CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 9 Issue 2 - 33

What's Up, Doc?

CFI TOOLS

HOW THE BASICMED COURSE CAN BE A LIFESAVER
a great tool for all pilots, not just those participating
in BasicMed-just ask the more than 30,000 pilots
who've taken it.

Interested in flying under the BasicMed rule? The Guide to
Understanding BasicMed video covers key things pilots need to
understand to get qualified to fly under the program.
MAY 1, 2018 MARKED THE ANNIVERSARY OF THIRD-CLASS MEDICAL REFORM-
BETTER KNOWN AS BASICMED. That anniversary also is a valuable reminder

to take stock of your health and renew your resolve to stay in good shape.
One great way to do this is to take the medical self-assessment online course
(airsafetyinstitute.org/medicalassessment) developed by the AOPA Air
Safety Institute. Medical Self-Assessment: A Pilot's Guide to Flying Healthy is

Are you fit to fly? Have you recently seen your
physician for a wellness checkup? When it comes
to your health and flying safely, be in charge and
proactive. The course suggests getting a medical
checkup regularly. It also offers thoughts on how to
stay healthy, how to detect signs of adverse medical
conditions, and what to do should you discover a
situation that requires medical attention. While not
a replacement for professional medical advice from
your physician, the course reviews matter-of-fact
material to help you objectively assess your condition
to fly. For example, you can explore scenarios that
guide you through several self-assessment and
decision-making processes. You'll also learn about
the complex relationship of medications and flying
and the FAA's guidance on taking medications. Did
you know that the FAA wants you to wait for at least
five times the maximum pharmacologic half-life of
the medication or, if that information is not available,
wait for at least five maximum dosing intervals to
have passed before flying? Or that drugs with no

GET A BETTER GRASP OF AEROMEDICAL MATTERS AND PHYSIOLOGY, INCLUDING RISK FACTORS OF
SIGNIFICANT MEDICAL CONDITIONS AND HOW THESE AFFECT YOUR ABILITY TO FLY. REVIEW THE
COURSE PERIODICALLY-IT'S YOUR BODY, YOUR HEALTH.

BY MACHTELD SMITH

apparent side effect on the ground can create serious
problems at even relatively low altitudes? Some overthe-counter medications may also effectively ground
you-one thing to remember is that any medication
that warns of possible impairment and to not operate
motor vehicles or machinery while taking the drug
is grounds for not flying. Again, that same maximum
dosage interval constraint applies.
If you have concerns about managing in-flight
physiological impairment, the course has a chapter
on that. But not just on what to do when there is a
problem. The course suggests things you can do to
prevent problems from arising in the first place, like
getting regular health screenings and adapting diet
and exercise to nurture a healthy body.
Get a better grasp of aeromedical matters and
physiology, including risk factors of significant
medical conditions and how these affect your ability
to fly. Review the course periodically-it's your body,
your health. Also, download the various documents
and checklists to take along in your flight bag-
especially the preflight and inflight checklists, which
can help manage your health and safety and that of
your passengers before and during every flight.
Machteld Smith is an aviation technical writer
for the Air Safety Institute. She holds a commercial
pilot certificate with multiengine, instrument, and
seaplane ratings.

http://www.airsafetyinstitute.org/medicalassessment

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 9 Issue 2