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House Republican to introduce bill to raise pilot retirement age
Republican Rep. Chip Roy will introduce legislation Tuesday that would raise the federal mandatory retirement age for airline pilots by two years in an effort to keep more aviators in the cockpit amid a pilot shortage plaguing commercial carriers. (www.foxbusiness.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
Back when the change from 60 to 65 was proposed, there was wild speculation about aircraft falling from the sky as the old pilots dropped dead at the controls. Hasn’t happened. In fact, air safety has radically improved during the ensuing period. Seems most of the accidents are caused by young pilots who don’t know what they are doing or are crazy. Think Germanwings, China Eastern, AF 447,Pakistani etc etc. One of the first cases of a pilot dying at the controls AFTER the age change was a Continental 757 on the way to MEX. The Captain who died was on his IOE flight. He was 55. The check airman, who saved the day, was 61.
You sir have Classic SDS
There are lots of older pilots flying jets well past 70 in the part 135, or 91K world. These age restrictions are connected to part 121 and I suspect are subject to union concerns about seniority and career advancement.
It would be interesting to study "pilot aging issues" experienced by large operators like NetJets which has pilots over 80 flying PIC.
It would be interesting to study "pilot aging issues" experienced by large operators like NetJets which has pilots over 80 flying PIC.
I flew 91k with pilots in their late 60's and a few into their 70s. Outside of one former USAF F4 driver who was sharp as a tack they all required much closer supervision than the younger Captains. When the other pilot (FO) is highly experienced and competent it's not a huge issue, but as companies/airlines have to start hiring lower time/less experienced folks it could become a problem. I heard NJA was lobbying the FAA to bring the same 121 retirement age to 135, and there was even talk of making it a company policy since it hasn't come to pass federally. Heck, I've flown with a few 121 pilots in their late 50's/early 60's who said they could see the effects of age creeping in, and that was just the ones willing/able to admit it.
Even 67 is too young if the pilot can pass a physical and meets all other requirements. Go to annual, semi-annual or quarterly exams if it makes people feel better about them. But given current lifespans, 70 sound more reasonable to me. Besides, isn't there another pilot in the cockpit just in case?
Yes, hopefully the FO has an ATP and they do not relax the rules on that.
Yep...
Pity the same rules don't apply to Congress and the Administration.