Pilots allege favoritism in age-60 exemption petition

Ten pilots acting together have petitioned the FAA to allow airmen to fly as PICs under Part 121 after reaching age 60. The petitioners allege that the age-60 rule has no safety basis and was originally adopted as an act of favoritism, and continues to be supported by the FAA as an “economic favor to the airline industry.” The petitioners further allege that the FAA has intentionally misrepresented the justification for the age-60 rule and “does not take into consideration that performance and medical checks would eliminate at-risk pilots.” Many petitions for age-60 exemptions have been filed over the years, all of which the FAA has rejected.