Basic Med and Cancer?

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RadialGal

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RadialGal
Greetings,

It's your spelling challenged pilot here with a question. My Husband was diagnosed with Multiple Myleoma about 2 years ago. He's had a sucessfull stem cell transplant and is doing much better. However you are never really "clear" of MM. He's as much in "remission" as you can be but still has to take Mx meds that are grounding (ie steroids). He never re-applied for a medical. Simply let his 1st class expire. He was a Long Haul Freight pilot. He'd like to get back into GA. From what I understand, if he can pass the physical listed for Basic Med....he should be able to hold a Basic Med. Again, never was denied a medical, just let it expire. Former line pilot looking to do some CFI'ing and perhaps DPE (he'd be perfect!). It's been a while (pre Basic Med) since I was a CFI so I'm just wondering if we are getting our hopes up for nothing.

Thanks in advance.........and sorry for any spelling mistakes!
RadialGal
 
As I understand the rules, if you have a condition that would require a deferral/special issuance for an FAA medical certificate, one would have to apply for and get a special issuance at least once before becoming eligible for BasicMed. MM would definitely get a deferment and then an SI if qualifying.
 
Speaking of spelling challenged …. It’s been awhile but I had a GA pilot in exactly the same situation as your husband, this was pre Basic Med. He was doing extremely well post transplant and his physicians felt he was as close to cured as you can be. He re-applied for his Class 3 and we sent all his reports in. Months went by, multiple phone calls and almost a year later he gets a denial letter because of his history of “malignant melanoma.” I’m not making this up. Got the Regional Office involved, his file went back to review and moved higher up the chain of command. Every time we called it was in review. Finally the pilot gave up and sold his Skyhawk. I called one last time to vent I guess, and I was told his file had been “closed.” The doc who was to review his case got promoted and left, all of their active files were simply boxed up and forgotten.

To your question, I believe the conditions requiring a one time Special Issuance for BM are cardiac, neurological and mental health. Good luck to your hubby, hope he gets back up in the air and stays healthy.
 
I stand corrected. After reading the requirements again, indeed cancer is not one of the conditions requiring a one time SI although an SI would be required for cancers other than basal cell Ca if pursuing an FAA medical. That is very practical and surprising the FAA didn’t block it….or perhaps couldn’t block it. Hopefully your husband continues in remission.
 
robin ardoin said:
As I understand the rules, if you have a condition that would require a deferral/special issuance for an FAA medical certificate, one would have to apply for and get a special issuance at least once before becoming eligible for BasicMed. MM would definitely get a deferment and then an SI if qualifying.
Click to expand...
Nope. The one-time SI is limited to:

  • Mental Health Disorders:
    • A personality disorder severe enough to have repeatedly manifested itself by overt acts.
    • A psychosis (e.g., delusions, hallucinations, or grossly bizarre behavior).
    • Bipolar disorder.
    • Substance dependence within the previous 2 years.
  • Neurological Conditions:
    • Epilepsy.
    • A disturbance of consciousness without a satisfactory medical explanation.
    • A transient loss of control of nervous system functions without a satisfactory explanation.
  • Cardiovascular Conditions:
    • Myocardial infarction (heart attack).
    • Coronary heart disease that has required treatment or, if untreated, is symptomatic or clinically significant.
    • Cardiac valve replacement.
    • Heart replacement (e.g., transplant).
 
RadialGal said:
Greetings,

It's your spelling challenged pilot here with a question. My Husband was diagnosed with Multiple Myleoma about 2 years ago. He's had a sucessfull stem cell transplant and is doing much better. However you are never really "clear" of MM. He's as much in "remission" as you can be but still has to take Mx meds that are grounding (ie steroids). He never re-applied for a medical. Simply let his 1st class expire. He was a Long Haul Freight pilot. He'd like to get back into GA. From what I understand, if he can pass the physical listed for Basic Med....he should be able to hold a Basic Med. Again, never was denied a medical, just let it expire. Former line pilot looking to do some CFI'ing and perhaps DPE (he'd be perfect!). It's been a while (pre Basic Med) since I was a CFI so I'm just wondering if we are getting our hopes up for nothing.

