Pilots flying under BasicMed will be able to travel to Mexico in their aircraft starting Dec. 10, 2019, under a policy letter signed by Mexico’s Directorate General of Civil Aeronautics Oct. 11, 2019.
In recognizing BasicMed, Mexico joins The Bahamas as a BasicMed-friendly destination. The Bahamas recognized BasicMed soon after the new form of aviation medical certification took effect in May 2017.
Today, more than 51,000 U.S. pilots are flying under BasicMed, which requires pilots who have previously passed a third-class medical exam to take an online medical education course and then go to a state-licensed physician for the required BasicMed physical exam, according to officials with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
BasicMed allows eligible pilots to fly aircraft authorized to carry up to six occupants and with a maximum certificated takeoff weight of no more than 6,000 pounds. Pilots can fly up to 250 knots indicated airspeed and up to 18,000 feet MSL.
A pilot in command operating under BasicMed must have a comprehensive medical examination using an FAA-approved medical examination checklist given by a state-licensed physician every 48 months (calculated to the exact day), AOPA officials explain. Pilots must also complete an online medical-education course every 24 calendar months (calculated to the last day of the month) and maintain records of their compliance with the requirements.
For pilots interested in learning more about BasicMed, AOPA has a number of resources under its Fit to Fly page.
AOPA and EAA are still not pushing anywhere near hard enough to get ANY FAA 3rd Class medical permitted to be issued based on simply having a valid state driver’s license, or at least on having that along with any MD’s simple sign-off endorsement. FAA is hopeless on these kinds of FAR 67 medical issues, ever since former Federal Air Surgeon Austin tried to simplify all this for the 3rd Class issuance decades ago, … but was blocked by the self interests of AMA, AMEs, and some airline company doctors. Even now, FAR 68 Basic Med is still far more complicated and restrictive than necessary, for what it really provides. AOPA and EAA have also completely abdicated making any real progress with getting FAR 68 Basic Med accepted in Canada. One still can’t even cross the border 10 miles to go to Victoria BC to visit, from Friday Harbor (a 5 minute flight) in any Part 91 ASEL Cessna or Piper. The Basic Med situation is just ridiculous, which is why the 3rd Class still needs to be simplified.