Johnson, Roy Introduce Bill to Alleviate Pilot Shortage by Raising Mandatory Retirement Age
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Chip Roy (R-TX) introduced the “Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act” to alleviate the pilot shortage by raising the mandatory commercial pilot retirement age from 65 to 67.
“We haven’t even begun to see the worst of the pilot shortage,” said Johnson. “COVID-19 forced a lot of early retirements, and pilot recruitment is tough. I’ve heard horror stories of South Dakotans missing family weddings due to canceled flights – Americans need reliable travel options. Raising the mandatory retirement age by two years is a safe and effective way to mitigate this shortage.”
A recent study found the pilot shortage in North America is expected to reach over 12,000 pilots by 2023. Meanwhile, nearly 14,000 qualified U.S. pilots will be forced to retire over the next five years due to the federal mandatory pilot retirement age.
The mandatory retirement age for commercial airline pilots has not been raised since 2007. The Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act does not change any other provision to current law governing pilot retirements.
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A great duo to advocate on behalf of patriots
67??? Should be raised to at least 70. Commercial pilots are required to have physical examinations by an FAA Medical Examiner, including an electrocardiogram (a.k.a. ECG or EKG), on the first physical examination after age 35 and annually after age 40. Pilots are better scrutinized medically than most of the population. Thousands of private pilots are safely flying over the age of 65.
Airlines are grossly understaffed with pilots. Let those qualified continue to fly past 65 if they so choose.
That should read, Airline pilots, rather than commercial.
While it may be wise to increase the ceiling above 67, I’m convinced Dusty’s proposal – ending mandatory retirement for qualified pilots aged 66 and 67 – will make commercial flights available without denigrating passenger safety. Good work by Congressmen Johnson and Roy.
It wasn’t only early retirements that has left the commercial flying industry in straits. Mandating vaccines took many healthy pilots out of the sky from vaccine injuries and death. In addition, many left because they wanted to protect their health. Let’s be honest here.