review of commercial medicals

[Tranquil]

Ok,
I see no point in continuing this.

[Letsby Avenue]

Hey, take heart Tranquil - I know where you're coming from... I can't see me flying past 55 let alone 60 - 65? you're having a laugh

My problem is that I lose 30% of my pension because I have to retire before 65 - I love joined up NuLab government

[handysnaks]

excuse the slight thread creep but for Chris H, your e-mail address keeps being rejected! PM me or try a different address (or call me at WMIDS)
andy

[uncle ian]

I must just add to the arguements put forward by Thomas and the whirlies that, in my 59th year after 20 odd years as a free-lance helicopter pilot, I am in my most lucrative year ever.

Any provision I have made for retirement has nothing to do with any of my employers over the years and everything to do with taking care of myself.........just like many of us in this niche market for pilots. My regular clients are horrified at the prospect of my forced retirement as there are not enough helicopter pilots of any age to undertake all the work avilable. I want to continue to fly and, although the rules were always there, there is now another law, about age discrimination, which should take precedence. I, for one, intend to use it.

Another aspect you may have missed, Tranquil, is that it is almost unique to rotary operations that single pilot commercial operations are prefered to multi pilot commercial operations for reasons which I don't suppose I need to spell out.

Best wishes.

[Tranquil]

Uncle Ian,
No I don't think I missed the uniqueness of the rotary situation. However all I was attempting to do was put my point of view. Of course anyone is free to use any legal avenue open to them and I would defend their right to do so. But I do not have to agree with the principle. I am not sure about the "no Pilots of any age" as there inumerable threads on here of youngsters trying to get their feet in the door. I accept they may not all have the desired experience but that is a catch 22 situation. If you don't give them a start how do they get the experience.
Having said all that good luck to you.

[uncle ian]

Tranquil,

I take your point but the way to gain experience is the way most of us have done it...... unattractive jobs for poor remuneration.

Only in the past 10 years or so have I been actively sought for my range of skills. That's 25 years learning the trade. No wonder I'm a little hacked off that I may have to stop doing it just as I've learned how and I've absolutely no sympathy with the whingers who have no experience but a wealth of expectation about their value in the marketplace.

Best wishes.

[Whirlybird]

No wonder I'm a little hacked off that I may have to stop doing it just as I've learned how

And why should your employers, who want maturity and experience, be forced to take some young, inexperienced wet-behind-the-ears new pilot, when they'd prefer to have you?