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Washington, D.C. – The House Tuesday decided to allow commercial airline pilots facing mandatory retirement to keep their jobs for another five years. The Fair Treatment for Experienced Pilots Act (H.R. 4343), which would increase the pilots' retirement age from 60 to 65, was approved by a vote of 390 to 0.
“Lifting the age 60 retirement is the right thing to do,” said Rep. Tom Petri, the Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Republican and a cosponsor of H.R. 4343. “A lot has changed since the mandatory retirement age was set nearly 50 years ago, and we know that these pilots can continue to fly and safely serve the public. By raising the retirement age to 65, we will be consistent with international standards set last year, so our U.S. pilots will not be penalized. Age 60 impacts more and more pilots with each passing day, and we must act now to end the devastating effect of needless forced retirement on these men and women.”
In November 2006, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) adopted the age 65 retirement standard.
If the Senate and the President agree, H.R. 4343 will eliminate the age 60 retirement requirement, uphold stringent medical standards, and ensure that pilots continue to receive sufficient training.
The Following is Rep. Petri's Official Statement
STATEMENT OF
REP. THOMAS E. PETRI, Ranking Member
SUBCOMMITTEE ON AVIATION
FLOOR CONSIDERATION OF
H.R. 4343
"The Fair Treatment for Experienced Pilots Act"
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Since 1959, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has required commercial airline pilots to retire at age 60.
This mandatory retirement rule was initially put in place for safety reasons, although some have argued that the FAA had little scientifically-backed data in 1959 to support the safety mandate.
In any event, the “Age 60 Rule”, as it is known, soon became accepted practice.
For many years the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) also required commercial airline pilots to retire at age 60. However, in November 2006, a new ICAO standard went into effect, allowing a pilot to fly up to age 65, as long as the co-pilot is under age 60.
This change in ICAO standard resulted in an immediate double-standard.
Regardless of FAA's policy, as of November 23, 2006, foreign pilots flying into the U.S. are allowed to fly up to age 65, provided the co-pilot is age 60 or younger. Yet, U.S. pilots must retire as soon as they reach 60 years of age.
Clearly, we now have a fairness issue that must be addressed.
This new double standard has caused a groundswell of U.S. pilots close to retirement to push for a similar change to FAA standards.
In response to the change in the ICAO standard, the FAA announced that it would initiate an “Age 60” review and rulemaking process. The FAA no longer assumes that once a pilot reaches age 60 they are automatically unsafe.
All the groups involved have done excellent work to save not only their careers and the careers of their colleagues, but to keep the skies as safe as possible.
The FAA has forecasted that by 2015 the U.S. will have 1 billion passengers flying annually. We also are facing a pilot shortage in the near future.
Clearly, we must do everything we can to ensure that our most experienced pilots are able to continue to fly as long as safety is not compromised.
This legislation provides for additional medical and training requirements for pilots ages 60 through 65 to address any possible safety concerns. It is a well-thought-out bill, which evens the playing field while ensuring aviation safety.
I would like to thank the Chairman of the Full Committee, Mr. Oberstar, the Ranking Member of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, Mr. Mica, and the Chairman of the Aviation Subcommittee, Mr. Costello, for all their hard work on this long sought after legislation.
This is a good, bipartisan bill, and I encourage members to vote “yes” on H.R. 4343.
I yield back the balance of my time.
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