[Peetwo]

Chalk & Cheese? - BasicMed (FAA) v Class 5 medical self-declaration (CASA)

I note there was an update to the US FAA BasicMed (Driver Licence) medical certificate: 

FAA Updates BasicMed Program

Friday, November 15, 2024

WASHINGTON – The Federal Aviation Administration updated its BasicMed regulations to allow pilots to operate larger aircraft and carry more passengers. 

BasicMed, which took effect in 2017, allows pilots to fly without holding an FAA medical certificate provided they meet certain conditions. 

The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 required the FAA to expand BasicMed to:

• Increase the number of allowable passengers to six from five, and the number of occupants to seven from six. 
  
• Increase the maximum aircraft takeoff weight to 12,500 lbs. from 6,000 lbs., excluding transport category helicopters. 
  
• Allow pilot examiners to conduct flight checks using BasicMed in aircraft that are covered by the BasicMed rule. Information for examiners is available here.
  

Pilots must meet specific conditions to operate under BasicMed. Among other things, they must have held a valid medical certificate at some point after July 14, 2006; the most recent medical certificate cannot have been denied, revoked, or suspended; they must complete a medical exam by a state-licensed physician; they must complete an online medical education course; and they must hold a valid U.S. driver’s license. 

BasicMed also includes certain limitations. Pilots cannot fly for compensation or hire and are restricted to flying at or below 18,000 feet altitude and at a speed no greater than 250 knots. 

Compare to our uniquely Australian recently introduced Class 5 self-declaration medical certificate...  :

The Class 5 medical self-declaration allows recreational and private pilots to self-assess and self-declare without requiring a medical assessment.

The pathway is for pilots seeking a recreational pilot's licence (RPL). It is also an entry point for those looking to be able to commence flight training.

The Class 5 medical self-declaration is an alternative to the current Basic Class 2 (BC2) medical certificate and Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioners Certificate (RAMPC).

Eligibility

You must:

• meet fitness and eligibility requirements
  
• complete and pass online training
  
• self-declare and operate in accordance with specified operational limitations.
  

If you are unsure of your health status, visit your health practitioner for advice before applying.

Operational limitations

Operational limitations include:

• Private operations only.
  
• Aircraft certificated maximum take-off weight must be 2000 kg or less.
  
• Must only operate under the visual flight rules (day VFR) by day (no IFR, no IMC, no night VFR).
  
• Must not operate above 10,000 feet above mean sea level.
  
• Must have no more than 2 persons on board.
  
• Must not use a CASR Part 61 operational rating. For example, instructor rating or low-level rating. For a complete list, refer to the definitions in CASR 61.010.
  
• Must not conduct aerobatics or formation flying.
  
• Must operate wholly within Australian territory.
  

Pilots can access controlled and non-controlled airspace.

Read the explanation for how the operational limitations for the Class 5 medical self-declaration were developed.

Wonder what Su_Spence and her minions know about mitigating safety risk in pilot medical certification that the US FAA doesn't?? - 

From Senate Estimates thread:

Senator ROBERTS: Thank you for appearing again. CASS has again refused to provide, in SQ24-001131, the number of times myocarditis and other conditions are mentioned in your medical records system. What are you hiding?
Ms Spence : Nothing. As we've explained before, the medical records don't allow themselves to be interrogated in the way that you've asked. But, as we have indicated previously, we have no evidence or examples of any pilot who has been impacted by a COVID vaccination in a way that has meant they weren't airworthy.  Nothing. As we've explained before, the medical records don't allow themselves to be interrogated in the way that you've asked. But, as we have indicated previously, we have no evidence or examples of any pilot who has been impacted by a COVID vaccination in a way that has meant they weren't airworthy.

MTF...P2