Pilots flying under the new Basic Class 2 (BC2) medical will need to inform passengers that they will be operating under a lower medical standard than that required for a private pilot.
Under enabling legislation dated 28 June and applicable from 2 July 2018, pilots will be required to tell every passenger or a guardian of every passenger that:
- the pilot does not hold a standard medical certificate required for private pilots
- the pilot holds a CASA-issued certificate for a lower medical standard and that permits use of the pilot's PPL subject to conditions
- the lower medical standard is based on a commercial drivers’ licence.
Pilots will also be required to carry their medical certificate and a statement of conditions for passengers to inspect.
The new BC2 has been introduced to enable pilots flying only simple operations to do so without requiring the Class 2 medical needed for the full privileges of a PPL. The conditions of the BC2 are:
- VFR only
- below 10,000 feet
- within Australia
- piston-engined aircraft only
- a maximum take-off weight less than 8168 kg
Flight Activity Endorsements such as aerobatics and formation flying are not permitted under BC2.
Similar to Class 1 (CPL) and Class 2 medicals, pilots wishing to operate under BC2 will need to apply to CASA for a medical certificate, which the regulator will issue only if they are satisfied the Commercial Driver's Licence standard has been met.
The full legislative instrument is available on the Federal Register of Legislation.