Bahamas Allows BasicMed

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The Bahamas is the first neighboring country to the U.S. to accept BasicMed as a medical qualification for U.S. pilots flying in its airspace. BasicMed went into effect on May 1 and allows pilots to fly up to five passengers on day or night VFR or IFR pleasure flights (not for compensation or hire) in aircraft weighing up to 6,000 pounds without a Third Class medical. But most other countries adhere to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines that require standardized medical examinations by designated doctors every two to five years, depending on the pilot’s age. Earlier this year AOPA asked Canada, Mexico and the Bahamas to accept BasicMed as a standard for visiting U.S. pilots and the Bahamas has accepted it in its entirety. Canada and Mexico have not approved BasicMed, but Canada is considering a variation of the relaxed medical regime that matches its own regulations.

Canada’s recreational pilot license does not require a formal Transport Canada medical but it does require family doctors to sign a declaration that the pilot has never been treated for any of the disqualifying conditions that civil aviation medical examiners look for. The Canadian Owners and Pilots Association has recommended Transport Canada allow BasicMed pilots to fly in Canada under the same conditions as Canadian recreational license holders. However, the Canadian license is a lot more restrictive than BasicMed. In Canada, BasicMed pilots would be limited to flying with only one passenger in an aircraft capable of holding four people or less and fly only day VFR. AOPA says it’s still working with Canada and Mexico on BasicMed acceptance.

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