Why people get class 3 medicals

[RobertGary1]

I just renewed my class 2 yesterday and mentioned to the desk staff that I bet no one bothers with class 3 anymore. In fact they said they get a lot of class 3 renewals. They said they thought it was for insurance reasons. Are some insurance companies not writing policies for BasicMed pilots?

[takair]

2 minutes ago, RobertGary1 said:

I just renewed my class 2 yesterday and mentioned to the desk staff that I bet no one bothers with class 3 anymore. In fact they said they get a lot of class 3 renewals. They said they thought it was for insurance reasons. Are some insurance companies not writing policies for BasicMed pilots?

I’ve been flying with an older guy whose insurance requires a class 3 for his two airplanes. Also requires an annual proficiency check in EACH airplane. For most of my flying I only need class 3 or basic med, but every so often I get an opportunity to exercise my commercial and I think it would be easier to renew to class 2 from a class 3 than from basic med. I generally get a class 2 but let it lapse to 3 for 1 year and renew it as a 2 for the reasons above. 

[EricJ]

6 minutes ago, RobertGary1 said:

I just renewed my class 2 yesterday and mentioned to the desk staff that I bet no one bothers with class 3 anymore. In fact they said they get a lot of class 3 renewals. They said they thought it was for insurance reasons. Are some insurance companies not writing policies for BasicMed pilots?

Also, if you fly things over 6000 lbs, have more than 6 seats, or have a reason to fly over 18k feet, then BasicMed is insufficient.

[kortopates]

I see very few Basic Meds compared to Class 3 as an instructor. Besides everyone has to start with a Class 3. But my plane knows no borders (till recently you needed a Class three for Mexico) and its till required further south of Mexico and as well as required to fly in Class A airspace.

[rbp]

my experience having let my Class 3 lapse due to illness (and learning to fly gliders!), and then having to go through the special issuance process, is that if you can fly under Part 68 (basic med) instead of under Part 67 (FAA Medical), you can save your selves huge amounts of money, time, and effort. Basic Med can be done in an an hour.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-68

[rbp]

2 minutes ago, kortopates said:

I see very few Basic Meds compared to Class 3 as an instructor. Besides everyone has to start with a Class 3. But my plane knows no borders (till recently you needed a Class three for Mexico) and its till required further south of Mexico and as well as required to fly in Class A airspace.

Mexico no longer requires Class 3, nor does Bahamas.

Canada still requires Class 3 as well

 

[jaylw314]

24 minutes ago, kortopates said:

I see very few Basic Meds compared to Class 3 as an instructor. Besides everyone has to start with a Class 3. But my plane knows no borders (till recently you needed a Class three for Mexico) and its till required further south of Mexico and as well as required to fly in Class A airspace.

You might get more BasicMed students with your instrument pilots (or people like me who took 10 years to get their PPL)

[PeteMc]

This summer at the KSFF AOPA Hangout Mark Baker and Doc Blue discussed it a little.  AOPA has the data that shows there's no difference in Basic Med vs. 3rd Class Medicals in any instance that would/should change your insurance risk.  It appears to be total BS on the insurance companies just trying to gouge prices and AOPA was trying to get meetings with the main players to call them on it.

Obviously they have the numbers too.  So it will just be a matter if AOPA calling them on it has any impact.

 

[WaynePierce]

You HAVE to get one. I had mine for a number of years then developed a small case of Colo-Rectal Cancer. This was before BasicMed was a thing and I got one SI with no problems, the next time up I would have either had to get another SI with very expensive tests that were no longer covered by my health insurance because I was cured. Lucky for me that is the year BasicMed was signed and I was one of the first and am on my second BasicMed update. I am working on my IR but I have no desire to fly in the flight levels and my current ride will most likely be my last (unless I downgrade to something just to get me over the Smokeys from TN to NC to see grand-kids). Today I read where we will be able to log Safety Pilot time as well, in the very near future.

[kortopates]

What we really need is recognition by ICAO of a Basic Med certificate; then it would be universal.

[Sabremech]

I tried to get BasicMed and none of my doctors will do it. They would on their own but the system they work for had told them absolutely not. That was just another part of me getting out of owning and now flying. 
David

[Fly Boomer]

1 minute ago, Sabremech said:

I tried to get BasicMed and none of my doctors will do it. They would on their own but the system they work for had told them absolutely not. That was just another part of me getting out of owning and now flying. 
David

Response from docs is all over the map.  I had this long-winded explanation prepared for my GP, but she read the blurb from AOPA, and said "no problem".

