Thanks for the advice, Whirlygig. Verticalhold and I go back far enough that no insult can hurt that much so have no fear on that score.

As a frequent and very well respected, albeit rather young, contributor to this forum who has already kindly expressed support for the cause of the eldery may I ask you to encourage your many friends to add their support and, above all, to keep this thread alive and on the front page. Anything to help maintain the momentum!

Thanks,

Uncle Ian

I'm well over 20 years off my 50s (or is that 50 years off my 20s?), but I'll definately contribute what I can when the time comes.

Perhaps worth starting an "I'll contribute £X to a legal defence fund if necessary" petition, like the No2ID chaps did a year or so back?

£100
 

Ian, I know you're planning a trip to the Bahamas, but I'm in for £100

Might be a bit late for me but I'm in for £100 - Good luck Ian

Another hundred here Ian. Give 'em hell!

Ian,

I will pledge GBP 100 to the cause.

A victory against the CAA over this matter would have significance to many pilots worldwide whose regulatory authorities look towards the CAA for leadership.

If the CAA was to remove the age limit in UK many other countries would follow; maybe not immediately but they would follow.

The subject was raised at BHAB on the 26/2.
Two pilots have managed a chat with their MP's (Cameron and Lembic) and they have been told that the matter will be taken fwd for discussion at one of their party meetings.
One pilot has informed the CAA that he intends to turn up for work after his 60th birthday (imminent) and it is up to the CAA to remove him from post??
Lord Glenarthur is chairing a deputisation to the DTI.
The BHAB chairman is talking to a rep from the parliamentary aviation committee.
Lots of activity on our behalf and sincere thanks to all for their strenuous efforts.
The message is though: write to your MP. They are duty bound to respond within a certain time frame. It is only with this added impetus that we can keep the ball rolling.
For the armchair supporters out there, I have summarised the entire issue in lay speak so that the MP can get his/her head around what we are on about.
Add this master reference to your own personal short, polite (:) covering letter AND POST IT TO YOUR MP....please?
What have you got to lose?
many thanks.
Here is the master reference:
http://www.helicopterservice.com.au/...0reference.pdf
Thanks to John Eacott for hosting the link.

Count me in
 

I' ve £100 for the cause.

for me it is less than 6 months, to stand down(the big 60) Why not 61,62, or 63. Ah 60 is a nice round number. Where is all the evidence that gives someone the right to stop me earning a living and supporting my family in the manner we have worked so hard to achieve.
A great many of us gave most of our years to the military and receive a pittance of a pension in return.
The CAA are made up of military experienced pilots who have ensured that their final salary pension will keep them comfortable, and hell no, they have no desire to go past 60.
The pension contribution and salary for the majority of single pilot rotary, has in general, until recently, been appaulling. Most ex-military reaching 60 need to get the extra few years in to boost their pension.
With the correct medical checks(As thorough as the CAA wish)there is no need for that 60 restriction. I will not go as far as to say that it should be unrestricted. These days 60 is not what it was. Every year extra allowed makes a huge difference to the quality of life after retirement.

Though it is too late to help me. I will willingly contribute £100 to help fight this descrimination. (Tell me were to send it.)

Flying Lawyer often gives good advice, If he has advice to offer that can help keep the costs down; I am sure he would make a lot of old farts now and in the future very grateful.

Thanks to all the new pledges. I'll only call them in when the funds are definately needed and I will set up a system to ensure the money goes where it's intended.

Certainly writing to your MP is a good idea. I wrote to mine over a year ago and he corresponded with the dept for transport to the point of impasse. Cameron may be taking the cause up following a meeting I had with him some few months ago (he had no choice......I was flying him!) and he urged me to have a constituent write to him wich I did.

I do believe that the promise of legal action made public and funded through this forum will concentrate the minds of those who interpret the law from the bridge of the Belgrano to look again. So spread the word among your friends.

Uncle Ian

Age Discrimination
 

Thomas coupling,

you may wish to add Germany to the list of those countries that accept single pilot commercial operations beyond age 60.

I was advised by a German colleague at HeliExpo on Sunday that Germany has recently changed its National regulation to comply with the age discrimination law. I believe that there was a court case.

Good luck all.

Count me in too
 

Uncle Ian,

There's £100 here also when you need it

how about 60-
 

I can stop at 58 and for my part I would like them to make it 55

Age Discrimination
 

Count me in for £100. I am in ABZ but could be working much closer to home in Yorkshire if it wasn't for this daft legislation. Andy, I didn't think you were that old! Worn well!

If that's you Stu
and you mean me
I'm not:p
.
If it's not you
or you don't mean me
disregard!!!:rolleyes:

Hi Andy, No it's Clive Chandler formerly of BIH, PAS and Scotia. My kindest regards to all the 'Blue Lighters' out there. Time we scrapped the anonimity on this forum anyway.

Hello Clive, it was your profile that made me think it might be S M!!
I don't think I'm too anonymous anyway:O

Age Discrimination
 

True Andy, even I worked it out - years of Telegraph crosswords I think!!!! As a matter of interest Scotia are employing 60yr+ contractors as I type. £450 a day but with 1 week's notice. I've been a short term contractor for 18 months now. How short term is that? You can boost that by 8.5% in the first year by forming a company and registering for the the 'Flat Rate' VAT scheme = £90,000pa gross. Watch out for IR35 though and Corporation Tax. It means that you have no job security, no 'Bells & Whistles' (Pension, PHI, Loss of Licence etc), you are employed as a co-pilot but are paid more than the most senior captain! Funny old world.

Pledges to support legal action have slowed a little but we have passed £2000.

I won't be there myself this year but if anyone interested is going to Cheltenham I'd be grateful if they could spread the word, get pledges and, above all, get those pledges posted here.

My solicitors are advising a two pronged attack:- i) Industrial Tribunal where the CAA have a case to answer as license issuers even though they are not employers. ii) Judicial Revue which is self explanatory and is heard in the High Court.

For both I need expert medical opinion and Councel's opinion in order to have the best chance of winning. It is possible that if both are encouraging it will be possible to get help funding action in the High Court.

Whirligig, you offerd you accountancy expertise earlier; would you, perhaps, agree to be fundholder for this money when it materialises? It may give comfort to those who like the concept but don't know if I can be trusted not to run off with it.

Uncle Ian

So we can both run off with it together eh?

No problem! I would recommend a separate bank account with two signatories. Depending on how our “pledgors” feel, I would not be able to audit the fund if I was a signatory – that is, if it is felt appropriate and/or necessary to have the accounts audited. This would, of course, be free of charge.

I would be more than happy to be a signatory and, if an audit was felt appropriate, I’m sure I can sweet talk (i.e. bribe) a colleague into doing it.

I’m quite prepared to pop over from The North Folk to The South Folk!

Cheers

Whirls