WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Senate today approved a provision sponsored by Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) to allow commercial airline pilots to fly until age 65. The measure was added to the Transportation Appropriations bill which passed by a vote of 88 to 7. A similar provision was approved by the Senate Commerce Committee on May 16, 2007 as part of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill. The FAA announced earlier this year that it would begin a rulemaking process to raise the retirement age of commercial pilots to age 65. Since 1960, FAA regulations have specified that commercial airline pilots must retire upon reaching 60 years of age.

“Alaska and the nation are losing a number of experienced pilots every day due to the outdated FAA Age 60 rule,” said Senator Stevens. “It is important we change the rule as soon as possible to make sure our most senior and seasoned pilots remain in the system.”

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For Immediate Release September 12th, 2007

SENATE APPROVES STEVENS-INOUYE PROVISION TO ALLOW COMMERCIAL PILOTS TO FLY PAST AGE 60 Similar Provision Was Approved by Commerce Committee as Part of FAA Reauthorization Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Senate today approved a provision sponsored by Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) to allow commercial airline pilots to fly until age 65. The measure was added to the Transportation Appropriations bill which passed by a vote of 88 to 7. A similar provision was approved by the Senate Commerce Committee on May 16, 2007 as part of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill. The FAA announced earlier this year that it would begin a rulemaking process to raise the retirement age of commercial pilots to age 65. Since 1960, FAA regulations have specified that commercial airline pilots must retire upon reaching 60 years of age. “Alaska and the nation are losing a number of experienced pilots every day due to the outdated FAA Age 60 rule,” said Senator Stevens. “It is important we change the rule as soon as possible to make sure our most senior and seasoned pilots remain in the system.” Senator Stevens’ provision would specifically: raise airline pilot retirement age to 65; sunset the age 60 rule and require the FAA to implement the new retirement standard immediately upon enactment; allow both pilot and co-pilot to be up to 65 years old for domestic operations; subject international flights to the international standard that the pilot can be over 60 if the co-pilot is 60 or under; allow companies and unions to work out compliance issues regarding pensions and benefits; and require GAO to issue a report on the impact of this provision on aviation safety within 24 months.