Thanks in advance.........and sorry for any spelling mistakes!
RadialGal
Click to expand...
If the medication is on the "do not issue" list, then no concerns with using basic med because being eligible for a medical isn't the standard. If the medication is on the "do not fly" list, then consider the interaction of the FAA's determination that the medication should not be taken while operating an aircraft with your husband's obligation to not fly if he knows he has a condition that makes it unsafe for him to operate an aircraft.
 
robin ardoin said:
As I understand the rules, if you have a condition that would require a deferral/special issuance for an FAA medical certificate, one would have to apply for and get a special issuance at least once before becoming eligible for BasicMed. MM would definitely get a deferment and then an SI if qualifying.
Click to expand...
You misunderstand

robin ardoin said:
I stand corrected. After reading the requirements again, indeed cancer is not one of the conditions requiring a one time SI although an SI would be required for cancers other than basal cell Ca if pursuing an FAA medical. That is very practical and surprising the FAA didn’t block it….or perhaps couldn’t block it. Hopefully your husband continues in remission.
Click to expand...
You still misunderstand.

To qualify for BasicMed, a person’s most recent FAA medical must have been issued after July, 2006 AND not be revoked, the person must hold a valid state-issued driver’s license, the person has to have the CMEC (exam) completed by a state licensed physician and complete the education course.

If the person reports any the following conditions since the last application for a medical, only then is a one-time SI required.


Medical Conditions Requiring One Special Issuance Before Operating under BasicMed

A mental health disorder, limited to an established medical history or clinical diagnosis of—
A personality disorder that is severe enough to have repeatedly manifested itself by overt acts;
A psychosis, defined as a case in which an individual —
Has manifested delusions, hallucinations, grossly bizarre or disorganized behavior, or other commonly accepted symptoms of psychosis; or
May reasonably be expected to manifest delusions, hallucinations, grossly bizarre or disorganized behavior, or other commonly accepted symptoms of psychosis;
A bipolar disorder; or
A substance dependence within the previous 2 years, as defined in §67.307(a)(4) of 14 Code of Federal Regulations
A neurological disorder, limited to an established medical history or clinical diagnosis of any of the following:
Epilepsy;
Disturbance of consciousness without satisfactory medical explanation of the cause; or
A transient loss of control of nervous system functions without satisfactory medical explanation of the cause.
A cardiovascular condition, limited to a one-time special issuance for each diagnosis of the following:
Myocardial infarction;
Coronary heart disease that has required treatment;
Cardiac valve replacement; or
Heart replacement.
 
TCABM said:
You misunderstand


You still misunderstand.

To qualify for BasicMed, a person’s most recent FAA medical must have been issued after July, 2006 AND not be revoked, the person must hold a valid state-issued driver’s license, the person has to have the CMEC (exam) completed by a state licensed physician and complete the education course.

If the person reports any the following conditions since the last application for a medical, only then is a one-time SI required.


Medical Conditions Requiring One Special Issuance Before Operating under BasicMed

A mental health disorder, limited to an established medical history or clinical diagnosis of—
A personality disorder that is severe enough to have repeatedly manifested itself by overt acts;
A psychosis, defined as a case in which an individual —
Has manifested delusions, hallucinations, grossly bizarre or disorganized behavior, or other commonly accepted symptoms of psychosis; or
May reasonably be expected to manifest delusions, hallucinations, grossly bizarre or disorganized behavior, or other commonly accepted symptoms of psychosis;
A bipolar disorder; or
A substance dependence within the previous 2 years, as defined in §67.307(a)(4) of 14 Code of Federal Regulations
A neurological disorder, limited to an established medical history or clinical diagnosis of any of the following:
Epilepsy;
Disturbance of consciousness without satisfactory medical explanation of the cause; or
A transient loss of control of nervous system functions without satisfactory medical explanation of the cause.
A cardiovascular condition, limited to a one-time special issuance for each diagnosis of the following:
Myocardial infarction;
Coronary heart disease that has required treatment;
Cardiac valve replacement; or
Heart replacement.
Click to expand...
Respectfully, I do understand. My second quoted post is in reference to a FAA medical, not BM. The vast majority of cancer diagnoses would require deferral and an SI for initial/renewal applications for a med certificate. I find it refreshing and surprising that it was not one of the criteria for requiring at least a ‘one time’ SI if diagnosed prior to or while flying on BM. :thumbsup:
 
