Oldest RPT pilot
 

Have just done my own medical and the DAME mentioned that one airline pilot he examines is 74 years old.

That has me thinking, how old is the oldest RPT pilot in Australia?

With the majors, or regional?

Now how can you do yr own medical 3 G's?...............I bet you passed:E

I know of guys in their late 60's but one has gotta ask the question why would anyone wanna be at the wheel at that age? (70's)
I like flying always have but I am also looking forward to a time when I can go flying when "I" want to not when I have to.
Still will be interesting to find out what age groups out there are still at it:-)

Wmk2

We have just had one retirement at 70, and another going strong at 72. They stayed because they love it. What they don't know about flying jets isn't worth knowing. And they do their best to share it. Gentlemen both.

This is a very personal decision. Some may have to stay on for financial reasons, but there comes a time when one should hang up the hat, so to speak. If, after 30-40 years doing the same thing, it's a bit sad that a new interest can't be pursued. It is hard to walk away, but past early to mid 60's, anything can happen, and I'm sure performance diminishes. The memory is not so good, reflexes are definitely slower, complicated documents need that second reading to make sense, and the late hours/early mornings are all a bit more taxing. Of course, it can be argued that the experience equals or outweighs the downside. And once you've taken the walk, your perception changes, and you see things in a different light. I saw quite a few colleagues stay that bit too long, and it's sad to watch. Better to leave a year early, than a day late. From 60 on, if you can, chase your dreams, and don't put off anything you plan to do. One can still maintain involvement in aviation, but on one's own terms. I'd never question anyone who stays on while they can perform to the required standard, it's completely personal. You may be aware of the aged pilot involved in the Learjet crash in Mexico recently...there's definitely a limit, better to walk than be pushed.

And free up your seat for a youngster....

Hey, settle down. I'm closer to 50 than 60 and been flying for 36 years. Not ready to give it away just yet... Bloody Wipper Snappers.

http://i41.tinypic.com/acv3aq.jpg

Ps Not my image but it gave me a laugh.

What right does any person have to say when one should give up flying?

It's up the the individual, either when they want to, can't pass the medical, or when they're not up to standard.

...........a modest collection of ex-wives perhaps?

Or perhaps a late starter in the marriage stakes and thus becoming a dad in their 50's with 20-30 years of support & education to look forward to! :eek:

'chimbu' sadly that's more true than funny I suspect.

'CC' I know a Capt exactly as you described, never married & now done the deed with 3 kids all under 6 & in his 50's....interesting times ahead for him:)

I recall during WW3 an older Ansett 737 driver (Capt) was on his 3 rd wife (imported wife #3) & even then he was starting to think I want out as she wanted a pool to go where the tennis court was & that was just a start!
As a side note I said to him (as I was teaching him to fly toy planes at my club) what are you doing these days? He said still in transport, as a taxi driver !!!!
My ex father in-law (ironical I know!) worked 'till around late 60's & didn't have any other interests & when he retired he went OS on his first holiday to Bali, they brought him home in a pine box.

I'd recommend not to stay too long in any job.

Thread drift I know bur such a subject heading is rife for it:)


Wmk2

My Grandfather retired at 78.5 years old after selling the business he had built from scratch.

He cleaned out his desk on Friday afternoon, went home, and had a stroke.

My father was starting a new career (and third marriage) at 59 when he had a big fat heart attack and died.

I am not bothering to plan for retirement. :suspect:

It used to be, say back in the 1980's, that if you didn't make it in to a jet RPT gig by the time you're 35, then you've missed the boat. Is that still the case, or are pilots still getting in to jet RPT in the mid to late 40's these days?

42 when I started my first jet endorsement in '99.

The Swinebat is not a jet, Claret! :}

That's not what you told me at the time Bloggs! :8

In the mid-70's it was "by 28". :{

Pilots and ageing has been done to death, so to speak, elsewhere in Pprune.
All the usual arguments about getting a life outside aviation and moving over for the young pups, to pissing them off by holding out, to why it will cause erectile dysfunction if you either a) give it up, or b) persist with flying - depending on which side you are on.

I am not as good as I once was, but I am as good once as I always was.

So, 18 posts and only one that addresses the original query. Other than the 70 and 72 year olds mentioned, any older than that still in RPT flying? Wasn't asking for a debate on the pros and cons of aged pilots, just a straight forward question!!!!!