Definition
The section of the Federal Aviation Regulations that establishes the requirements for BasicMed, an alternative to the traditional FAA medical certificate. Under part 68, eligible private pilots may exercise certain flying privileges by completing a medical education course and a physical examination by any state-licensed physician, rather than holding a current third-class medical certificate, provided they meet the aircraft, passenger, altitude, speed, and operational limits specified in the rule.
Plain English
The rule that lets many private pilots fly without going through an FAA medical exam, as long as they see a regular doctor, take an online course, and stay within certain limits on aircraft size, speed, altitude, and number of passengers.
Context Anchor
Seen when the Airplane Flying Handbook discusses FAA medical requirements and the rules that may allow some pilots to fly without a traditional medical certificate.
Derivation
CFR stands for Code of Federal Regulations, the official collection of U.S. federal rules. Title 14 covers Aeronautics and Space, and within it each 'part' addresses a specific topic. Part 68 was added in 2017 to create BasicMed.
Why Pilots Care
It reduces the cost and scheduling burden of medical examinations for eligible pilots while preserving legal authority to fly.
Intuition Check
Do not read “part” here as a physical part of an airplane. In 14 CFR part 68, “part” means a numbered section of federal aviation rules.
Example Sentence 1
She switched to flying under 14 CFR part 68 after her last third-class medical expired.
Example Sentence 2
During ground instruction the CFI reviewed the limits imposed by 14 CFR part 68 on carrying passengers for compensation.