BarryMonday
Back in the old days - well, about 20+ years ago, - come to think of it we may even be going back to the 60s, the age limit for a UK ATPL holder was 65 with the rider that if over 60 you were restricted to flying aircraft of 20,000kgs MTOW.
Along comes JAA with all sorts of ideas on harmonisation of the rules. The CAA in their infinite wisdom, decided to show the world what good europeans we were and start the ball rolling by announcing that they were scrapping the 20K limit unless you held an "as or with co-pilot medical restriction"
Unfortunately somebody included in the small print that it was each individual pilot's responsibility to seek permission to land/overfly as required. After a bit of a hue and cry by the pilots concerned, the CAA decided to be good guys and write to all ICAO countries and ask for block permission for UK over 60s to land/overfly etc. With hindsight this was a gross error!
Prior to the introduction of JAA, pilots over 60 (from all countries who allowed their pilots to fly to 65) used to blithley fly everywhere quite oblivious to the fact that they should always have been seeking permission!
In most countries even their authorities hadn't given it a thought.
Then the CAA request for blanket clearance fell on their proverbial doorsteps. Can our chaps overfly your patch? Er, NO (especially if they were a country who pulled the plug on their own guys at 60 or less).
Why should we give something to you feelthy Brits!