Moving to Basic Med with an existing SI

[Matthew]

I’m sure I’ve asked this already, but I couldn’t find it anywhere.

Current situation:

1) Class III medical that has to be renewed in Nov 2026 (>40 yo)
2) Sleep apnea SI that needs status reports in Nov 2025 and forces my medical to say “not valid after Nov 2025”
3) SI authorization letter that’s good until Nov 2028 (I think…I don’t have it handy right now.)

I have been renewing in-office with my AME on my non-exam years. I bring in my SI reports and documents and walk out with a fresh medical with one more year on it.

I’m finally going to Basic Medical and have some questions about the timing.

I want to make sure I don’t do something dumb that gets FAA to think I violated my SI somehow.

Do I get Basic Medical, then fly Class III (and also have Basic Med as a backup) until Nov 2025 and then walk away from FAA Medical?

Do I get Basic Medical, renew my annual SI in Nov 2025 so I have until Nov 2026 when I need another Class III exam and THEN walk away?

I’ve heard the recommendation to “go Basic Medical and let your medical expire”, but I have 2 dates. One is the annual SI, and the other is the Class III. If I don’t refresh that SI, my medical is not valid but it isn’t really expired either, is it?

 

[bbchien]

This:
"Get Basic Medical, then fly Class III (and also have Basic Med as a backup) until Nov 2025 and then walk away from FAA Medical?"
Make sure your sleep doc office has his HIPAA authority to send ANYTHING to FAA, REVOKED and ACKNOWLEGED, in writing.

 

[Matthew]

This:
"Get Basic Medical, then fly Class III (and also have Basic Med as a backup) until Nov 2025 and then walk away from FAA Medical?"
Make sure your sleep doc office has his HIPAA authority to send ANYTHING to FAA, REVOKED and ACKNOWLEGED, in writing.

Thanks.

 

[TCABM]

Thanks.

Same for your current AME.

 

[bbchien]

Same for your current AME.

But don't try that until just after the date of expiration of your current CERTIFICATE.
It's been litigated apparently in several states (I have no idea which ones) and the most recent AME of record, is considered to have a HIPAA release to the government until the certificate has timed out.