issued in 1978 when I was taking lessons, but derailled by other obligations. I did not finish my training and regret it to this day. So, with a medical that expired 38 year ago, if appears a Basic Med is simply not an option. Looks like Sport Pilot or Ulltralite is all that's left with all options being tossed off the table should one attempt and somehow fail a current Class 3 exam. Some choice.

[johnhkilroy]

Thanks for the best summation of the process I've been able to find so far. Great video and thank you for taking the time to make it. It answered a bunch of my questions and of course, created a bunch more.
Being 50+ with typical age related health issues/concerns and a wanna be newbie pilot, the choice of committing to the Sport vs PPL class III medical is daunting. Fundamentally, a bunch of rabbit holes for the FAA to deep dive into is the concern that I have. I guess I have a bit more investigating to do with my potential flight school and other pilots.

Like the post earlier, 120 knots and two seats is a little too slow for the x-country traveling mission I'm wanting to pursue.

However, a commitment to the class III and a potential disqualification and/or perpetual hoops (and $expenses) to get through before even having a chance at Basic Med is a serious concern. Potential one and done, "no hope" decision since the Sport "drivers license" cert is null and void after a class III denial or deferment during FAA review.

The crux of the decision distills to:
Option 1, Play it safe with Sport cert or
Option 2, laying down the chips and betting it all or nothing with a class III. And if it starts going south, best have a lot of $ and time to save it or nothing it will be, possibly for life.

Is my interpretation and understanding accurate?

Regardless, at least having the option to choose is much better than what it used to be. Progress. But, what a choice!

BTW, TeamCMEphysicals is an app that some folks may find useful. It has listings of doctors that support Basic Med certs and local AMEs . Its in Google Play Store for Android users. Can't attest to its accuracy, but it has a lot more local AMEs listed in my area than what I have found on other web sites. Again, it may be a good resource for some.

[tntkop]

I’m a retired police officer in good overall health. However, I had a spinal fusion surgery in 2010 as a result on an on-the-job injury. Although I have to take a mild non-narcotic prescription pain medication, I was able to return to full duty, working the streets. I was permitted to take the medication while on patrol, working with explosives on Bomb Squad, and handle firearms on a daily basis. The neurosurgeon described the medication as basically one step up from Tylenol.
The medication doesn’t have any drowsy side affects like opioids or other narcotics, nor does it impair cognitive thinking or abilities.
Has anyone had any similar experience and still been able to obtain their Basic Med?
I have already taken my physical, and the doctor would have approved it right then, but said he was required to defer it to the FAA. He said it would take about 90 days to hear from the FAA, but now with government shutdown that had lasted over a month, I’m sure it’s going to take much longer before I hear anything from the FAA.
I began taking lessons in December 2018, and am still taking lessons, but I’m anxious and getting frustrated at the delay.
And after watching this video, it seems that while being honest about my condition and taking a Basic Med exam, the FAA could deny me. But I could have been DISHONEST, and had far worse medical conditions, be addicted to opioids, and even be a fat, overweight alcoholic crack head who just got my drivers license reinstated after my 5th DUI, and the FAA would gladly allow me to be a sport pilot.
Seems messed up.
Anyone able to offer any insight?

[anthonykraft]

Wish id seen this before i had to jump through all these hoops

[BuddyR]

Super, Thank you the info, When I started by build, was pushing for Light Sport, but the BasicMed is the way to go, I've been a Cessna 150 pilot for 11 years. Zenith Cruzer might be done this year.

[denniswarner]

Jon, nice video. Enjoy all your videos. Keep up the good work.
Dennis

[captdave]

One can NOT fly outside the US (except in the Bahamas) with Basic Med. A Class III or higher medical is required. So Basic Med pilots can't fly in Canada or Mexico currently. This is an important distinction and should have been discussed in this video IMO.

[TigercatDesigns]

At 10:22 kittycat was getting annoyed at being ignored--good thing you were wrapping it up by then.

[crawford]

The date of last medical annoys for me personally as my last career took me to sea between 2 To 6 months out of the year. I sold my plane and gave up flying during that time. My last physical was 2004. It’s curious that particular date was used as a cut off. Why have a date at all if a basic med requires an examination?

[harpandharley]

So as a rusty pilot, I will be required to get a 3rd class medical once then I can switch to Basic Med. That's the process I have initiated and my doctor (and CFII) feels it will take about six months of jumping through hoops to get it accomplished.

[jamesbrownyt]

If I'm over 40, don't have any flying experience, and I fail a 3rd Class Medical, then I can't learn to fly any vehicle for the rest of my life?