Posted on 12/13/2007 12:47:31 PM PST by saganite
Increasing the mandatory retirement age of airline pilots is now in the President's hands, after the Senate voted late Dec. 12 to pass a measure increasing the age from 60 to 65.
"Forcing our nation's pilots to retire at 60 is out-of-date and only succeeds in removing our most experienced pilots from our skies," said Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, D-Hawaii, chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee.
The law would change Federal Aviation Administration regulations from the 1960s, and would be in line with mandatory retirement age requirements adopted by the Civil Aviation Organization in 2006.
The FAA has indicated it plans to promulgate a rule following that precedent.
"Pilots are valued for their experience," said Rep. Robin Hayes, R-N.C. "The 60 year-old retirement law arbitrarily pushes our most seasoned pilots out the door with no regard to their true skills."
The legislation requires pilots who have reached the age of 60 to have a medical certificate renewed every six months, continue participation in FAA pilot training, and other safe guards.
Yeah, I’d hate to be the one to tell that guy he can’t fly because of his age.
There’s more to it than the old ticker and cholesterol level. Thinking slows down as you get older and the decision making process deteriorates. Personally, as a commercial pilot I’m very happy with this legislation. I will probably continue past 60 but not necessarily all the way to 65. It’s nice to have the breathing room to nail down the retirement plan.
Yeah, and the seat belt hanging out the door!!! :-)
I did a study on this 25 years or so ago, and while there are always exceptions for an argument against the 60yr mandatory retirement from the flight deck, I found that overall the regulation works well.
UAV.
According to Myth Busters, they can just have a someone on the ground tell a passenger how to switch on the automatic landing system!
They tried having non pilots land commercial airlines on last night's episode, with a NASA flight simulator standing in for he real thing. First they tried it with no guidance. Jamie didn't do too badly, I mean he got all the wreckage and bodies inside the perimeter fence of the airport. Adam was still miles away from the airport when he crashed.
With a flight instructor talking to them over the radio, Jamie landed fine, and Adam's plane was salvageable -- if the fire department was on the ball.
Afterwords the instructor showed them how to switch from the Automatic Pilot to the Automatic Landing System.
Yeah, I know what you mean. I had a hispanic pilot in his mid-20’s on a flight last month. Not only did he look too young, he also looked a lot like the guys who sit outside Home Depot.
I’m sure there are plenty of studies on both sides of the issue. The age 65 rule is already in effect in some countries and IATA has changed their guidelines. So I guess we’ll have to wait 3-5 years to see the results.
>>How about we get rid of stupid arbitrary numbers and just force them to retire when they can no longer pass a flight exam?<<
A major U.S. carrier pushed me out of the B-767 Captain’s seat at age 60 (with no retirement pay, I might add). So I guess it’s much better that I should go 6 months after I’m too old and and stupid to do the job any more? That’s what all the airlines do with the Flight Attendants - I flew with a couple that were flying when I was born. They’re afraid to kick them out because of the age discrimination laws. God forbid one of them would ever have to open an exit door in an emergency evacuation.
Only if you like flying upside down. Tough to down a vodka martini that way though.
I guess I am too conservative in this area, for at the other end of the age spectrum, some of those kids up on the flight deck look like they just got their drivers licenses ;)
Unfortunately, my wife just found out about this. Now she’ll expect me to keep working. So much for the golf game.
I haven’t told my wife yet but yeah, I feel your pain. ;^)
Damn, I didn't know that can happen. I thought all you guys have beautiful homes at the beach.
I truly am sorry about your situation. There is a great misconception about retired pilots.
"Is that a man?"
"It sure is."
My nephew flies for Delta and he would have been out in about 3 years. With the pay cuts that thet have taken and a wife that spends like a drunken fool he needs the extra 5 years!
I doubt very much that those folks meet the same flight skills as your young pilot, who probably has a four year aeronautical degree and a minimum of 1000 flight hours.
Glad to see I’m not the only wisearse on this thread.
You found a commuter pilot who can shave?
You’re lucky!
Most of the ones I’ve seen have pimples...
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