Most people reading this topic and the public information are not reading all the material. Here’s a truncated review with eleven public facts:
1. In 2016, during the ICAO General Assembly, Japan informed ICAO and the other States that they are considering an increase the CAT multi engine pilot retirement age limit to 68 under certain conditions. Japan requested ICAO’s other States do the same thing.
https://www.icao.int/Meetings/a39/Do.../wp_277_en.pdf
2. Taking into consideration the aspects mentioned above, the European Union’s European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) took the lead outsourced a research study commencing in late 2017 to evaluate if and how the increase of life expectancy is linked with the morbidity rates, and consequently the incidence and effect of age related medical conditions for pilots.
https://www.easa.europa.eu/newsroom-...imits-workshop
3. The research study was presented by the key stakeholders on March 18-19, 2019 in Cologne, Germany to more than 60 State participants. Stakeholders who cosponsored the workshop to led the worldwide effort to simultaneously increase the mandatory pilot retirement age included:
ICAO
International Air Transport Association (IATA)
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Transport Canada
Civil Aviation Safety Authority Australia (CASA)
Civil Aviation Authority New Zealand (CAA)
Civil Aviation Authority Japan (CAA)
European Society of Aviation Medicine (ESAM)
U.S. Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA)
European Cockpit Association (ECA)
European HEMS & Air Ambulance Committee (EHAC)
European Helicopter Association (EHA)
Click here to read the list of sponsors with the FAA one of the the event's stakeholders:
https://www.easa.europa.eu/sites/def...workshop_0.pdf
4. Section 3.2.2 Commercial Air Transport (CAT) pilots flying multi-pilot operations
Based on the outcome of Task 1 and 2, it was concluded that allowing pilots older than 65 years in multi- pilot CAT operations would require additional risk-mitigation measures such as specific tests to support the aeromedical decision on the applicant’s fitness on an individual basis.
We recommend keeping the age limit at 65 years as it is currently set by EASA (FCL.065; EASA, 2016). It is currently not recommended to further relax or completely abolish the 65-year.
5.
However, the study concluded that if pilots are permitted to fly past age 65 the medical study group recommended additional medical testing for pilots over age 65 to include:
A. A routine 12-lead resting ECG is recommended to identify abnormal conduction or other arrhythmogenic patterns that could increase the risk of cardiovascular incapacitation in aircrew.
B. Blood lipids and blood glucose tests to identify cardiovascular risks laboratory investigations should include total cholesterol.
C. Ophthalmologist examination.
D. Hearing examination as required in the context of the annual general aeromedical examination, a comprehensive otorhinolaryngological examination by a specialist will be required at reaching 60 years of age and once every two years thereafter.
E. A spirometry examination is required once to update the lung function.
F. Cognitive testing of flight performance in the regular mandatory License Proficiency Checks (LPC) or Operator Proficiency Checks (OPC). Attention should be focused on abilities to function under highly stressful demands, such as high time pressure.
https://www.easa.europa.eu/newsroom-...imits-workshop
6. ICAO’s Medical Examiner Working Group (MEG) meet on May 7, 2019 in Las Vegas. The group agreed on the new Flight Time Duty Limits (FDL) and Flight Time Limits (FTL) for CAT pilots over age 65, which include:
An increase in the pilot age limit above 65 for multi pilot CAT operations; however, pilots flying over age 65 will require additional risk-mitigation measures (aeromedical testing). These measures will likely include testing to support an aeromedical decision on the applicant’s fitness on an individual basis, which must be imposed. These measures could include an ophthalmologist examination, auditory or hearing testing, cardiovascular/lipid testing (bloodwork), and cognitive testing (additional checkride) for those pilots who conduct CAT flying over age 65 (for U.S. pilots these tests will be conducted in addition to FAA Class I certificate requirements).
A reduction of the maximum monthly/yearly FTL to 80% of the maximum allowed for pilots over 65 performing CAT multi pilot operations (see presentation).
https://www.icao.int/Search/pages/re...tirement%20age
Then click on ASMA-ICAO meeting, from ICAO’s website.
7. EASA was designated to take over Stakeholder lead for increasing the worldwide mandatory retirement age. During the EASA discussions, the ICAO’s Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu expressed ICAO’s gratitude for the recent work the European Agency has carried out in areas such as the extension of the age limit for commercial pilots.
https://www.unitingaviation.com/stra...rt-priorities/
8. From ICAO’s website, the Stakeholders and Advisory Body decided at their May 7, 2019 meeting on the next steps forward, which include (
see slide 30, 31, & 32):
Development of options based on the feedback from the Workshop and Medical Examiner Group (MEG), etc.
The parties will work closely with ICAO and the International Authorities on the future steps to (simultaneously) coordinate (worldwide) actions.
EASA high-level decision - Impact assessment will be consulted with EASA Advisory Bodies.
Further feedback from the advisory bodies on the way forward.
Regulatory activities in congruence with the decision.
https://www.icao.int/safety/aviation...%20Study_c.pdf
9. The parties agreed to develop a Best Intervention Strategy (BIS) by October 2019 in order to be consulted with our Advisory Bodies
finalized by the end of 2019 or the beginning of 2020.
10.
The new FAR and ICAO Annex to raise the mandatory commercial retirement age has been marked and is earmarked for approval. They will be:
14 CFR Part 121.383, Amendment HR 4343, FAA INFO 08001.
ICAO regulation will be ICAO Annex 1, Para 2.11.10.1 and ICAO Annex 1, Amendment 167.
11. On December 10, 2007, "The Fair Treatment for Experienced Pilots Act" created new legislation to permit pilots fly until they reach 65 was attached to a bill in the House of Representatives.
It took less than 48 hours for the National Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) and the bill to be approved in conference committee by both the House and Senate. The retirement age provision was originally included in a Federal Aviation Administration spending bill, but it was pulled out when the money measure got bogged down on Capitol Hill. Then on December 13, 2007, unbeknown to pilot unions and their Political Action Committees (PACs), President Bush signed the bill to raise the mandatory retirement age for commercial pilots to 65, allowing pilots to fly an additional five years.