News for Designees and Delegations

General News

Self Reporting Arrests, Indictments, and Convictions

Notice N 8000.385, Individual Designee Obligation to Report Arrests, Indictments, and Convictions, supplements FAA Order 8000.95C, Designee Management Policy, to implement Section 408(a)(3) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, Pub. L. No. 118-63 (May 16, 2024) (the Act). Section 408(a)(3) of the Act directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to revise its orders and policies to clarify that certain individual designees of the FAA Administrator are obligated to report arrests, indictments, or convictions for violation of local, State, or Federal law within a period of time specified by the FAA Administrator. This Notice imposes this requirement on all individual designees authorized to act on behalf of the FAA Administrator and provides implementing instructions to Managing Offices.

N 8000.385

N 8000.385 Q&As

News for Designated Pilot Examiners (DPEs)

FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024: BasicMed Regulation Update, November 15, 2024

The Federal Aviation Administration met a Congressional requirement by updating its BasicMed regulations to allow pilots to operate larger aircraft and carry more passengers.
BasicMed, which took effect in 2017, allows pilots to fly without holding an FAA medical certificate provided they meet certain conditions.

The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 expanded BasicMed to:

  • Increase the number of allowable passengers to six from five, and the number of occupants to seven from six.
  • Increase the maximum aircraft takeoff weight to 12,500 lbs. from 6,000 lbs., excluding transport category helicopters.
  • Allow pilot examiners to conduct flight checks using BasicMed in aircraft that are covered by the BasicMed rule. Information for examiners is available here.

Pilots must meet specific conditions to operate under BasicMed. Among other things, they must have held a valid medical certificate at some point after July 14, 2006; the most recent medical certificate cannot have been denied, revoked, or suspended; they must complete a medical exam by a state-licensed physician; they must complete an online medical education course; and they must hold a valid U.S. driver’s license.
BasicMed also includes certain limitations. Pilots cannot fly for compensation or hire and are restricted to flying at or below 18,000 feet altitude and at a speed no greater than 250 knots.
 

News for Delegated Organizations (ODAs)

AVS ODA Office (AVS-60) ODA Webinar Presentation November 2024 — November 6, 2024 

The AVS ODA Office (AVS-60) hosted the ODA Webinar on November 6, 2024, for FAA and Industry attendees (OMT Leads and ODA Administrators). The ODA Webinar presentation and Webinar Q&As Part 1 and Part 2 are now available. If you have any questions, please email the ODA Office: 9-AVS-ODA-Office@faa.gov.

 

Last updated: Monday, April 21, 2025