Advisory Circular AC 68-1 Has Been Issued To Detail The New BasicMed Regulation

As is often the case when new regulations are issued, the regulation itself is supplemented by an advisory circular to explain what the regulation is all about. Such is the case with the new BasicMed regulation that has revise compliance requirements for a third class FAA medical.

Advisory circular AC 68-1 has the appearance of being the regulation itself, but it is not. Advisory circulars are not regulatory, but they do explain the regulations and set standards for how the regulation is applied.

The advisory circular (AC) describes how pilots can exercise student, recreational, and private pilot privileges in certain small aircraft without holding a current medical certificate. It outlines the required medical education course, medical requirements, and aircraft and operating restrictions that pilots must meet to act as pilot in command  for most Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 91 operations.

The AC is intended to be used as a resource for pilots exercising the privileges described in section 2307 of the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016. It is also intended to be a resource for state-licensed physicians who will be providing the required medical examination to those pilots.

It also provides information for nonprofit and not-for-profit general aviation stakeholder groups who wish to offer the required medical course. Lastly, this information may be used by state-licensed physicians who are providing a medical examination to a pilot intending to exercise this relief.

AC 68-1 is a lengthy document (35 pages) and it contains a detailed appendix regarding the required physical examination to be performed by an appropriately state-licensed medical professional. Despite its length, it is well-organized and easy-to-read. Anyone who plans on using BasicMed to comply with the alternative to receiving a third class medical should take the time to read this advisory circular. The link below is provided to direct you to a PDF of AC 68-1.

FMI: AC 68-1