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nomess
30th Dec 2023, 01:56
Pure curiosity. Recently came back from the states, one of our internal flights had a retirement Captain, 62 years.

With only medical headwinds holding back those down under, are there any 70-80 year olds out here still chugging along?

I am aware of one Virgin pilot, early 70s.

tail wheel
30th Dec 2023, 21:21
Some years ago there was a 73 year old Dash 8 Captain at Sunnies.

I've heard of commercial pilots in their 80s still holding a class 1 medical, including a DC3 pilot around 80?

KRviator
30th Dec 2023, 22:00
Some years ago there was a 73 year old Dash 8 Captain at Sunnies.

I've heard of commercial pilots in their 80s still holding a class 1 medical, including a DC3 pilot around 80?Pretty sure the surviving PIC of that Bankstown mid-air around 2010 was 87/88 - actually 89 years old at the time, according to the media. Though granted, not an airline pilot as the OP's after...

Hope I'm still able to get into the cockpit when I'm that old!

mates rates
30th Dec 2023, 22:46
I think Jack Curtis was still flying the DC3 at about 80.We had trouble getting him to fly when he was a TAA Captain,ha ha!!

KRUSTY 34
31st Dec 2023, 07:32
Pretty sure the surviving PIC of that Bankstown mid-air around 2010 was 87/88 - actually 89 years old at the time, according to the media. Though granted, not an airline pilot as the OP's after...

Hope I'm still able to get into the cockpit when I'm that old!

I think Mrs KA may have suggested he give it away after that.

Don't quote me, just something I heard on the 'vine?

Lookleft
31st Dec 2023, 22:38
I know that the oldest female airline pilot in the world is the indefatigable Deb Lawrie. There are airline pilots in Australia that are in their 70's but I'm not sure that they are doing fulltime line operations.

poteroo
1st Jan 2024, 00:25
I held my Class 1 until 2021 and that made me 81 with 56 years holding a CPL. I'm sure there are many GA Instructors in their 80s still working.
happy days,

shortshortz
4th Jan 2024, 09:17
Jetstar checkie around 73. Not sure if he's flying of late, but certainly was over 70yo.

NZFlyingKiwi
4th Jan 2024, 17:38
Not airline so slightly outside the topic perhaps but there was a GA charter operator in NZ, the chief pilot/owner of which who has retired within the last couple of years would have been in his mid 80s at least. Definitely a few instructors around in their 80s as well.

Mr Mossberg
5th Jan 2024, 07:00
Hope I'm still able to get into the cockpit when I'm that old!

Can't think of anything worse................sitting on a rocking chair with a good whiskey will do me.

Clare Prop
5th Jan 2024, 23:28
I know someone who retired from one major airline aged 65 and has just started with another aged 70.

Hollywood1
6th Jan 2024, 01:41
I know someone who retired from one major airline aged 65 and has just started with another aged 70.

If they're on the same type, it shouldn't be a problem, but to change to new type at age 70, I know my brain cells wouldn't cope having no storage space left!

deja vu
9th Jan 2024, 00:53
Can't think of anything worse................sitting on a rocking chair with a good whiskey will do me.
When you are that old more than likely you will be wishing you were in the cockpit looking forward to a whisky after landing. I know, couldn't wait to retire, now I miss it like hell.