United States Senate Committee on
Commerce, Science & Transportation
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Press Releases
For Immediate Release
12/12/07
Contact: Joe Brenckle - Republican Press Office 202-224-3991
Brian Eaton w/Stevens 202-224-0445
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Congress Approves Stevens-Inouye Provision to Allow Commercial Pilots to Fly Past Age 60
HR 4343 Mirrors Language Approved as Part of the Transportation Appropriations Bill
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Senate today approved the Fair Treatment for Experienced Pilots Act (HR 4343) by unanimous consent. The bill would allow commercial airline pilots to fly until the age of 65 and is identical to 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) that was approved in September as part of the Transportation Appropriations bill (HR 3074).  The House of Representative approved the Fair Treatment for Experienced Pilots Act on December 11. The bill now proceeds to the President for his signature.
 
The Federal Aviation Administration (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. The Senate Commerce Committee also approved a provision allowing commercial pilots to fly until age 65 as part of the FAA Reauthorization bill that was passed in May of this year.  Senator Stevens has been advocating this change for many years.  
 
“Alaska and the nation are losing a number of experienced pilots every day due to the FAA’s outdated ‘Age 60’ rule,” said Senator Stevens.  “I am pleased to see that Congress has approved this provision because it is important to make sure our most senior and seasoned pilots remain in the system.”
 
The Fair Treatment for Experienced Pilots Act (HR 4343) would specifically:
 
  • Raise commercial 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 at commercial airlines 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. 
 
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December 2007 Press Releases  « November | January »   « 2006 | 2008 » 
 
19th -  Senate Approves Nominees for DOC, STB, PHMSA, USCG, and NOAA
 
19th -  Congress Approves Stevens Provision to Exempt Universal Service Fund from Antideficiency Act
 
19th -  Congress Approves Stevens Provision to Help Small Businesses in Rural America
 
19th -  Congress Approves Measure to Expand Internet and Digital Access to Minority Schools and Colleges
 
19th -  Congress Approves Stevens-Inouye Provision on IUU Fishing
 
19th -  Inouye Applauds Signing of Monumental Energy Legislation
 
19th -  Stevens Praises Historic Fuel Economy Increase Signed into Law
 
18th -  Commerce Committee Approves STB and Amtrak Nominees, USCG Promotions
 
17th -  Senate Passes Stevens Legislation to Extend Do-Not-Call Registry
 
17th -  FMCA, ATA, Teamsters among Witnesses for Truck Driver HOS Hearing
 
14th -  Commerce Committee to Hear Testimony from STB, Amtrak, PHMSA Nominees
 
14th -  Coast Guard, NOAA, GAO among Witnesses for Oil Spills Hearing
 
14th -  President Signs Stevens Bill to Allow Commercial Pilots to Fly until Age 65
 
14th -  Commerce Committee Weekly Round Up -- Dec. 10th - 14th
 
13th -  Senate Approves Landmark Legislation to Increase Fleetwide Average Fuel Efficiency 10 Miles Per Gallon Over 10 Years
 
13th -  New Date Set for Truck Driver HOS Hearing
 
13th -  Senate Approves Stevens Provision to Increase Fuel Economy
 
13th -  Senate Approves Pool and Spa Safety Act as Part of Energy Package
 
13th -  Stevens Pushes for Deployment of Broadband in Rural America
 
13th -  Inouye Applauds Senate Passage of Historic Fuel Economy Legislation
 
13th -  Inouye Introduces Bill to Correct Flawed FCC Forbearance Process
 
13th -  Inouye Calls for Transparent Regulatory Process at FCC
 
12th -  Senate Approves Changes to Age 60 Rule
 
12th -  current Press Release
 
12th -  Stevens Pushes for Updated National Runway Safety Plan
 
12th -  Commerce Committee to Hear Testimony from FAA Administrator, DOT Assist. Secretary Nominees
 
11th -  Commerce Subcommittee to Examine Oil Spill Threats
 
7th -  Commerce Committee Weekly Round Up -- Dec. 3rd - 7th
 
6th -  Stevens Urges Passage of Decency Legislation
 
5th -  Senator Hutchison Named Ranking Member of Aviation Subcommittee
 
4th -  Inouye Leads Commerce Committee Approval of Climate Change and Ocean Acidification Legislation
 
4th -  Inouye: Media Ownership Act Provides Transparency in FCC Proceedings
 
4th -  Stevens Praises Senator Lott for Leadership on Commerce Committee
 
4th -  Committee Approves Measure to Deal With Increased Ocean Acidification
 
4th -  Transportation Subcommittee to Examine Truck Driver Safety
Public Information Office: 508 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg • Washington, DC 20510-6125
Tel: 202-224-5115
Hearing Room: 253 Russell Senate Office Bldg • Washington, DC 20510-6125
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