AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2017 - 42

PILOT BRIEFING

FIT TO FLY

|

BasicMed to save pilots,
FAA millions
FAA analysis projects $67.7 million savings in first decade
BY DAN NAMOWITZ

APPLY NOW FOR
AOPA'S FLEXIBLE
AVIATION LOAN
DO YOU WANT QUICK & EASY?
Fill out a quick online application and be approved
in one business day.

DO YOU WANT AFFORDABLE?
A $10,000 flight training loan with monthly
payments as low as $169 a month. AOPA Member
rates range from 7.74%-12.99% with terms up to
84 months.

DO YOU WANT FLEXIBILITY?
You can borrow as little as you need or as much as
$100,000.

DO YOU WANT TO IMPROVE YOUR
AIRPLANE?
AOPA's Flexible Aviation Loan can also be used to
pay for your annual, an engine overhaul, a new
paint job, an updated panel, an interior
refurbishment, hangar
repairs or other aviation expenses.

THE FAA'S new BasicMed program that
soon will allow many pilots to fly without
a current third class medical certificate is
expected to save pilots and the FAA millions of dollars over the first 10 years,
according to an agency economic analysis.
Between the rule's effective date of
May 1, 2017, and 2026, the net benefit of
the rule-expressed as reduced medical
certification costs balanced against costs
of implementing BasicMed-is projected to
be $67.7 million, according to a regulatory
evaluation by the Office of Aviation Policy
and Plans, Economic Analysis Division.
"We have always believed third class
medical reform would have significant
savings for both pilots and the FAA, and
this analysis confirms that belief," said
David Oord, AOPA senior director of regulatory affairs. "Those savings can now be
spent on modernizing the existing fleet,
advanced training and certificates, and
hopefully, more flying."

The analysis estimated that BasicMed
will reduce costs by about $382.9 million
through the elimination of time spent
by pilots completing medical applications, traveling to medical examinations,
and the cost of the exams. The savings
include an estimate of the cost burden
of special issuance medical certificates
and follow-up examinations, and direct
savings to the FAA of approximately $1.8
million.
The $382.9 million in savings would
be offset by $315.1 million in costs
incurred for physical examinations of
participating pilots by a state-licensed
physician every 48 months under
BasicMed; the medical education course
pilots must complete every 24 calendar months; and an increase in National
Driver Register checks on pilots under
the age of 40.
EMAIL dan.namowitz@aopa.org

AT A GLANCE
Medical reform highlights

Go to

Aircraft specifications: Up to six seats, up to 6,000 pounds (no limitations on
horsepower, number of engines, or gear type)

aopa.org/financemytraining

Flight rules: Day or night, VFR or IFR

to apply today.

Passengers: Up to five passengers
Aeromedical factors: Pilots must take a free online course every two years
and visit their personal physician every four years

AOPA's Flexible Aviation Loan can be put
to work right now to get you on your way as
a better trained, more proficient pilot.

Altitude restriction: Up to 18,000 feet msl
Airspeed limitation: 250 knots indicated airspeed
Pilot limitation: Cannot operate for compensation or hire
Learn more about BasicMed in AOPA's Fit to Fly resources section (www.aopa.org/
FittoFly).
42 | AOPA PILOT April 2017
http://www.aopa.org/financemytraining http://www.aopa.org/FittoFly http://www.aopa.org/FittoFly
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2017
