Restrictions to be Lifted to Age 65

At long last, the FAA wants the 47-year-old retirement age raised for U.S. commercial pilots, following in the footsteps of the International Civil Aviation Organization that lifted the restriction, providing the co-pilot is under 60 in November. A notice of proposed rulemaking is expected later this year. “A pilot’s experience counts — it’s an added margin of safety,” said FAA Administrator Marion Blakey. “Foreign airlines have demonstrated that experienced pilots in good health can fly beyond age 60 without compromising safety.” The move comes after the agency, last September, formed a group of airline, labor and medical experts to recommend whether the US should adopt the new ICAO standard and determine what actions would be necessary if the FAA were to change its rule. The Age 60 Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) did not reach a consensus recommendation but did provide detailed insight and analysis that will be helpful as the FAA develops a rule. The November 29, 2006 Age 60 ARC report, appendices, and public comments are available online at http://dms.dot.gov, docket number 26139. The FAA intentions drew praise from aviation organizations including the Flight Safety Foundation which praised the agency saying it will help "with a desperate shortage of pilots in much of the world,” said FSF President William Voss, who added, “ This debate has gone on for 20 years. It is time to focus on more critical safety issues." The Air Line Pilots Association opposes the change because it would limit upward mobility for their younger members.