Upper age limits for pilots?

Do you know, I haven’t a clue?

Wasn’t there a seventieth celebration some while back?

For those who don’t know Capt Ions, he’s a venerable instructor at Wellesbourne Aviation, Stratford. (And the guy who took me through the latter part of my PPL training and most of my night rating too)

There’s also Rufus Heald at Exeter. A wartime Spitfire pilot still (?) instructing. I’d rather fly with these guys than many of the 2o year old hours-builder ‘instructors’

Moggy

How old is Captain Ions now, Moggs?

Ian, I don’t think your age would stop you from flying. The medical would pick up on your sanity first. (Touché)

If that is me you’re referring to, be VERY afraid!! Remember the shock you had at Legends last year? That will be nothing in comparison……..!! 😉
(Anyway Janie, I assume there is no truth in the rumour that your age is verified by carbon dating???!!! 😉 )

Date for your diary;
Wednesday 18 April 2005
Royal Aeronautical Society lecture “The Aging Pilot”.
Location: HQ Hamilton Place, London.

Ian, I don’t think your age would stop you from flying. The medical would pick up on your sanity first. (Touché)

Few weeks ago we had a chap in his early 80s go off for some aerobatics solo, he flew Hurricanes and Harvards in the 1940s. When he landed he apologised for the fact that he couldn’t stop to chat for long as he had to go and play squash!
I think he has far more ability than many younger PPL’s myself.
Don’t think age has much to do with it myself.

The easiest and cheapest way would be to use the GATSO system.

Those of us who are caught should be fined as at present, but that money would be taken off us in fees for advanced or remedial training, instead of merely filling the governments coffers as at present. This would at least fund a cadre of pro instructors with a steady income stream.

I will shortly warn myself for going off topic.

Moggy

Now retesting, the equivalent of our two-yearly flight with an instructor, that is sensible. Should do the same for cars.

Moggy[/QUOTE]
A Man after my own heart. I have always advocated re-testing after five years, although how it would be administered, God knows. Time for more civil servants methinks! 😉

Retesting in cars? That would be a disaster – I wouldn’t pass now – never mind when I’m 80. A very scary thought indeed!

Our senior group member, the original owner of the aircraft decided, off his own bat, to hang up his flying helmet last year.

He’s 83. He’s a lot fitter than many of the guys I see still flying, some in their thirties.

There actually isn’t much damage and out-of-control light aircraft can actually do (When compared with an out of control, large fast car) yet nobody thinks to enforce an upper age limit for driving.

Now retesting, the equivalent of our two-yearly flight with an instructor, that is sensible. Should do the same for cars.

Moggy

I don’t think age neceaasrily has anything to do with health of a pilot. I have read of younger airline pilots dying with heart problems and encountered people in their 80s who have been in perfect health. It should all depend on the overall health of the individual, and not purely their age.