Senate Ups Pilot Age Limit (WhooHoo!)

Air Cargo World ^ | staff

[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"Forcing our nation's pilots to retire at 60 is out-of-date and only succeeds in removing our most experienced pilots from our skies," said Sen.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.

[QBFimi]

>>...he also looked a lot like the guys who sit outside Home Depot.<<

If they have a green card they’re just like any other ‘merican; you gotta hire them if they pass the tests.

[zipper]

Done. Age 65 is now law.

---

Statement by the Press Secretary

White House News

On Thursday, December 13, 2007, the President signed into law:

H.R. 4343, the “Fair Treatment for Experienced Pilots Act,” which raises the mandatory retirement age from 60 years to 65 years for pilots serving on commercial passenger flights within the United States.

# # #

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/12/20071213-4.html

[saganite]

Wow, that was quick! Thanks for the update.

[antiRepublicrat]

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 left out one big thing in that episode: What to do when things go wrong with the airplane.

Here only years of experience and training will save you. The advantages of youth like strength and agility don't mean so much. That's why I like my pilots to have gray hair.

[SW6906]

I took a Northworst flight to Europe last summer and I don't think ANY of the flight attendants were under the age of 50. In fact, a couple of them I would guess were pushing 60.

One in particular was overweight and had (I think) a bad hip as she was shuffling/limping up and down the aisle. She also spent a lot of time sitting in the galley. Were there an accident, you're telling me she would be able to help people? Right.

[zipper]

FAASafety.gov - General Information “InFO - President Today Signed Age 65 Into Law”

InFO - President Today Signed Age 65 Into Law
Notice Number: NOTC1079

Subject:

President Today Signed Age 65 Into Law, Affecting Pilots Under Part 121
Purpose:

This InFO announces the “Fair Treatment for Experienced Pilots Act” (the Act), effective immediately, December 13, 2007, and highlights key provisions of the Act.
Background:

In November, 2006, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) revised the maximum age for certain pilots in international operations from age 60 to age 65. Until 12/13/07, the United States, an ICAO member state, limited its pilots operating under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 121 to age 60. Now those pilots may continue until age 65, as specified in the Act.
Discussion:

Key provisions of the Act include the following:

. As of 12/13/07, part 121, § 121.383(c), specifying age 60, ceases to be effective.

. A pilot age 60+ acting as pilot in command (PIC) in international operations must be paired with a pilot under age 60 (consistent with the current ICAO requirement).

. In domestic operations both pilots may be age 60+.

. It permits the continued employment of a pilot who reaches age 60 on or after 12/13/07.

. It permits the employment as a new-hire a pilot who reached age 60 before 12/13/07.

. A pilot age 60+ will not be subjected to different, greater, or more frequent medical exams.

. Any pilot age 60+ must hold a first-class medical certificate, renewable on a 6-month cycle.

. Any air carrier employing pilots age 60+ must adjust its training program to ensure such pilots’ skill and judgment continue at acceptable levels.

. Any pilot age 60+ must undergo a line check at 6-month intervals.

. For a pilot age 60+ acting as second in command (SIC), a regularly scheduled simulator evaluation may substitute for a required line check.

Recommended Action:

Directors of safety, directors of operations, chief pilots, trainers, and pilots under part 121 should be aware of the Act and should collaborate immediately in implementing its provisions.
The exact language of the Act can be downloaded at the following public Web site:

http://thomas.loc.gov . In the “Search Bill Text” box click on “Bill Number,” enter “HR 4343” and click Search.
An InFO contains valuable information for operators that should help them meet certain administrative, regulatory, or operational requirements with relatively low urgency or impact on safety.

For more information on this and other InFO’s please go to the following URL:

http://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/info