[EricJ]

9 minutes ago, Fly Boomer said:

Response from docs is all over the map.  I had this long-winded explanation prepared for my GP, but she read the blurb from AOPA, and said "no problem".

My doc read the physician's declaration part and the "exercise medical discretion" wording and was fine with it.

It seems to me to be worded specifically to not place much burden on the physician in order to lower barriers to participation.  

[Pinecone]

28 minutes ago, Sabremech said:

I tried to get BasicMed and none of my doctors will do it. They would on their own but the system they work for had told them absolutely not. That was just another part of me getting out of owning and now flying. 
David

Many people have gone to a doc in the box that does Commercial Driver's License med exams.

 

[Pinecone]

25 minutes ago, Fly Boomer said:

Response from docs is all over the map.  I had this long-winded explanation prepared for my GP, but she read the blurb from AOPA, and said "no problem".

Same here.  My PCP does my Basic Med and SCCA med without any problems.

And I get an complete physical every year, so it is just bit of extra paperwork.

[Hank]

18 minutes ago, Pinecone said:

Many people have gone to a doc in the box that does Commercial Driver's License med exams.

 

I use a local Urgent Care. Twenty minutes, $65, good to go for four more years.

[rbp]

2 hours ago, Fly Boomer said:

Response from docs is all over the map.  I had this long-winded explanation prepared for my GP, but she read the blurb from AOPA, and said "no problem".

same

[PT20J]

Once Canada gets on board, I’ll go basic med.

[amillet]

I just made an appointment with my PCP who has agreed to do the basic med exam.

[Sabremech]

9 hours ago, Pinecone said:

Many people have gone to a doc in the box that does Commercial Driver's License med exams.

 

I’ve thought about retuning to flying and it’s just not in me anymore. The fun factor has been killed by the cost. I’ve returned to old muscle cars and am having a blast. 

[T. Peterson]

3 hours ago, Sabremech said:

I’ve thought about retuning to flying and it’s just not in me anymore. The fun factor has been killed by the cost. I’ve returned to old muscle cars and am having a blast. 

I completely understand. GA is constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. From oil leaks that 3 shops couldn’t fix to concerns over the impending UL100 debacle it makes for a frustrating owner experience. However when one has family spread all over the country it sure beats pounding down the freeway. If my flying was recreational I would sell the plane yesterday.

[DCarlton]

I still get a Class III.  I haven't attempted to find a doctor that's willing to support Basic Med.  I trust a doctor that's a pilot offering Class IIIs over a doctor that has nothing invested in aviation to keep me flying.  I also don't understand why any doctor that's a non pilot would want the liability of basic med without a legal review.  Also still don't understand the advantage unless you live in a remote part of the country and can't get a physical any other way.  Always wiling to listen and learn.  What problem did we solve with Basic Med? 

[Rwsavory]

25 minutes ago, DCarlton said:

 What problem did we solve with Basic Med? 

The standards under Basic Med are more lenient that Class 3, and issuance is not directly reviewable by the FAA. Also fewer medical exams are required. Any state licensed physician qualifies, including chiropractors and nurse practitioners. I found a doctor whose practice is mainly commercial driver exams, and he was more thorough than my last Class 3 exam.

[toto]

6 minutes ago, DCarlton said:

Also still don't understand the advantage unless you live in a remote part of the country and can't get a physical any other way.

(Privacy) There's something a little bit uncomfortable about sending personal medical information to the government, and one advantage of BasicMed is that you're working with a doctor of your choice, who shares no medical information with any third party, and submits nothing to the government.  

(Health) Aside from the privacy benefits, the argument for BasicMed is that your PCP will understand your overall health much better than someone who sees you only at renewal time, and will be in a much better position to determine your fitness for flight.

(Duration) For anyone with a two-year third class, it also doubles the length of the medical.  But it's actually a year shorter than a third class for those with a five-year medical.

[EricJ]

1 hour ago, DCarlton said:

What problem did we solve with Basic Med? 

A lot of people that would have otherwise been grounded or had to jump through expensive special issuance or SODA hoops for a long time are still flying legally.