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VFR REGULATIONS 20 / LEARN · EXPLORE · CHECK

Medical requirements & BasicMed

Medical eligibility and flight currency are different clocks.

Checking your account…

Your learning goals

  • Apply medical certificates in context.
  • Recognize the limits and exceptions that affect this flight.
  • Explain a decision using the scenario and supporting rule.

Medical certificates in context

Private-airplane privileges generally require at least a third-class medical unless an applicable exception such as BasicMed is satisfied. Second class generally supports commercial privileges; first class supports specified airline-transport privileges. Holding a higher class does not grant a higher pilot certificate. For ordinary private privileges, a third-class medical normally lasts through the 60th month after the exam month if under 40 at examination, or the 24th if 40 or older, subject to certificate limitations.

14 CFR §61.23 · 14 CFR §61.53 · 14 CFR §61.113 · 14 CFR §68.3 · 14 CFR §68.5 · 14 CFR §68.7 · 14 CFR §68.9

BasicMed: qualify before using it

Have a valid U.S. driver’s license and comply with its medical restrictions; have held an FAA medical at some point after July 14, 2006; your latest medical cannot be suspended/revoked, latest special issuance cannot be withdrawn, and latest medical application cannot have been completed and denied. Complete the medical education course within 24 calendar months and physician examination within 48 calendar months under the current rule; retain the signed checklist and course certificate in your logbook. Some specified mental, neurological, and cardiovascular conditions require a special issuance first. Ongoing care and safe fitness still matter.

14 CFR §61.23 · 14 CFR §61.53 · 14 CFR §61.113 · 14 CFR §68.3 · 14 CFR §68.5 · 14 CFR §68.7 · 14 CFR §68.9

BasicMed: keep the flight inside its limits

  • Aircraft authorized for no more than 7 occupants; maximum takeoff weight no more than 12,500 lb; carry no more than 6 passengers; no Part 29 transport-category rotorcraft.
  • At or below 18,000 MSL and no more than 250 KIAS. These limits do not grant VFR access to Class A.
  • Within the U.S., unless the other country authorizes it.
  • Ordinary private operations are not for compensation/hire; BasicMed does not create commercial privileges. Other specifically authorized uses require their own conditions.

The older 6,000-pound / six-occupant limits are outdated. Verify the actual aircraft authorization, not just the number of seats occupied today.

14 CFR §61.23 · 14 CFR §61.53 · 14 CFR §61.113 · 14 CFR §68.3 · 14 CFR §68.5 · 14 CFR §68.7 · 14 CFR §68.9

FLIGHT SCENARIO

What would change your plan?

You hold a private certificate, valid medical, and current flight review, but have no recent passenger landings. Does medical eligibility settle passenger currency?

  1. NoticeWhat does this situation require?
  2. VerifyWhat evidence is still missing?
  3. DecideWhat keeps an option open?
Compare your reasoning

No. Check passenger experience separately. Likewise, a current flight review cannot replace a required medical basis.

SUMMARY

Medical eligibility and flight currency are different clocks.

No. Check passenger experience separately. Likewise, a current flight review cannot replace a required medical basis.

Before moving on, explain the decision in your own words: what would you verify, and what would make you change the plan?

PRACTICE

Flashcards and knowledge check

Six flashcards, then five questions with explanations.

Enable JavaScript for flashcards and the knowledge check. The lesson and scenario remain available without it.

Sources & lesson notes

Sources & lesson notes

  1. 14 CFR §61.23Verified against eCFR text current through September 15, 2026.
  2. 14 CFR §61.53Verified against eCFR text current through September 15, 2026.
  3. 14 CFR §61.113Verified against eCFR text current through September 15, 2026.
  4. 14 CFR §68.3Verified against eCFR text current through September 15, 2026.
  5. 14 CFR §68.5Verified against eCFR text current through September 15, 2026.
  6. 14 CFR §68.7Verified against eCFR text current through September 15, 2026.
  7. 14 CFR §68.9Verified against eCFR text current through September 15, 2026.
  8. FAA BasicMedCurrent eligibility and expanded aircraft/operating limits.

For U.S. private-pilot airplane study. Rules verified against eCFR text current through September 15, 2026, with linked FAA guidance. Scenarios isolate a rule; actual flight decisions require all applicable rules, aircraft limitations, and current information.