Story ID: 
ICAO Approves Pilots Over Age 60
By: Gordon Gilbert
Caption: The International Civil Aviation Organization adopted a “standard” to increase the upper age limit for airline pilots to 65, effective November 23.
Word Count: 121
The International Civil Aviation Organization adopted a “standard” to increase the upper age limit for airline pilots to 65, effective November 23. But the measure is limited to two-pilot crews when the other pilot is younger than 60 years of age. An ICAO “standard” is a mandatory minimum requirement and member states must notify ICAO if they are going to impose a more restrictive limit. Of 112 ICAO member countries responding to an ICAO letter, 83 percent indicated that an international age limit above 60 years would be appropriate for airline pilots. However, 16 percent–which includes the U.S.–indicated a preference to maintain the current upper age limit of 60 years, citing possible safety risks and a lack of convincing data that flying after age 60 is safe.