A Question of Fairness
By Steve Jacques

In 1996, ICAO published the results of a questionnaire that the organization sent to all participating nation's government aviation authorities. The results were published in the 47-page document "Air Navigation Commission, ANC Task No. MED-7101: Upper age limit for flight crew members". The question listed below was the last one on the survey. I have provided a partial list of countries, and their responses.

Question: Do you have any other Comments on the age limit for pilots.

Australia: "The arbitrary application of an age restriction cannot be justified in today's world, despite the fact that it makes things administratively simple. The process of medical certification is a process of risk assessment and only when the risk of incapacitation for an age and health matched group exceeds the risk target should restrictions be imposed."

Canada: "One of the reasons Canada does not have an upper age limit is due to the Canadian Charter of Human Rights which prohibit discrimination based on age."

Germany: "Social Security regulations and the socio-economical condition in Germany prevent strict enforcement of the existing ICAO Annex 1 age-60-rule. An age-65-rule would not collide with the above regulations, and therefore be more acceptable in Germany."

New Zealand: "In New Zealand pilots may continue to both hold and exercise the privileges of their CPL and ATPL as long as they continue to be medically fit to Class 1 standard, hold current biennial flight reviews, and are type current (three take offs and landings in the preceding 90 days). New Zealand is of the view that the medical standards and the biennial flight review are the practical controls on the pilots ability regardless of age."

Switzerland: "As soon as the Joint Aviation Regulations - Flight Crew Licensing (JAR-FCL), to the elaboration of it Switzerland is actively participating, will be implemented, our country will fully meet the new requirements set by the JAA." (The main requirement of the JAR-FCL is the raising of pilot retirement age to 65 for all European Union nations - SJ)

United Kingdom: "In the United Kingdom, professional pilots may continue working without age limit when undertaking aerial work. However, for this they do not need a CPL or ATPL, but a license which is peculiar to the United Kingdom, i.e. a 'Basic Commercial Pilots License'. The majority of these pilots continue working as flying instructors on light aircraft. However, at age 70 they are required to undergo a cardiological review to include a treadmill exercise test. If satisfactory, continued medical certification is permissible, although this assessment is again required at age 75 and three yearly thereafter."

The United States was not listed as having answered this question. If you would like to obtain a copy of this ICAO document, write to:

International Civil Aviation Organization
Library and Archives
999 University Street
Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3C 5H7
Library Telephone: (514) 954-8207
Archives Telephone: (514) 954-6230
FAX: (514) 954-6077