FAA Medical Requirement

by | Jan 10, 2017 | All Pilots, Pilots, Student Pilots

New FAA Medical Rule

The new change to the FAA medical requirement goes into effect on May 1, 2017. This is good news for many people but not quite as hassle free as some would have hoped. The new program called BasicMed has a few things you still need to do in order to be legal to fly. It’s not as simple as just being able to fly as long as you have a drivers license, as many had hoped. It sill requires action on your part every couple of years, as well as doctor visits.

Getting Started

Once the rule takes effect, anyone that has held a valid medical certificate any time in the 10 years following July 15, 2006, will not need to get another medical certificate as long as they meet the requirements of the new rule. If you’re a new student pilot that has never had a medical certificate, then your first visit must be to an FAA examiner to get a medical certificate. After your first visit, then the new rules will take effect.

In order to remain current and qualified to fly without a medical certificate you must do an online course related to aeromedical factors within the preceding 24 months and you will also need to visit a local physician within the preceding 48 months. The physician will need to fill out paperwork that you must keep with your logbook, along with your certificate of completion for the online course.

The online course will be offered for free on the AOPA website and they will have the information you and your physician need. When that information is published we will post a link to their course. Special issuance medicals are acceptable just as any other medical, as long as you had one within the time-frame then you can use the new rules to keep current. Certain health requirements will obviously need to be met in order to qualify and should be spelled out in the online course.

Pilots that Do Not Qualify for the New Medical Rules

Pilots that fly for compensation or hire will still need to get a medical through an FAA Medical Examiner. This does not seem to be the case for flight instructors according to AC 68-1 dated 1-9-17 in section 5.2.2.2

Pilots that have been denied a medical do not qualify unless they are able to pass a medical exam and get a medical certificate first, with an FAA medical examiner. Once they are able to pass and receive a medical certificate, then they can stay current using the new rule. If your medical was suspended and then reinstated, you do not qualify unless you get a medical first.

Limitations for operating under the New Medical Rule

You cannot fly an aircraft with more than 6 seats or with more than 6 total occupants

You cannot fly any aircraft over 6000 LBS

VFR and IFR operations must be below 18,000’ MSL, and cannot exceed 250 knots

You must have a valid drivers license and it must be carried with you. If there are any limitations or restrictions on your drivers license they apply to flying also. If your license is suspended, so is your ability to fly!

For more information you can see the FAA Advisory Circular 68-1 here.

I hope this helps clarify some things for those who are anxiously waiting for the new rule to take effect!

Joe Standley

 

Student Pilot Certificate

by | Jan 15, 2016 | Student Pilots

New Student Pilot Certificate Application Process

 

Old Student Pilot CertificateAs of April 1, 2016 you will no longer be able to get your student pilot certificate from an aviation medical examiner. Instead of setting up an appointment and walking out with your student pilot certificate the same day, you can expect to wait up to 3 weeks before you get it, so be sure to plan ahead! The long wait time is because student pilot applications will now be screened by the TSA before being issued.

The new student pilot certificate application process as published in the Federal Register, requires you to apply through an FAA inspector, designated pilot examiner, airman certificate rep (from a part 141 flight school) or a flight instructor. At this time, a medical certificate is still required to fly so you will still need to see an aviation medical examiner for that.

Whoever you decide to use for the application process will be required to verify citizenship before submitting the application through the IACRA system. You would not be able to solo until you receive the student pilot certificate in the mail so be sure to apply at least a month before you think you may be ready to solo.

If you have a paper certificate now, you can still continue to use it until it expires. Once it expires and the new process is active, you will have to go through the new application process, so be sure to get your certificate before April 1, 2016 if you want to avoid the 3 week wait. The new student pilot certificate will be made of plastic and will not have an expiration date like the paper one does. The instructor will only be required to endorse the student’s logbook for solo and will no longer need to sign the certificate.

Fly Safe!

 

Student Pilot Certificate and FAA Medical

by | Jan 10, 2013 | All Pilots

Have you gotten your FAA Medical or Student Pilot Certificate yet?

UPDATE: Since this post and video were published, the FAA separated the student pilot certificate and the medical certificate. The video below is the process you will go through to get your medical certificate only. You must apply for the student pilot certificate through the IACRA website. See your instructor for details on how to fill out the application.

If you’re not aware of it, you now have to fill out your medical information online before you go to the FAA Medical examiner. In this video I will show you the steps you will take to set up an account so you can start filling out your medical form. The form will stay in the system for 60 days once you submit it.

If you have questions, there are examples to help but if you get stuck on something related to medication type your doctor will be able to fix that. Make sure you check the application for mistakes because once you submit it, you won’t be able to reopen it and may have to complete another one. When the application is finished, it will give you a confirmation number. Be sure to write this number down because you will need to bring it to your appointment with you so they can open your application.

If you are a student pilot make sure that you apply for a STUDENT PILOT CERTIFICATE. You don’t need anything higher than a 3rd class medical on your student pilot certificate because 1st class and 2nd class are for more experienced pilots. When you are done you can click on the exam summary button where you can save a PDF version on your computer or print out a copy which I believe has your confirmation number on it. Ask the examiner for a copy of the completed form for your records.

Make sure that you change the quality of the video to HD and open up to full screen so you can read everything better.

Please send any pilots you know to this website that you think may like to see this video or any other information here. I hope you enjoy it.

Joe