In a Press Release issued today, the FAA announced that it will issue a formal Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) later this year proposing to raise the mandatory retirement age for U.S. commercial pilots from 60 to 65. The proposal would adopt the new International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standard that allows one pilot to be up to age 65 provided the other pilot is under age 60. That standard was adopted in November, 2006. After receiving and considering public comments, the FAA will then publish a final rule.
This announcement follows the Age 60 Aviation Rulemaking Committee’s (ARC) publication of a report in which it did not reach a consensus recommendation regarding the proposed change. However, it did provide insight and analysis that the FAA anticipates will be helpful as it develops a final rule. You can review the November 29, 2006 Age 60 ARC report, appendices, and public comments online by searching here using docket number 26139.
