Comments sought on an age 65 rule

On November 23 the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) will adopt an amendment to increase the age limit for airline pilots to 65, provided another crewmember pilot is under age 60. The FAA established on September 27 an Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) to recommend whether the U.S. should adopt the new ICAO standard. In response to both the ICAO amendment and the ARC, the FAA last month published a request for comments from the public about whether the FAA should adopt the ICAO standard and any issues surrounding adopting or not adopting the standard. Comments are due November 15. The current U.S. rule, adopted 47 years ago, prohibits anyone from serving as a pilot on an airplane in Part 121 operations if that person has reached his or her 60th birthday.