Exciting news!
EAA STATEMENT ON FAA
RELEASE OF THIRD-CLASS MEDICAL REFORM RULE
FAA’s BasicMed will take effect on May
1, 2017
EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (January 10, 2017)
— Years of effort by EAA and AOPA culminated on Tuesday
morning as the FAA announced
regulations that will implement
the aeromedical reform law passed last July. The regulations will be published
Wednesday as a final rule, to take effect May 1, 2017. According to the
FAA, no changes have been made to the language in the law.
Because
it is final, the rule – named “BasicMed” by the FAA – will not go out for a
typical public comment period. The FAA also said it would publish an advisory
circular describing the implementation of the rule later this week.
“This
is the moment we’ve been waiting for, as the provisions of aeromedical reform
become something that pilots can now use,” said Jack J. Pelton, EAA
CEO/chairman. “EAA and AOPA worked to make this a reality through legislation
in July, and since then the most common question from our members has been,
‘When will the rule come out?’ We now have the text and will work to educate
members, pilots, and physicians about the specifics in the regulation.”
Tuesday’s
announcement finalized the highly anticipated measure that was signed into law
last July as part of an FAA funding bill. That was the ultimate success of a
long effort by EAA and AOPA to bring significant aeromedical reform to pilots
flying recreationally and eliminate the time and expense burdens on those
holding third-class medical certificates.
The
law guaranteed that pilots holding a valid third-class medical certificate
issued in the 10 years before the reform was enacted will be eligible to fly
under the new rules. New pilots and pilots whose most recent medical expired
more than 10 years prior to July 2016 will be required to get a one-time
third-class exam from an FAA-designated AME.
The
FAA was required to implement the law within 180 days of its signing, or this
Thursday (January 12). Since AirVenture 2016, FAA senior leadership has been
assuring EAA that the 180-day deadline would be met. Despite the release of the
regulations as a final rule, EAA will be reviewing the language carefully to
ensure it fully reflects the language and intent of the law.
EAA
has updated its Q&A and will
continue to update them to provide the latest information. EAA is also working
with its aeromedical and legal advisory councils to provide resources that will
help members and their personal doctors understand the provisions of the new regulations.
About EAA
EAA
embodies the spirit of aviation through the world’s most engaged community of
aviation enthusiasts. EAA’s 200,000 members and 1,000 local chapters enjoy the
fun and camaraderie of sharing their passion for flying, building and restoring
recreational aircraft. For more information on EAA and its programs, call
800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or go to www.eaa.org. For continual news updates, connect
with www.twitter.com/EAA.
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