Module MOD-01 · 6 min · ACS PA.I.A

Medical Eligibility: Medical Certificates and BasicMed

← Becoming a Private Pilotdraft — pending CFI review

Why this matters in flight: You must be medically eligible before you fly solo, and sorting this out early prevents a surprise that could ground you partway through training. Knowing the difference between a medical certificate and BasicMed lets you plan the least burdensome legal path.

Medical certificates come in three classes — first, second, and third — with first being the most demanding and third the least. To exercise private pilot privileges you generally need at least a third-class medical certificate, issued after an exam by an aviation medical examiner. BasicMed is an alternative for many private-type operations. To fly under BasicMed you must have held a valid FAA medical certificate at some point after July 14, 2006. The recurring requirements are then twofold: complete the FAA online BasicMed medical course every 24 calendar months, and get a comprehensive medical exam with a state-licensed physician using the FAA-provided checklist every 48 months. BasicMed carries operating limits: the aircraft must have a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 6,000 pounds or less and carry no more than six occupants (six occupants including the pilot); flight must be at or below 18,000 feet MSL and no faster than 250 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS); the operation may not be for compensation or hire; and flight must be within the United States, since flying to a foreign country requires that country's authorization. Deciding between a third-class medical and BasicMed depends on your health history and the flying you intend to do.

Key terms

Aviation medical examiner (AME)
A physician authorized by the FAA to conduct medical certificate exams.
Third-class medical
The medical certificate class generally required for private pilot privileges.
BasicMed
An alternative to a medical certificate with a physician exam, online course, and operating limits.

Summary

A third-class medical certificate is the usual requirement for private pilots, while BasicMed offers an alternative with a physician exam, an online course, and specific aircraft and altitude limits.

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What class of medical certificate is generally required to exercise private pilot privileges?

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Sources

Every claim traces to a source — paraphrased knowledge elements pointing at the governing FAA publication; not yet verified against a retrieved source.

  • 14 CFR 61.23 / 67 — 14 CFR Part 61 — Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors unverified
  • 14 CFR 68 (BasicMed) — 14 CFR Part 61 — Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors unverified

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