Originally Posted by 744ButtonPusher

So the general consensus was that WP349 is DOA but they still manage to put out a comm saying “maybe there’s a chance, we just need a little more time and lot more money “

Originally Posted by 180ToAJ

LEPF sent out the latest update.
I’m sure FSDO will post it soon.[/Let Experienced Pilots Fly

NOTAM #20

“EXPERIENCE MATTERS”



September 27, 2025

This update includes:

· Update on ICAO’s 42nd Assembly

· IFALPA’s Position

· Next Steps

**While we have yet to receive an official readout on the ICAO 42nd Assembly, which adjourns October 3, 2025, Flying magazine has published the following article:

https://www.flyingmag.com/what-diffe...etirement-age/

We have some thoughts regarding what we know at the moment. It appears during discussion in the Technical Committee of the Assembly regarding WP 349, some countries voiced their concerns regarding their own inability, or shortcomings, in aviation:

Several countries claim there is no data to support raising the age. This is not an accurate statement.



In 2007 the US raised the age from 60 to 65. That represents 17 years of data unequivocally proving that no accidents, incidents, or medical incapacitations were attributed to pilot age as a causal factor.

Furthermore, FAA Aviation Medical Examiners, and renown cardiologists, have gone on record pointing to medical data that shows there is no correlation between a pilot’s age and any health risk in cognition or incapacitation.



In fact, science shows that the preponderance of medical incapacitation for pilots rests in the 50-55 age range, and most of those cases are due to gastrointestinal issues.

History shows that no pilots over the age of 60 have been a causal factor in any incapacitation or medical deficiency. Furthermore, retired airline pilots over 65 are being hired at operations such as NetJets, and corporate flight departments, flying the same heavy-metal jets in the same airspace and airports as airliners.

The claims by some underdeveloped countries that they need more data because of (perceived) risk in “fatigue, medical standards, training, regulatory structures, etc.” is not because of the absence of these programs.

The US and all other highly developed countries already have in place Safety Management Systems that include Flight Time/Duty Time (FTDT), Fatigue Risk Mitigation Systems (FRMS), robust and comprehensive medical certification standards, and training programs that by design clearly identify risk and provide sound mitigations. ICAO supports these programs. These programs are blind to age and applied to all pilots. Within the training and medical certification programs, medical and cognitive issues, as well as technical performance, are evaluated every 6 months for medical/cognitive deficiency and every 9 months for technical/cognitive performance.

ICAO has a mantra of “No Country Left Behind”. It appears ICAO is accepting a lowering of the bar of acceptable pilot safety management systems, rather than doing the comprehensive work to “Raise the Standards of Countries that are Behind” to meet the rest of the aviation world.

**IFALPA’s (International Federation of Air Line Pilot Associations) position is simply duplicitous. IFALPA represents 10 country’s airline pilot unions that currently fly over the age of 65.

Is IFALPA stating that those country’s pilots are less safe? They need to answer this!

ALPA (Air Line Pilots Association), the largest pilot union member of IFALPA, represents half of their pilot groups (Canadian pilots) who fly over the age of 65. They need to answer the same question: Are they stating that half of their membership is unsafe?

IFALPA and ALPA cannot have it both ways. The issue is not safety. The issue is discrimination against their most qualified, experienced, senior, and seasoned aviators, in exchange for political gain of their leadership.

**We applaud IATA and their common sense and pragmatic approach to ensuring the pilot experience shortage in global aviation is addressed at ICAO.

LEPF stands ready to continue its advocacy to ensure the United States remains a leader in aviation and not beholden to the lowest denominator, nor beholden to labor unions making false safety claims at the expense of the traveling public’s highest safety standards and experienced aviators.

Senator Cruz is right, in his letter to the US president. “As one of ICAO’s largest Member States and one of the 36 members of the ICAO Council, America should lead on the international stage in support of raising, or even abolishing, the pilot retirement age. The rules should not be based on arbitrary opinions, unfounded studies, or fictitious narratives. It should be based on truth.”

As we learn more and as WP349 makes its way through ICAO, we will keep you up to date.

One final comment to ICAO and regulators around the globe: The burden of proof should be on the agencies that restrict the pilot license privileges at a certain age, to justify why they do so, because EXPERIENCE MATTERS!

In Unity,

Let Experienced Pilots Fly

Originally Posted by BlueJetDork

…and will I continue to donate

So, that is it?

Originally Posted by 744ButtonPusher

So the general consensus was that WP349 is DOA but they still manage to put out a comm saying “maybe there’s a chance, we just need a little more time and lot more money “

Originally Posted by Meme In Command

The question wasn't

"will you continue to donate?"

It was very clearly:

"how much have you donated?"

Undeniably obtuse.

Willful

Ig

No

Rance

So uncivil

Originally Posted by BlueJetDork

I guess you missed CaptainMack who chimed in right after you, with: "You know that’s not true. You’ve been asked multiple times, how much have you donated to LEPF/EPAS? And will you continue to donate to them in the future?"

Just checking and making sure everyone who said I don't answer questions has a chance to chime in!

!

Is that really it? How much I donated to EPAS and LEPF? and will I continue?!

Any others?!

!

Originally Posted by CBreezy

When we don't get our way that leads to feeling big feelings. That's perfectly okay. We hear you understand you feel sad. Just remember what we learned from our friend Daniel:

It’s okay to feel sad sometimes, little by little, you’ll feel better again

Originally Posted by BlueJetDork

I did not see a request for 'lot more money' or 'more money' from EPAS or LEFP!

Maybe, it's because they didn't!

Just maybe!

!

Originally Posted by BlueJetDork

I did not see a request for 'lot more money' or 'more money' from EPAS or LEFP!

Maybe, it's because they didn't!

Just maybe!

!