Where to work after Age 60 ?

[HeliInn]

Since Age 60 will definitely hit me with my EASA license, I cannot continue my current job in Europe after the age of 60.
As I said, still some time to go but I already would like to find out about opportunities.
Where can you fly (commercial) after the Age of 60 in a single cockpit ?

Thanks,
HeliInn

[Hot_LZ]

You can still work commercially in Europe beyond the age of 60, just not CAT. There are operators who employ over 60s for Aerial Work.

LZ

[paco]

Canada - a friend of mine recently retired at 72.

You can also do multi-crew in EASA after 60, as long as the other guy is under 60.

Phil

[Fareastdriver]

If not Canada, Oz.

[HeliInn]

Thanx so far guys, Multi Pilot Operation would indeed be an option but as we have it in another threat, this is mostly IR which I don't have (yet)
How about Africa, the Middle East, Russia, China and the US ? Do they have such a crappy rule like Age60 ?

Best regards,
HeliInn

PS: The thing is, I have family in Europe who might not want to come with me :-) :-), so a part time job somewhere in Dubai or so (not too far from Europe) would do me... Maybe one or two weeks ON, then two or three weeks off per month...

[Thomas coupling]

The average male in the UK will live to 80 if he is 60 now. But his period of freedom from ill health is only 13 years from now.

[Gomer Pylot]

The US has no such rule, yet, for Part 135 operations. Only Part 121 (scheduled airline) operations have the age 60 rule.

[newfieboy]

Canada, utility work, certainly won't get bored. Friend of mine 70 and still flying a longline, fires etc.:ok:

[Heliringer]

It's good that people a suggesting Australia, Canada and other places but seriously who is going to sponsor a 60 year old?

There are heaps of well qualified pilots looking for work who are much younger.

Good luck

[HeliInn]

The 60 year old comes with a HUGE amount of experience... no need to Sponsor at all...

[Heliringer]

Well if you already have the work permits for these countries then happy days for you. The world is your oyster.

Most of us others need to be sponsored to work in foreign countries, like Canada/USA etc As it's almost impossible to gain a work permit without being sponsored by the company that will employ you.

Anyway, you obviously have it nailed. :ugh:

[inputshaft]

Wouldn't it be smarter to ask " How to work after age 60"

A couple of ideas above, multi crew or non- CAT single pilot utility work.

My vote would be to make sure you're qualified to enter the multi crew offshore world (WHEN it picks up in a few years time). That will keep you working to 65 and give you an option for sim instructor work as you get older, which the light helicopter market will never give you.

Seems smarter than chasing limited options around the world, but that's just me. I'm closer to 60 than you.

[HeliInn]

Heliringer, no, I don't have it nailed, but I see what you mean by Sponsoring.

[HeliInn]

Wouldn't it be smarter to ask " How to work after age 60"

That's right inputshaft, IR(H) is my second choice, probably easier to find a job, but I think I need to do that (IR thing) soon, not sure if it makes sense to go on a IR course with 59...

Best wishes,
HeliInn

[terminus mos]

You need to complete the IR. Without it you are limiting your prospects regardless of age. Our helicopter operator would want an IR with several renewals before submitting pilots for use on our O&G contract.

As Heliringer says, in most places, without residency and work rights, you will need a sponsor. From an O&G point of view, where Heliringer is in Australia, there are quite a few pilots who have recently been made redundant and sadly quite a few more who are about to be as the O&G industry goes into hibernation and sharing everything mode.

[malabo]

Interesting dilemma. You can either accept the stricter regulatory standard you've flown your career in and hang up the David Clarks at 60, or conclude that their age restriction is bull**** and try for another jurisdiction without the same standard. What's so hazardous about Europe that EASA had to safeguard the skies from +60 pilots? Any other regulations that you'll choose not to comply with when the time comes?

