FAA Seeks Comments on Changing Age 60 Rule

On November 23, as previously reported, 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. On September 27, FAA Administrator Marion Blakey established an Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) on the Age 60 issue. Its principal task is to recommend whether the U.S. should adopt the new ICAO standard. In response to both the ICAO amendment and the purpose of the ARC, the FAA yesterday 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, implemented 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.