AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - July 2017 - 27

AOPA helps ensure BasicMed
info is transmitted correctly
FAR PART 68 or BasicMed-the FAA-approved third class medical reform passed by Congress
in July 2016-is in effect as of May 1, 2017. As pilots visit their doctors to complete the
Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist followed by completing the AOPA Medical
Self-Assessment online course, AOPA offers a few tips to make sure everything is in order
when submitting information to the FAA through the online course. BasicMed rules require
the user to provide some basic information about the pilot and the physician who conducted
the exam such as name, address, and telephone number; the date of the exam; and a few certifications as to the pilot's fitness to fly.
Note that the date of visit to a state-licensed physician to fill out the BasicMed checklist cannot have occurred before April 24. The FAA will not accept any exams before that
date because the required Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist that the physician needs to sign was not released until that day.
Pilots cannot use the last date of their first, second, or third class medical, even if it is still
valid. Pilots who want to fly under BasicMed must complete the Comprehensive Medical
Examination Checklist and online aeromedical course regardless of whether their medical
certificate is expired. Also, pilots can't use the date of just any doctor visit. The physician
must follow and fill out the Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist, available in
AOPA's Fit to Fly resources online (www.aopa.org/fittofly).
Pilots who are eligible for BasicMed must have held a valid medical certificate, special
issuance or regular, on or after July 15, 2006. The most recent medical certificate or application for a medical certificate could not have been revoked, suspended, or withdrawn. In
addition, pilots must have a valid U.S. driver's license and comply with all its restrictions.
Pilots who developed certain cardiac, neurological, or mental health conditions after their
last valid medical will need to get a special issuance medical one more time.
www.aopa.org/fittofly

ACTION IN THE STATES

5,500+
The number of
course completions
for eligibility
in BasicMed
(as of May 25, 2017).

AOPA CONTINUES SUPPORT
FOR SANTA MONICA AIRPORT
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District
of Columbia Circuit denied the National
Business Aviation Association's motion to
halt an agreement between the FAA and
the city of Santa Monica, California, to
close the city's airport by 2028 while the
settlement's legality is reviewed. The court
referred the question to the judges who
will decide whether the settlement agreement was reached in accordance with law.
AOPA had previously sought recognition
by federal courts that would allow airport
users to hold the airport to its responsibilities and obligations under federal law.
www.aopa.org/pilot/santamonica

DON'T HANDICAP NY AUTHORITY,
AOPA SAYS
AOPA is working with state aviation organizations to rally opposition to legislation
pending in New York state that would
require a public referendum before the
East Hampton Airport could accept state
or federal funds for airport improvement
projects. AOPA, which has approximately
11,000 members in the Empire State,
emphasized that airport grants from the
FAA are usually based on safety needs,
and require prompt action from airport
sponsors to meet state and federal safety
standards. "This proposal is a wolf in
sheep's clothing that serves only to handicap local authority," AOPA said.
www.aopa.org/pilot/easthampton

MAINE HOSTS FIRST AVIATION
ADVOCACY DAY
AOPA and the Maine Aviation Business
Association joined together at the Maine
State House in Augusta to tell general
aviation's story at the state's first Capitol
Advocacy Day for aviation. "Airports
and local aviation industries have needs.
One way to fill those needs is by promoting aviation locally and reminding our
elected officials of what we bring to the
table-essential transportation, jobs, and
economic activity," said Sean Collins,
AOPA Eastern regional manager, who represented the association at the event.
www.aopa.org/pilot/maineday

www.aopa.org/pilot AOPA PILOT | 27

http://www.aopa.org/fittofly http://www.aopa.org/fittofly http://www.aopa.org/pilot/maineday http://www.aopa.org/pilot/santamonica http://www.aopa.org/pilot/easthampton http://www.aopa.org/pilot

AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - July 2017

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - July 2017