[HeliInn]

Of course Age 60 is bull****... it shows you that the whole Thing (JAR OPS, 1178/2011 etc.) are made for Airlines, and they don't give a **** about Age 60 since they are always dual cockpit...

How many accidents have there been in Europe in the last 30 years because of a single Pilot > 60 got unconscious during flight ?

[alouette]

Don't you love fixed-wing regulations in the rotary world... :mad:

[HeliInn]

Any other regulations that you'll choose not to comply with when the time comes?

And what would you do in our situation, malabo ??

:D

[topik22]

Hello,
in Poland in our HEMS company pilots with age close to 60 are sent for additonal medical checks....EASA give some exception and if You pass You can extend Your ability for single pilot CAT (like our HEMS) for 2 years...after that time once again medical check for another 2 years. LAst check is for 1 year up to 65 years old. Please verify that procedure in Your EASA land..:)
Greets
Jacek

[Bravo73]

That's right inputshaft, IR(H) is my second choice, probably easier to find a job, but I think I need to do that (IR thing) soon, not sure if it makes sense to go on a IR course with 59...

Can I point out the obvious, please?

If your intention would be to apply for an offshore, multi-crew job at the age of 55+, you would probably be the oldest co-pilot in the world. Unfortunately, I think that you would really struggle to find a position.

[Fareastdriver]

offshore, multi-crew job at the age of 55+, you would probably be the oldest co-pilot in the world

I flew with Bristow when I was 61-63 as a contract co-pilot. I was then contracted as a commander at 64.5. That stopped at EASA 65 so I got an Aus ATPL(H). I then flew as a commander for a year and then I had to get a Chinese licence at 66. I finally retired as a commander at 69 with a current first class medical.

HeliInn can't do it. No experience and doesn't know the right people.

[Bravo73]

HeliInn can't do it. No experience and doesn't know the right people.

Exactly. How many years offshore experience did you have at 61??!?

[212man]

Exactly. How many years offshore experience did you have at 61??!?

About 23 years, I would guess .... (61-38)

[allwornout]

If you think someone will fly you around the world for two weeks on two weeks off you are dreaming in Technicolour. All of Middle East including Iran follows the 60 rule. Actually in Iran you can't even fly two pilot over 60. Canada offers short term work visas for helicopter pilots, one of the only countries to do that. I've seen lots of foreigners there on fires in the summer, but you've got to go for at least 4 months. May 1 - Sept 1. Forget about Oz. They gave visas to 214B experienced guys when they first bought those machines but now hiring new expats is too much paperwork trouble. China no jobs yet unless you want to spray for two months a year on an R66 and have spray experience and the R66 rating. Any other jobs there require fluent Chinese as you are always talking to someone on the ground. IFR if you've never done it is expensive an no guarantee of a job. Have you thought about selling pizza slices from a pizza cart? Might be more profit and a lot less work.

[thechopper]

Lucky if you can tell where the industry let alone the world will be in 13 years time. Worry just about your current contract and not about the distant future/legislation.
It always pays to have a plan "B", "C" ; with "C" not being rotary related.:=:=:=:=:=

[rick1128]

Gomer,

It is now 65th birthday now. It has been that way for a few years now.

[HeliInn]

in Poland in our HEMS company pilots with age close to 60 are sent for additonal medical checks....

This sounds like part of a current "opt-out" regulation with EASA, but that will end very soon. We have the same in Germany, but it'll end in two years or so...

[skadi]

This sounds like part of a current "opt-out" regulation with EASA, but that will end very soon. We have the same in Germany, but it'll end in two years or so...

I heard, that this "opt-out" for poland is unlimited, max. age 63 ...

skadi

[Devil 49]

Many HEMS pilots are 60+ years of age in the USA.

[HeliInn]

Interesting hint skadi, I'll keep this in mind...

[Hedski]

Allwornout,

How difficult or what processes are there for the Canadian short term visa option as I've never heard of it...

