Oldest active Aussie Airline Pilot?

[nomess]

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]

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]

Originally Posted by tail wheel

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]

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]

Originally Posted by KRviator

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]

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]

Age and Class 1

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]

Jetstar checkie around 73. Not sure if he's flying of late, but certainly was over 70yo.

[NZFlyingKiwi]

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]

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]

I know someone who retired from one major airline aged 65 and has just started with another aged 70.

[Hollywood1]

Originally Posted by Clare Prop

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]

Originally Posted by Mr Mossberg

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.