GROUNDING A NEEDED ASSET
Apr 18, 2003
Author: Steve Forbes

(Excerpt from Forbes Magazine "Fact and Comment" By Steve Forbes, Editor-in-Chief, January 10, 2000)
GROUNDING A NEEDED ASSET
UNLESS THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION COMES UP with compelling reasons not to, it should raise the mandatory retirement age for pilots flying our commercial aircraft. The age of 60 was chosen by the FAA in 1959. Since then, obviously, longevity has made enormous strides. Japan has raised its mandatory pilot retirement age to 63 and most European countries and Israel have raised theirs to 65.

Studies show that, if anything, older, more experienced pilots have fewer accidents than do younger ones. There is certainly no increase in the accident rate for scheduled air carrier pilots as they approach age 60. Captains must undergo rigorous physical exams every six months and competency exams annually.

FAA data finds older hands are steadier
The current cap of 60 puts pressure on military jet pilots to bail out of the armed services earlier than they might otherwise do because of a fear that their lifetime earnings with a carrier will be unnecessarily limited. Raise the commercial pilot retirement age and military pilots might spend a few more years in the services. Given the growing shortage of experienced jet pilots, the FAA should move quickly on this issue. If it doesn't, Congress should force it to do so.

ION COMMITTEE (UNDER