AOPA Pilot Magazine - August 2024 - 108

FLY WITH AOPA
LEGALLY SPEAKING /
Meaningful changes
BasicMed updates in new law
FOR THOSE WANTING more from BasicMed,
your wait is almost over. On May 16,
2024, President Biden signed into law
H.R.3935, the Securing Growth and
Robust Leadership in American Aviation
Act (the Act). Part of the Act is Section
828, titled " Expansion of BasicMed. "
Among other things, Congress made
two meaningful changes to the definition
of " covered aircraft " (i.e., aircraft allowed
to be operated under the BasicMed rules).
First, Congress increased the maximum
certificated takeoff weight to " not more
than 12,500 pounds " (up from 6,000
pounds). Second, Congress increased the
number of occupants the aircraft is authorized
to carry to seven (up from six). To
correspond with this increase, Congress
modified the BasicMed operating limitations
by allowing for an extra passenger
(now six, up from five). Soon, a BasicMed
pilot will be able to operate an aircraft
up to 12,500 pounds maximum takeoff
weight and authorized for up to seven
occupants with six passengers onboard.
Operationally, nothing else has
changed. A pilot operating under
BasicMed is still limited to 250 knots or
less, 18,000 feet msl and below, and may
not fly for compensation or hire.
Even though the statute was amended
when signed by the president, the regulations
have yet to be updated. The Act
includes a mandate for the FAA to update
its regulations, but no time frame is given
for when the FAA must act. Fortunately,
there is also an " applicability " paragraph,
which requires the FAA to " apply Parts 61
and 68...in a manner reflecting the amendments
made by this section " 180 days after
Why you need EA Plus
Emergency Assistance Plus is a package of critical medical emergency and travel
assistance services, which will help get your aircraft home safely in case of an
emergency (if travelling via GA in the U.S., Canada, or Mexico). Should your aircraft
be stranded because of a medical emergency, a certificated pilot will be sent
to your aircraft and fly it back to the airport where it is stored. aopa.org/eaplus
CONTACT AOPA
ADDRESS CHANGE?
Send us your new address and
AOPA membership number:
421 Aviation Way
Frederick, Maryland 21701-4798
Fax: 301-695-2375
aopa.org
TOLL-FREE PILOT
INFORMATION CENTER
800-USA-AOPA (872-2672)
pilotassist@aopa.org
AOPA FOUNDATION
800-955-9115
aopafoundation.org
AOPA AIR SAFETY INSTITUTE
800-638-3101
airsafetyinstitute.org
108
AOPA PILOT / August 2024
AOPA CREDIT CARD
877-787-3171
aopa.org/creditcard
AIRCRAFT FINANCING
800-627-5263
finance.aopa.org
PERSONAL INSURANCE
800-USA-AOPA (872-2672)
aopa.org/membership/personal
PILOT PROTECTION
SERVICES
800-USA-AOPA (872-2672)
aopa.org/pps
TRAVEL DISCOUNTS
aopa.org/cars | aopa.org/hotels
AOPA PILOT
INFORMATION
CENTER HOURS
Do you have questions or
need information about an
aviation topic? Access the
team of aviation experts
in our Pilot Information
Center. Call 800-USA-AOPA
(872-2672) Monday through
Friday, 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Eastern time, with your
questions.
Visit aopa.org/membership
to learn about upgrading to
our higher levels of membership
with Pilot Protection
Services coverage included.
the enactment of the Act (i.e., November
12, 2024). We recommend waiting the full
180 days or until the FAA updates its regulations,
whichever occurs first.
There's also some good news for
DPEs. In section 815 of the Act, Congress
opened the door for DPEs and other pilot
examiners to utilize BasicMed to administer
practical tests and proficiency checks
" notwithstanding [FAR] 61.23(a)(3)(iv). "
The Act gives the FAA up to three years
to promulgate the corresponding rules,
but DPEs may begin using BasicMed
immediately. However, out of caution,
we encourage DPEs to consult with their
managing office before making the switch
to avoid unnecessary issues. Jeremy
Browner is an in-house attorney with
AOPA's Legal Services Plan.
aopa.org/pps
AV I AT ION F INANCE
Q What percent down
payment is typical when
financing an airplane in
the range of $100,000?
Because of the tax
implications, I would prefer
to finance an airplane as
opposed to taking money
from an IRA.
A Lenders will be looking
for a minimum down
payment of 15 percent.
Factors such as usage,
aircraft age, and aircraft
valuation may cause the
down payment percentage
to be higher.
aopafinance.org
800-62-PLANE (75263)
BY JEREMY T. BROWNER

http://www.aopa.org/pps http://www.aopa.org/eaplus http://www.aopa.org/creditcard http://finance.aopa.org http://www.aopa.org http://www.aopa.org/membership/personal http://www.aopa.org/membership http://www.aopafoundation.org http://www.aopa.org/pps http://www.aopafinance.org http://www.airsafetyinstitute.org http://www.aopa.org/cars http://www.aopa.org/hotels

AOPA Pilot Magazine - August 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - August 2024