Kerry Lynch stepped into the role of editor of the&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;monthly magazine in May 2022 after serving with&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;for eight years. She joined&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;in December 2014 as a senior editor covering Washington and business aviation news. She has also served on Convention News teams, including as editor of&nbsp;HAI Convention News. Lynch previously spent 25 years with Aviation Week. During her time there, she reported for and later steered&nbsp;The Weekly of Business Aviation, oversaw business aviation content on the&nbsp;Aviation Week Intelligence Network, served on the&nbsp;Show News&nbsp;staff, and held roles as the Washington columnist for&nbsp;Business &amp; Commercial Aviation&nbsp;and&nbsp;Overhaul &amp; Maintenance&nbsp;monthly magazines. In 2021 she was honored with the National Business Aviation Association Platinum Wing Award for lifetime achievement in journalism and was the 2004 recipient of the National Air Transportation Association’s Aviation Journalism Excellence Award. She also has been a recipient of an Aerospace Media Award for business aviation (2022) and NBAA Gold Wing Award (2003, 2024). Lynch graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor of arts in journalism.

Editor, AIN monthly magazine

Kerry Lynch

Marking a key victory for general aviation advocates, the U.S. FAA issued a <a href="https://www.faa.gov/news/updates/media/final_rule_faa_2016_9157.pdf">final rule</a> today that would enable certain general aviation pilots to fly without a current third-class aeromedical certificate beginning on May 1. The rule codifies a mandate that Congress passed as part of the FAA reauthorization extension last summer.


The rule, which the FAA has dubbed “BasicMed,” would apply to pilots who have a valid driver's license, obtained a third-class medical certificate within the past 10 years, fly aircraft that weigh no more than 6,000 pounds and carry no more than six people. The rule also would require that pilots undergo a medical examination by a state-licensed physician every four years, and that examination include a review of an FAA-set checklist. The pilots must also take online educational courses.


FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, detailing the rule to reporters today, said pilots could continue to opt for the traditional route of obtaining a third-class medical without the operational restrictions. “The BasicMed rule will keep our pilots safe but will simplify our regulations and keep general aviation flying affordable,” Huerta said, adding the rule is “a win for the general aviation community, and I’m happy that our FAA team has gotten it across the finish line.”


The agency will collaborate with various organizations to develop the online medical course that pilots must take, and will work with stakeholders to explain the BasicMed option, Huerta said. General aviation groups have pushed for such a rule change for years, calling it a necessary step to help bolster the pilot population.

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

FAA Rule Reforms Third-class Pilot Medical Requirement

The agency released the BasicMed rule at the direction of Congress.

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News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

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News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Rule would not apply to insulin-treated diabetes

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