This is interesting. Looking forward to seeing how it plays out for us.

https://www.faa.gov/news/updates/?newsId=87125

http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/FA ... 312-1.html

The "4-page" form referred to that must be completed and signed by the pilot and his physician? Well, the only example (a draft version) I could find was actually 8 pages long... Sure would like to see the final version, which one would THINK would be available, since this is the "Final Rule" we're reading... I was specifically looking for the exact wording of the statement the physician must sign. The most recent "draft" version I found was still pretty disappointing to me.

I'm specifically concerned about the wording of the physician's attestation to the fact that the "person being examined" has no conditions that would preclude them from being able to fly safely (my paraphrase). Sounds like ammunition for liability attorneys to come after the physician if the pilot happens to become incapacitated in flight. AMEs providing flight physicals are extended specific protection from these types of lawsuits in their appointment as AME representing the government's interests, but the "state-licensed physician" will not fall under that provision. I'm concerned that most "group practice physicians" will be told by their attorneys to refuse to sign the forms. If so, once that precedent is set, the solo practitioners and small partnerships will follow their lead, and that will be the end of it. I was hoping the final rule version would have "friendlier" wording for that statement the physician must sign... Still hoping, but fully expecting to have to keep getting Class 3 physicals...

From the AC that was released:



I'm not a lawyer, but declaring that they are not aware of any conditions seems much softer than declaring there are no conditions that could interfere with operating an aircraft.

I move that they strike out the last sentence in that paragraph.
Do I hear a second?

As I recall, signing off on an exam & discussion of medical issues was the original proposal,
NOT certifying fit for flight.

I know there is at least one MD on this forum. Perhaps an opinion form one of the people who would actually have to sign this form will be of value.

Also, perhaps some of our military veterans here can run this past their VA doctor and ask whether that doctor would (or would be able to) sign off on the form as shown.

My personal jury is still out.

The form would not pose me any anxiety, but I've been an AME for 20 years.

I would imagine if a pilot has a good relationship with a doctor they have known for years and is is half decent shape the form would not be a problem.

As a pilot I consider the legislation better than nothing but a far cry from the driver's license medical we originally bargined for.

Also it remains to be seen if a pilot without a medical is insurable, early indications are no.

Also it looks like a pilot without a medical is not allowed in Canada. That's important to all of us, especially those in the most northern states.

I have a question about whether we can continue to get a medical since I fly in Canada a lot.
Ron

I spoke with Avemco today regarding another matter and this came up. Their position at this time as related to me by the underwriter is that under this rule you do have a medical defined by the FAA as a "Basic Medical". This may be better than a drivers license only medical requirement if the Canadian's find it meets their requirements. He also stated that they do not expect there to be any difference in insurance premium rates between a Basic Medical and any other class of medical. I stated that for example they charge the same for aircraft that qualify for light sport regardless if operated by a pilot with or without a medical.

Currently for me the one issue that I can see is that my primary medical care for the last 15 years or so is administered by a state licensed physician:s assistant under a licensed doctor rather than the doctor him or herself. So if the actual examination must be done by a state licensed doctor the person most familiar with my health and any treatment I am receiving would not be determining my fitness to fly. Then again it may not present a problem at all. Just a reality of modern medicine. . .

Tim

Moss farmer wrote:I have a question about whether we can continue to get a medical since I fly in Canada a lot.
Ron

Yes, third class medical will still be issued. A new student pilot will have to complete at least one third class medical before operating under BasicMed. Anyone who hasn't held a medical in the last ten years will have to get a third class before going to this, and anyone with "certain conditions" specified in the AC will still have to get a special issuance medical.

MTV

EAA Insurance Solutions: Aircraft Insurance and Medical Reform A-OK!
EAA Insurance Solutions: Aircraft Insurance and Medical Reform A-OK!
By Bob Mackey, Senior VP, EAA Insurance Solutions administered by Falcon Insurance Agency, Inc.
January 12, 2017 - Finally! Medical reform for pilots is going to happen and being able to obtain aircraft insurance will not be a problem.
As a result of the new final rule published by FAA and dubbed BasicMed, if you are a pilot and you held a valid FAA Medical in the 10 years preceding July 15, 2016, you may not be required to obtain another FAA Medical. Needless to say, this is great news that we have all been waiting a long time to see.
What could go wrong? There are other stakeholders in the community of personal aviation, including insurance companies, who provide legal and financial protection from certain risks for pilots whether they are flying an aircraft they own or do not own. How will insurance companies respond to BasicMed?
Insurance companies within the aviation communities have always established their own standards when it comes to pilots and medicals. As an example, prior to BasicMed, some insurance companies required annual medicals for senior pilots flying certain aircraft (e.g.,  high performance, 6-place aircraft). In other situations, insurance companies have stipulated that pilots with certain medical waivers obtain additional medical tests above and beyond that required by the FAA. These are exceptions and do not come up very often. It is very likely, even with medical reform in those rare situations where the pilot is “older” (an undefined term), and the aircraft is high-performance and/or configured with six or more total seats, the insurance company may require either an annual FAA medical and/or annual FAA medical and an annual flight review or recurrent training.
After the advent of the sport pilot rules, insurance companies needed to examine their insurance policies to determine if their policy language required any changes. What almost all of the insurance companies found was that their policies did not require any modifications. The reason was the policies already stated that the pilot must hold the certificates, ratings, and medical required for the aircraft being flown (i.e., if the aircraft was sport pilot eligible the insurance policy did not require any alterations).
The aviation insurance professionals at EAA Insurance Solutions administered by Falcon Insurance Agency, Inc., contacted all of the insurance companies who underwrite aircraft insurance through the independent insurance agency and brokerage community and we found 100 percent of these insurance companies support the new FAA medical reform and they also did not anticipate any change in their underwriting approach to pilots flying owned or non-owned aircraft that will no longer require an FAA medical. That having been said, we recommend that pilots check with their agent to make sure their insurance coverage will not be affected if they choose to fly under the new BasicMed.
If you have any other questions on how the FAA BasicMed program will impact aircraft insurance, you may contact EAA Insurance Solutions administered by Falcon Insurance Agency, Inc. One of our aviation insurance professional will be more than happy to help you. You may reach us at www.EAA.org/insurance or call us at 866-647-4322 (4EAA). Whatever you do, make sure your aircraft insurance fits. With EAA Insurance Solutions you will find the right insurance at the best price!
Bob Mackey is senior vice president with Falcon Insurance Agency, the official administrators of EAA Insurance Solutions. If you have any comments about this article or if would like to see a specific aviation insurance topic addressed in a future article, send him an e-mail.