The interesting thing is that "all state licensed physicians" can perform the exam. For instance, my chiropractor is a state licensed physician.
In Florida they are, including Arizona. Great resource.To clarify, chiropractors are not licensed physicians in many states, so in those states they are not eligible to do a Basic Med exam.
Here's a list... https://www.acatoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/State_physician_status_2015.pdf
There are some very valid reasons. There are some circumstances where the paperwork required for a class III is vastly burdensome, depending on condition, that simply isn't necessary with basic med.I'm curious why people use Basic Med vs just going to an AME for a 3rd class medical. The forms the doctors have to fill out is certifying the same information and I have seen some doctors don't have the exact test equipment needed (the color blindness test is very specific). The paper needs to be carried with. you. The pilot has to submit the docs to the FAA. I was going to do Basic Med and it ended up being more complicated than just going to an AME that knows what to do and has the systems to submit all of the paperwork to the FAA. I believe I read somewhere on this forum that some Insurance Companies are requiring AME medicals for renewals. It makes sense if there isn't an AME in the area, but that is the only advantage I can think of. Am I missing something?
I'm sure I am missing something, but I've always found the Class 3 pretty easy. I was looking at the 8700-2 form (https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Form/FAA_Form_8700-2_OMB_EXP_06-2026.pdf). It seems like they ask the same questions. The doctor signing off is taking the same level of responsibility as an AME, which is likely why it is challenging to find one that will sign-off. No doubt they could be sued for malpractice if they sign someone off that doesn't meet the standards. Pilots also have to take the Basic Med course, submit everything to the FAA and if they forget to bring their medical with them an FAA investigator cannot look them up online to see if they have a current medical. When I looked at doing this it seemed like it was more of a hassle than just going to an AME. Most AME's I have seen are not trying to fail people. They tend to be an advocate if someone has a disqualifying medical issue and they can provide guidance if there are questions. An AME can also help someone get though the paperwork to get their medical back. Establishing a history with an AME can be very helpful if an issue arises. They will have a baseline to compare to to help get someone back to certification.There are some very valid reasons. There are some circumstances where the paperwork required for a class III is vastly burdensome, depending on condition, that simply isn't necessary with basic med.
If you are a nervous patient (increased BP) and the FAA doctor makes one more nervous (white coat Itys) and you fail, your exam you've just lost your ticket for a minimum of 9 months. We were losing tow plane pilots left and right at my club because to fly a sailplane a 3rd class is not needed but to fly the tow plane a license is needed. If they failed a 3rd class, they could not fly their sailplane. (Once you fail a 3rd class there are some draconian consequences) So, they stopped getting their third-class ticket (Before basic med). Basic med is the best thing that's come along in our hobby in decades. A friend of mine lost his ticket because the FAA doctor thought he wanted a second class and failed one of the stricter tests needed for a second class (He applied for a third class). He couldn't fly for many months on a paperwork issue.I'm curious why people use Basic Med vs just going to an AME for a 3rd class medical. The forms the doctors have to fill out is certifying the same information and I have seen some doctors don't have the exact test equipment needed (the color blindness test is very specific). The paper needs to be carried with. you. The pilot has to submit the docs to the FAA. I was going to do Basic Med and it ended up being more complicated than just going to an AME that knows what to do and has the systems to submit all of the paperwork to the FAA. I believe I read somewhere on this forum that some Insurance Companies are requiring AME medicals for renewals. It makes sense if there isn't an AME in the area, but that is the only advantage I can think of. Am I missing something?
J Burr Ross | 3811 East Bell Road STE 107 | Maricopa | Phoenix | AZ | 85032 | (602) 368-5633 | United States | First Class | Western Pacific Region |
John Salvatore Raniolo | 20414 N. 27TH AVENUE, SUITE 375 | MARICOPA | PHOENIX | AZ | 85027 | (877) 900-0263 | United States | First Class | Western Pacific Region |
Larry Robert Sobel | 4550 E. BELL ROAD #114 | MARICOPA | PHOENIX | AZ | 85032 | (602) 996-6668 | United States | First Class | Western Pacific Region |
Rosalie E Banasiak | 12808 N BLACK CANYON HIGHWAY | MARICOPA | PHOENIX | AZ | 850290000 | (602) 375-1155 | United States | First Class | Western Pacific Region |
Deborah L Dykema | 20045 N 19TH AVE BLD 9-151 | Maricopa | Phoenix | AZ | 85027 | (602) 978-1555 | United States | First Class | Western Pacific Region |
David Lawrence Elliott | 18404 N TATUM BLVD STE 205 | MARICOPA | PHOENIX | AZ | 850320000 | (602) 971-5500 | United States | Second Class/Third Class | Western Pacific Region |
You hit the nail on the head. A 3rd class medical is easy right up to the point when you get a deferral or failure. You can’t put the genie back in the bottle once that happens.If you are a nervous patient (increased BP) and the FAA doctor makes one more nervous (white coat Itys) and you fail, your exam you've just lost your ticket for a minimum of 9 months. We were losing tow plane pilots left and right at my club because to fly a sailplane a 3rd class is not needed but to fly the tow plane a license is needed. If they failed a 3rd class, they could not fly their sailplane. (Once you fail a 3rd class there are some draconian consequences) So, they stopped getting their third-class ticket (Before basic med). Basic med is the best thing that's come along in our hobby in decades. A friend of mine lost his ticket because the FAA doctor thought he wanted a second class and failed one of the stricter tests needed for a second class (He applied for a third class). He couldn't fly for many months on a paperwork issue.
