--- title: "BasicMed vs Third Class Medical 2026 | A4Flight" url: https://a4flight.com/news/basicmed-renewal-and-your-medical-options description: "The FAA opened comments on BasicMed's information collection renewal in June 2026. Here's how the three medical pathways compare for GA pilots." lang: en --- Image: Sheltair pilot lounge with ramp-view window seating and the front desk (https://a4flight.com/__l5e/assets-v1/388453f7-775c-4d9d-9020-df738bd631b7/sheltair-lobby.jpg) All news (https://a4flight.com/news) FAA & regulations # BasicMed, third class, or no medical: choosing a medical path in 2026 The FAA opened comments on BasicMed's information collection renewal in June 2026. Here's how the three medical pathways compare for GA pilots. July 15, 20266 min read A4Flight Academy Photo: Sheltair Aviation, Denton (KDTO) On June 25, 2026, the FAA published a Federal Register notice inviting public comment on renewing its information collection authority for BasicMed — the alternative medical pathway used by tens of thousands of active general aviation pilots. It's a procedural renewal covering FAA Form 8700-2 (the Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist), not a policy change. But it's a good prompt to review which pathway actually fits you. ## Three pathways, plainly | Pathway | Who examines you | Typical fit | | --- | --- | --- | | Third class medical | FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) | Students planning a career track, or anyone who wants the cleanest documentation | | BasicMed | Any state-licensed physician, using the FAA checklist, plus an online medical course | Pilots who have held a valid medical since July 2006 and fly light GA aircraft | | Sport pilot (driver's license medical pathway) | Self-certification with a valid U.S. driver's license | New pilots starting out, or pilots who want to keep flying without the medical process | Image: Cirrus SR20-G2 N94RS parked beside the club hangar (https://a4flight.com/__l5e/assets-v1/7ef9c4ef-17f5-4b91-9c45-4ef680ea5c0e/IMG_1106.jpg) Cirrus SR20-G2 N94RS parked beside the club hangar Photo: A4Flight ## The practical advice we give members - If you have any complicated medical history, talk to an AME before you apply for anything. A conversation is cheap; a deferred application is expensive in time. - If you already hold a medical and just want to keep flying club aircraft, BasicMed is usually the least friction. - If you're brand new and want to be flying in weeks rather than months, sport pilot privileges under MOSAIC now open up more airframes than they used to. - Whatever you choose, keep expiration dates in one place. The A4 member portal tracks medical and certificate currency and warns you before something lapses — including before it blocks a reservation. BasicMed Medical FAA ## Sources - Skyfarer — FAA opens public comment on BasicMed renewal: https://blog.skyfareracademy.com/2026/06/25/faa-opens-public-comment-on-basicmed-renewal-heres-what-it-means-for-the-50000-pilots-using-it/ - FAA — MOSAIC program page: https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/MOSAIC ## Keep reading - Membership plans and what's included: https://a4flight.com/membership - Light sport and sport pilot training in DFW: https://a4flight.com/light-sport-aircraft-dfw - Frequently asked questions: https://a4flight.com/faq Apply now: https://a4flight.com/apply ## Structured data ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "#organization", "name": "A4Flight Academy", "alternateName": "A4Flight", "legalName": "A4Aviation LLC dba A4Flight", "url": "https://a4flight.com", "logo": "https://a4flight.com/a4logo.png", "telephone": "+1-940-432-3594", "email": "contact@a4flight.com", "sameAs": [ "https://www.instagram.com/a4flightacademy/", "https://www.facebook.com/928275637044387" ], "description": "Part 61 flight training and a flying club based at Sheltair, Denton Enterprise Airport. 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