by Donald Wood
Last updated: 10:45 AM ET, Tue February 6, 2024
The Federal Aviation Administration asked Congress to hold
off on raising the mandatory retirement age of airline pilots until after the
federal agency conducts additional research.
According to Reuters.com,
FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker sent a letter to members of the United States
government asking for more time to “conduct research and determine mitigations”
regarding elevating the mandatory retirement age for pilots to 67 from 65.
“We strongly encourage preceding that type of change with
appropriate research so that the FAA can measure any risk,” Whitaker said.
In July, the United
States House of Representatives voted in favor of a new reform measure that
would raise the mandatory age to 67, but the FAA and Transportation Secretary
Pete Buttigieg said there is no data to support the change.
“When it comes to raising the pilot retirement age, the FAA
has made clear that a scientific and safety analysis must come first,” Senator
Maria Cantwell said. “That has not happened. Aviation safety is paramount, and
now is not the time to take a shortcut.”
The aviation reform is part of the U.S. Senate Commerce
Committee’s continued efforts to pass an FAA
reauthorization bill. The original deadline was in September, but political
infighting has resulted in two temporary extensions, with the latest expiring
in March.
With the majority of international regulations requiring
pilots older than 65 to retire from service, even if the legislation were to
pass in the U.S., the crew members would be prevented from flying in most
countries.
The topic has been met with mixed reactions within the
aviation sector, with the Air Line Pilots Association saying the retirement age
change would “cause airline scheduling and pilot training issues and require
the reopening of pilot contract talks.”
On the other hand, the Regional Airline Association said
allowing older pilots to fly would improve short-term
shortages and provide mentors for the next generation of first officers.
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