And yes, easy to look up on-line if you have a basic med certificate.
I'm curious why people use Basic Med vs just going to an AME for a 3rd class medical.
Very insightful information @dmattmul. You make valid points I wasn't considering. If an AME fails someone it is entirely different than a general MD fails someone. You don't have to submit the general MD paperwork to the feds if you don't like what is written on it. An AME is required to submit it to the feds and it is a guaranteed suspension. There is no getting a second opinion with an AME. The thing that concerns me some is that the Basic Med pilot is self-certifying. If they have a disqualifying issue like high BP and they fly anyhow they could be in a world of problems. If there is an accident the NTSB would investigate. If a preexisting medical issue surfaces the insurance company could deny the claim because the pilot did not meet the requirements to operate the plane.If you are a nervous patient (increased BP) and the FAA doctor makes one more nervous (white coat Itys) and you fail, your exam you've just lost your ticket for a minimum of 9 months. We were losing tow plane pilots left and right at my club because to fly a sailplane a 3rd class is not needed but to fly the tow plane a license is needed. If they failed a 3rd class, they could not fly their sailplane. (Once you fail a 3rd class there are some draconian consequences) So, they stopped getting their third-class ticket (Before basic med). Basic med is the best thing that's come along in our hobby in decades. A friend of mine lost his ticket because the FAA doctor thought he wanted a second class and failed one of the stricter tests needed for a second class (He applied for a third class). He couldn't fly for many months on a paperwork issue.
And yes, easy to look up on-line if you have a basic med certificate.
Great discussion! You all make very good points.Speaking for myself, I want the decision regarding my medical fitness to fly to be between me and my doctor, not between me and the bureaucratic mess that is the FAA Medical Branch. And, of course, 48 months vs 24 months.
You are in fact missing something. A hiccup in a Class 3 is potentially catastrophic. You could be done flying for many many months (at best) even if the alleged problem is trivial. You might also be required to undergo hideously expensive testing that your doctor thinks is worthless. Not so with BasicMed.I'm sure I am missing something, but I've always found the Class 3 pretty easy.
Each scenario has to be evaluated on its own merits, but in general, people wildly overestimate the circumstances under which a GA aviation insurer will deny a claim.If a preexisting medical issue surfaces the insurance company could deny the claim because the pilot did not meet the requirements to operate the plane.
+1. This is the answer. Dealing with a problem under class 3 can be a nightmare, while the same problem with basic med can be a non-event.You are in fact missing something. A hiccup in a Class 3 is potentially catastrophic. You could be done flying for many many months (at best) even if the alleged problem is trivial. You might also be required to undergo hideously expensive testing that your doctor thinks is worthless. Not so with BasicMed.
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Medical Class: Second Medical Date: 10/2023 | |||||||
MUST USE CORRECTIVE LENS(ES) TO MEET VISION STANDARDS AT ALL REQUIRED DISTANCES. | |||||||
BasicMed Course Date: 3/29/2024 BasicMed CMEC Date: 11/22/2022 | |||||||
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+1. I see zero downside to this and many potential advantages.I will see if I can do Basic Med before my medical expires.
The Basic Med form has lots of links to supporting info for the examining physician. Some are more important for the physician than others. Although the Basic Med questionnaire for the physician is comprehensive, the most import areas seemed to be related to heart health and prescription drugs. I printed out those two info items, attached them to my Basic Med form, and dropped them off at the doctor's office in advance. My doctor has done several Basic Med exams and he was very appreciative to have the supporting info for a change, especially the info on prescription drugs.Send the form in advance to your physician.
Ask in advance if the basic med form is OK with them.
Full disclosure: I use Basic Med.As others have pointed out I see absolutely zero upside benefit to getting a 3rd class from an AME, only downside.