[Longdog]

Hedski and others.
Canada suspended the Tempoary Foreign Workers program over a year ago after very much abuse of the program by several employers, and the feelings are that it will not be brought back with the climbing un-employment rate across Canada.
Also, there are many, and I mean many, experienced, qualified, current, and very willing Canadian pilots standing in line for work after massive layoffs this last fall and winter.
It,s a tough enviroment all over the world for Helicopter Pilots trying to find work, and Canada did not escape this downturn lightly, so I would suggest you save you time and consider trying else where.
Best of luck

[fijdor]

Exactly Londog, lots of guys looking for work over here.

JD

[muermel]

Just go to Switzerland. Funny enough the Swiss seem to see the light and have put their local authority and the Swiss Helicopter Association behind it and their exemption has been extended again to 2020.

So why exactly is it possible in Switzerland and in other countries, where aparently the same EASA rules apply, it isn't?

Helikopterpiloten dürfen länger mit Passagieren fliegen | Cockpit (http://www.cockpit.aero/rubriken/detailseite/news/helikopterpiloten-duerfen-laenger-mit-passagieren-fliegen/?no_cache=1) (in German)

Bye

[9Aplus]

Smart.... Bravo FOCA

[SASless]

I hung my spurs up at 58....had the help of my not so friendly FAA Medical Standards but then I had saved a few Dollars that were left over from my pocket change derived from long nights in the Pub.

[ShyTorque]

I hung my spurs up at 58....had the help of my not so friendly FAA Medical Standards but then I had saved a few Dollars that were left over from my pocket change derived from long nights in the Pub.

Wish I could have done the same! But I'm still allowed to fly single pilot at the age of "60 plus" because we're a private operator.

[Same again]

https://ukga.com/news/view?contentId=43587

Someone is still fighting the good fight.

[rotorsailor2]

Guess I was fortunate to join Bristow in 1977 a and flew all over the world for 35 years until Age 65. I was already working partly in the S76 C+ and ++ simulator training and checking, and continued for another 6 years until Age 71, with the last few in the D simulator (yes, you can teach an old dog new tricks with the D cockpit!). Such a rewarding career, but an IF was required early in my career. With the market today, "older, mature pilots" will find it very difficult to continue work after age 60 if you aren't already employed with a Company that has arrangements to continue beyond Age 60. . Good advice given that maybe it is time to find an alternate plan. Good luck to all those nearing this "mystical" age limitation.

[rudestuff]

Do helicopter pilots live past 60?!

[st608]

Do helicopter pilots live past 60?!
Good question

[JerryG]

An interesting discourse! As I went through 60 (surely an administrative error? Isn't Mick Jagger a teenager any more?) I began to feel that everything in helicopters would be a consolation prize thereafter. I also wondered if I'd rolled the dice enough times and should just say "thanks for the ride". Then I became aware that the world of drones was not only taking work away from helicopters but was also a world into which I could transfer around 80% of my skillset.

I now have a fresh sheet of paper on which to aviate, a career that has no age limit, and a world of opportunity that's growing exponentially. That world is comprised of two distinct types … professional aviators who have transferred, and hobbyists who see an opportunity to earn money. Guess who's getting the lion's share of the work?

I can now hold my head high again as I hold courses on "Flying The Lens" (in Australia and a couple of times each year in the UK) to bring on a whole new generation of aviators into capturing images from the air - in 3D, in Thermal IR, and in agricultural NDVI. There's a brave new world out there and I exhort my compatriot heli-oldies to embrace it.

[ShyTorque]

Do helicopter pilots live past 60?!

I can assure you they do (but you do have to work at it).

I now have a fresh sheet of paper on which to aviate, a career that has no age limit, and a world of opportunity that's growing exponentially. That world is comprised of two distinct types … professional aviators who have transferred, and hobbyists who see an opportunity to earn money. Guess who's getting the lion's share of the work?

Or you can find a non-AOC helicopter job, then you can carry on flying while you can still pass the medical.