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FAASTeam Notice
Type: General Information
Notice Date: Friday, December 14, 2007
Notice Number: NOTC1079
InFO - President Today Signed Age 65 Into Law
This notice expired on
Thursday, February 14, 2008

Subject:

President Today Signed Age 65 Into Law, Affecting Pilots Under Part 121

Purpose:

This InFO announces the "Fair Treatment for Experienced Pilots Act" (the Act), effective immediately, December 13, 2007, and highlights key provisions of the Act.

Background:

In November, 2006, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) revised the maximum age for certain pilots in international operations from age 60 to age 65. Until 12/13/07, the United States, an ICAO member state, limited its pilots operating under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 121 to age 60. Now those pilots may continue until age 65, as specified in the Act.

Discussion:

Key provisions of the Act include the following:

• As of 12/13/07, part 121, § 121.383(c), specifying age 60, ceases to be effective.

• A pilot age 60+ acting as pilot in command (PIC) in international operations must be paired with a pilot under age 60 (consistent with the current ICAO requirement).

• In domestic operations both pilots may be age 60+.

• It permits the continued employment of a pilot who reaches age 60 on or after 12/13/07.

• It permits the employment as a new-hire a pilot who reached age 60 before 12/13/07.

• A pilot age 60+ will not be subjected to different, greater, or more frequent medical exams.

• Any pilot age 60+ must hold a first-class medical certificate, renewable on a 6-month cycle.

• Any air carrier employing pilots age 60+ must adjust its training program to ensure such pilots’ skill and judgment continue at acceptable levels.

• Any pilot age 60+ must undergo a line check at 6-month intervals.

• For a pilot age 60+ acting as second in command (SIC), a regularly scheduled simulator evaluation may substitute for a required line check.

Recommended Action:

Directors of safety, directors of operations, chief pilots, trainers, and pilots under part 121 should be aware of the Act and should collaborate immediately in implementing its provisions.

The exact language of the Act can be downloaded at the following public Web site:

http://thomas.loc.gov . In the "Search Bill Text" box click on "Bill Number," enter "HR 4343" and click Search.

An InFO contains valuable information for operators that should help them meet certain administrative, regulatory, or operational requirements with relatively low urgency or impact on safety.

For more information on this and other InFO's please go to the following URL:

http://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/info