A different kind of basic med question

Chrisgoesflying

Chrisgoesflying

Pattern Altitude
PoA Supporter
Joined
Dec 7, 2018
Messages
1,902
Location
The Lone Star State
Display Name
Chrisgoesflying
Not sure if any of you would know the answer to it but I thought I'd ask before calling the FSDO. I want to get my full FAA license now that I live in the U.S. Right now, my U.S. license is based on my Canadian license and says so on it, hence I always have to carry both with me. The benefit (at least it was a benefit while I lived in Canada) is that I only need a Canadian medical to exercise the privileges of a private pilot even in the U.S. Well, that benefit is no longer a benefit because I'd have to go to Canada. Luckily, as a Canadian license holder, I don't need a flight test in order to get a standalone FAA license, all I have to do is pass a written test which I'm scheduled to take tomorrow. Once passed, I have to meet with the FSDO and do all the paperwork, which includes proof of medical. I am hoping that I could simply do the basic med. I have a U.S. driver's license and I previously had a FAA third class medical (expired about a year ago) so essentially I have all the qualifications for basic med. Having said that, I now read somewhere that, if I don't yet have a FAA license, I would need a valid third class medical first in order to obtain the FAA license and then I can go to basic med later. Is this true? I don't think it is? If it is true, what would qualify as "having a FAA license"? I do have a FAA license but it's based on my Canadian license so it's not a standalone license.
 
I don't think you need another class 3. A student pilot can fly solo and take the checkride under basicmed (if he's been a student long enough for his medical to expire), so I would think the same applies to you. Unless the Canadian license your FAA certificate is based on requires a current Canadian medical to be valid.

But, whatever opinion you get from SGOTI, you're best off contacting the FSDO and asking them.
 
Chrisgoesflying said:
...I previously had a FAA third class medical (expired about a year ago)
Click to expand...
You are good to get Basicmed.

Once you do, you can take a checkride with it. See the FAQ from the FAA, question 17 on page 5

Q17: Do student pilots need to hold a medical certificate when they go for their private pilot checkride?

A: Individuals who are new to aviation will need to get one medical certificate if they want to fly under BasicMed. After that, they can fly under BasicMed forever, as long as they fly a BasicMed-compliant aircraft and never fly for compensation or hire. Most student pilots will still hold their first medical certificate when they apply for their private pilot certificate.
Click to expand...
The regulation reference that backs this up is 14 CFR 61.113 section (i)
 
Chrisgoesflying said:
I do have a valid 3rd class Canadian medical so I'm good in that regard.
Click to expand...

Have you on or after July 14, 2006, held an FAA Class 3 or higher medical that has not been suspended or revoked? It cam be expired, just not suspended or revoked.

If yes, since then have you encountered any of the disqualifying conditions.

If no > BasicMed.
 
TCABM said:
Have you on or after July 14, 2006, held an FAA Class 3 or higher medical that has not been suspended or revoked? It cam be expired, just not suspended or revoked.

If yes, since then have you encountered any of the disqualifying conditions.

If no > BasicMed.
Click to expand...

I definitely qualify based on that and didn’t even question it until I read somewhere online that for the conversion thing, I must have a 3rd class medical. I’m sure that’s incorrect but thought i’d ask here and will also clarify with the FSDO.
 
According to AC 61-135A it does look like you need at least a third class medical.

It appears that the agreement between the U.S. and Canada that allows the conversion of pilot certificates was last updated in 2014 which was before BasicMed was implemented. Common sense would seem to indicate that BasicMed would be enough but it doesn’t look like the FAA’s procedure’s and international agreements have kept up with the regulation changes so I doubt the bureaucracy will apply common sense.

IMG_2496.png
 
Wheels said:
According to AC 61-135A it does look like you need at least a third class medical.

It appears that the agreement between the U.S. and Canada that allows the conversion of pilot certificates was last updated in 2014 which was before BasicMed was implemented. Common sense would seem to indicate that BasicMed would be enough but it doesn’t look like the FAA’s procedure’s and international agreements have kept up with the regulation changes so I doubt the bureaucracy will apply common sense.

View attachment 137935
Click to expand...
Ah crap, so I did read this correctly. I didn't see the actual regulations but I read it somewhere and was like "crap". Thanks for confirming!
 
Wheels said:
According to AC 61-135A it does look like you need at least a third class medical.

It appears that the agreement between the U.S. and Canada that allows the conversion of pilot certificates was last updated in 2014 which was before BasicMed was implemented. Common sense would seem to indicate that BasicMed would be enough but it doesn’t look like the FAA’s procedure’s and international agreements have kept up with the regulation changes so I doubt the bureaucracy will apply common sense.
Click to expand...
The only requirement for a medical stated in the AC is to have at least a 3rd class at the time of conversion. Once converted you have a FAA certificate.

After that, section 13 gives currency requirements and cites 61.23, which includes reference to operations not requiring a medical (sport or BasicMed).
 
Wheels said:
According to AC 61-135A it does look like you need at least a third class medical.
Click to expand...
An AC is not regulatory. That AC predates basicmed, at which time a class 3 was indeed required.
 
Dana said:
An AC is not regulatory. That AC predates basicmed, at which time a class 3 was indeed required.
Click to expand...
bflynn said:
The only requirement for a medical stated in the AC is to have at least a 3rd class at the time of conversion. Once converted you have a FAA certificate.

After that, section 13 gives currency requirements and cites 61.23, which includes reference to operations not requiring a medical (sport or BasicMed).
Click to expand...

Haha, really confused now. So i can do basic med? I am flying anyways already. I have my Canadian license and medical and my plane is Canada registered. I just want my standalone FAA license so i can continue adding ratings here in the US and eventually i’ll change my plane’s registration to the US.
 
Chrisgoesflying said:
Haha, really confused now. So i can do basic med?
Click to expand...

Have you (since July 2006) been issued you an FAA Third Class (or higher) medical certificate?

I’m curious what the FAA airman registry shows for your medical and medical date.

Whether BasicMed can be used to satisfy a requirement for a pilot certificate conversion is a whole other story.
 
I'd go have a discussion with the FSDO. You've held a 3rd class that expired a year ago, you're good from that standpoint for basicmed. The FSDO will probably accept that for the conversion. They might make you redo the 3rd class.

Just be aware that after you let your Canadian medical lapse and you're flying on basicmed, you can't fly in Canada anymore.
 
TCABM said:
Have you (since July 2006) been issued you an FAA Third Class (or higher) medical certificate?

I’m curious what the FAA airman registry shows for your medical and medical date.

Whether BasicMed can be used to satisfy a requirement for a pilot certificate conversion is a whole other story.
Click to expand...

I held an FFA 3rd class from 2019 to 2024.
 
Chrisgoesflying said:
I held an FFA 3rd class from 2019 to 2024.
Click to expand...

That gets you BasicMed. I don’t think it meets the TCCA to FAA certificate conversion, though.

The good news is you can exercise a privileges under either a third class or BasicMed while both are valid.
 
Talked to someone i know at a FSDO. He said 3rd class medical required for Canadian conversion. AC was updated in 2024 and still says 3rd class medical required. Oh well. My Canadian 3rd class is good for another year so I’ll hold off until that one is closer to expiration and I’m closer to 40 but not there yet to take advantage of a 5 year medical one last time.
 
Old Thread: Hello . There have been no replies in this thread for 365 days.
Content in this thread may no longer be relevant.
Perhaps it would be better to start a new thread instead.
Back
Top