RadialGal said:
Greetings,

It's your spelling challenged pilot here with a question. My Husband was diagnosed with Multiple Myleoma about 2 years ago. He's had a sucessfull stem cell transplant and is doing much better. However you are never really "clear" of MM. He's as much in "remission" as you can be but still has to take Mx meds that are grounding (ie steroids). He never re-applied for a medical. Simply let his 1st class expire. He was a Long Haul Freight pilot. He'd like to get back into GA. From what I understand, if he can pass the physical listed for Basic Med....he should be able to hold a Basic Med. Again, never was denied a medical, just let it expire. Former line pilot looking to do some CFI'ing and perhaps DPE (he'd be perfect!). It's been a while (pre Basic Med) since I was a CFI so I'm just wondering if we are getting our hopes up for nothing.

Thanks in advance.........and sorry for any spelling mistakes!
RadialGal
Click to expand...

You are correct - if he can pass the physical (and take the basic med exam) then he can get back into the right seat. Or the left one.

Reminder of 61.53 and self grounding during medical deficiencies.
 
I glad this has been answered as some of the information is confusing…self grounded nine months ago with cancer but responding to treatment and just about to post this question. Already flying BM…guess there is hope in my future.
 
Allow me to contribute my recent personal story of a multiple myeloma diagnosis - just in case it helps anyone else needing to navigate the chaotic and troubling experience of a fresh cancer diagnosis and how it affects your flying.
- I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in early March of 2025. I have the additional disadvantage of spinal bone disease that goes along with my version of this cancer.
- Per FAA guidance, I self-grounded due to the diagnosis and did not fly under my valid and current Class III FAA medical.
- I started treatments immediately and have been on a triplet drug regimen since March. My back and spine issues initially made me ineligible for a Autologous Stem Cell Transplant (ASCT). For years this has been the gold standard for MM treatment - but new drugs and procedures are getting to be highly effective such that it is not always recommended as the best path forward to remission.
- I initiated plans to sell my Arrow (that's it in my avatar photo), but was convinced by a friend to first consider BasicMed as an alternative to the FAA medical. I did not have much hope in this plan because certainly CANCER would be a disqualifying underlying condition. I was so wrong.
Here's where the good news starts...
- Over the past several months, my spinal issues from vertebrae compression fractions have healed to the point that my back pain is basically gone - without kyphoplasty procedures. My posture is a bit worse than before due to the kyphosis, but I can live with that.
- My ability to heal from bone issues has convinced my oncologist that I am eligible for an ASCT in the near future. That comes with a change to my drug regimen and introduces a quadruplet set of drugs that have some concerning side-effects that could once again cause me to self-ground.
- An ASCT procedure has definite risks, completely destroys and then rebuilds the body's auto-immune system, and takes about 100 days to fully recover. But is considered to be highly effective in getting remission and staying there for a while. I will definitely self-ground over that 100 day period. May be a good time to do an annual with my mechanic!
- Yesterday, my oncologist provided a physical exam and signed my BasicMed forms. I took the online training course and am now good to fly again!
- I am VERY conservative when it comes to my own safety and following BasicMed rules, so I have paid close attention to my drug regimens and the notes found for each drug within the AOPA's medical database of FAA meds. I'll intentionally be a bit vague here about the specific drugs I am taking (to maintain plausible deniability) - just know that I am closely assessing my ability to safely operate an aircraft as required under FAR 61.53 and FAR 91.17 with special consideration to the drugs prescribed, the potential side effects, and the waiting periods after drug administration.
So that's where I am today. Hopefully the treatments and procedures will knock this mess into remission for years to come and I can claw back some semblance of the life I knew before.
 
Yup, get a Basic Med and go fly. Glad to hear he is doing OK!
 
Been flying on BasicMed for the last couple of years now. It's awesome. And now with MOSAIC, if I ever decide to limit myself to day flying and one passenger (don't really fly with more than one passenger as it is), I can fly all the stuff I normally fly under Sport Pilot Privileges and not even need it.
 
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