BasicMed Has Changed and Now You're Wrong.
by Russ Still
Published
Updated
Today is Friday, November 15, 2024. This is the day that the FAA officially announced the new BasicMed rules. They became law on November 12, were officially announced today, BUT don't go into effect until Monday, November 18, when they are published in the Federal Register, a prestigious document that I'm sure is on your reading list.
I only mention this because, if you're reading this at some undetermined time in the future, it may no longer be relevant. If, however, you have either a Private, Instrument, or Commercial knowledge test coming up, I suggest you give this some consideration. And heck, it's a good story, anyway.
The BasicMed Backstory
On May 1, 2017, joyous pilots across the country welcomed the new BasicMed regulations. They allowed many pilots who previously held a valid medical, not denied or withdrawn, to fly in many scenarios without holding a valid Medical Certificate. Just some online training and a simple examination from any licensed physician. That, with a valid driver's license, and you're ready to go.
Although a primary limitation prohibited operation for compensation or hire, CFIs were still allowed to provide and charge for flight instruction under BasicMed.
Rather than go through all of the specifics, I refer you to the AOPA graphic. This does a good job of succinctly telling the story as it was in 2017. I added the green underlines to draw attention to three issues. Seats, passengers, and maximum gross weight.
On Monday, November 18, 2024, some subtle changes appear with the three mentioned issues. These are the ones that might sting you on an FAA Knowledge Test.
BasicMed Today
The primary changes to BasicMed to watch for include increases in the number of passengers you may carry, the number of seats in the aircraft, and an increase in maximum gross weight.
Regarding passengers, what was 5 in 2017 is now 6.
Regarding seats, what was 6 in 2017 is now 7.
Regarding weight, what was 6,000 pounds, is now 12,500 pounds.
Where the Knowledge Tests are concerned, be careful if you're asked about occupants. You may have no more than six passengers, but adding in the pilot, that comes to seven occupants and seven seats.
So, nothing terribly exciting for most of us, but nonetheless, things you'll need to know for any upcoming Knowledge Test.
The Latest and Greatest Knowledge Tests
Courtesy of PSI, questions about BasicMed appear on Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, and Commercial Pilot Knowledge Tests. Now that you are here, you know that the correct answers to questions about seats, occupants, passengers, and gross weight have changed.
And this is where the wheels start to come off the wagon.
The facts have changed, the Federal Register has been published, but we have no idea when they will be reflected in the PSI-curated exams. This can put you in quite a pickle. Here's a hypothetical example.
Assume that you are taking an exam on Monday November 18, 2024. You get a question like this:
Under BasicMed, what is the maximum number of passengers that may be aboard the aircraft?
a. 5
b. 6
c. 7
If you're up to speed with the changes, you answer 6. And that's correct, except in the PSI world. You answered the question correctly, but the test will still score your answer as wrong. Quite the dilemma.
We can assume that, at some point, PSI will get their questions and answers synced with Federal regulations. But when? Will it take a few days, a month, six months? No one knows. Not even the FAA.
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UPDATE - 11/22/24 |
Regarding PSI's ability to quickly update questions, here's an odd story about another test question that might surprise you.
So, What Do You Do?
Honestly, I don't know. Perhaps call PSI and ask which way you should answer the question: The old way (which, as of 11/18/24, is wrong) or the new way (which is right). At some point, they'll certainly get it updated. The problem is that we just don't know when, and I don't think they're going to tell us.
