I guess that means the FAA should drop the mandatory retirement age to 58 IMMEDIATELY!!!! :eek:

Zia was one of the good guys. A quiet professional.

Of course we all are sad and send our condolences to the family.


However, I think this puts a huge thorn in the side of the age 60 issue. Other people were attacked for bringing up this issue over such a tragic event, but the truth is that this would be the same as bringing up "There are going to be a lot of furloughs" after an article about 9/11 is posted.

I think administratior Blakley, and all members of congress who are involved in the age 60 issue are going to have to consider this as a reason NOT to change the retirement age. You might be able to argue that there is no huge corralation between accidents from pilots older than 55 and younger than 55 (I think you are downright wrong about that too), but there is absolutely no way you can argue that death's in the cockpit do not increase with age. I guarentee you they do

We've had pilots in their 40's forced into medical retirement by cancer. I guess the FAA should just lower the mandatory retirement age to 40.

Jeez, every day we live we are one day closer to death! Should we not let people over 55 drive cars either? Ah, you know what, screw it! Why not just shoot everyone over 55 and let the snotnosed 18 year olds rule the world. After all, they are soooo much better at everything.:rolleyes: From what I gather, experience means nothing anymore. You kids think we should all just step aside from EVERYTHING and hand the world over to you on a silver platter.. I just wish I could talk to you when you're middle-aged, and we'll see if your perspective is still the same. I GUARANTEE you'll be singing a different tune. I can tell you from firsthand knowledge, that I've only gotten better with age at everything I do, and I'm much more confident as well. :cool:

P.S. - God rest his soul. At least maybe the family will find comfort that he died doing something he loved and it was fast and painless.

Amen there Wild. My condolences to his family - And Amen on your other comments. I once worked on a movie with a guy who was 28 years old, completely healthy, didn't do drugs, etc. and he suddenly passed away from a heart attack. I guess we shouldn't let 28 year olds fly planes either. I've known of more than a few guys (and gals) in their 30's and 40's who have suddenly had heart attacks.

I can't believe the greedy opportunistic folks who will use this man's untimely passing as an example to further their own agenda. Oh well - there is always karma.

karma
 

Like you always say, Sky, Karma is a *****. ;) Can't wait to see the responses from the young'uns of the forum. I get a strange feeling they may be silent on this one......:rolleyes:

Jim Fixx......

[QUOTE=wild4theuniform;105699]Jeez, every day we live we are one day closer to death! Should we not let people over 55 drive cars either? QUOTE]

Most heart attacks in cars don't result in the deaths of 210 passengers. Sure, there are unhealthy young people and healthy old people. I think what people are saying is medical problems NORMALLY increase with age. I was a cop and there were too many old people driving cars that should not have been. You might have seen some on the news plowing through crowds of people. We do not get better with age when it comes to flying complex aircraft. Experience is one thing, but slow reflexes and poor vision come with age. I know, I am one aging pilot. I've been flying 25 years and I have reached the downhill side of being at my physical peak. I still have 20 years to go and it will not get better. Don't be insulted by the youth's comments, they grow older everyday too. You can't put an age number on health: every pilot is different in their physical condition. It is true that MOST people get worse with age. That is just a fact of life.

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