What is the purpose of an approval to operate under BasicMed?

• A. It provides a pathway to fly with alternative medical criteria for eligible pilots.
• B. It is a permit to fly unmanned aerial vehicles.
• C. It is a form of pilot license replacement.
• D. It approves airline transport pilots only.

Answer: (C)

BasicMed offers an alternative way to meet medical qualifications for flying, rather than relying on the traditional FAA medical certificate. Eligible pilots can operate general aviation aircraft without a standard medical certificate by completing a one-time online medical education course and having a physician perform a BasicMed-compliant physical examination using a prescribed checklist. As long as the pilot keeps up with the required course and periodic exams and stays within the defined operating limits, they can fly in the United States under BasicMed. This does not replace the pilot certificate itself; it replaces the medical-certification path, not the license.