Age 70 for international pilots?
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Singapore
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Get a life?
I for one would love to continue to fly until I am unable to do so. If you are in a situation where you need a Captain to retire to see an upgrade then I would suggest looking for another career.
I spent years as an FO and never compalined about the crappy pay. I went and got another job and ran that small business to support my family and to continued to fly until I was able to hold a leftseat.
I bet you whiny one's are a real pleasure to fly with....and hope I never need to do so!
On a side note: If the old fart does die...you strap him in and continue to fly single pilot.....but maybe that is the real fear! Not having the experience to do it on your own in the right seat. Trust me, what I see from the leftseat, I understand why the passengers might not agree to be left alone with today's average first officer.
Cheers
I spent years as an FO and never compalined about the crappy pay. I went and got another job and ran that small business to support my family and to continued to fly until I was able to hold a leftseat.
I bet you whiny one's are a real pleasure to fly with....and hope I never need to do so!
On a side note: If the old fart does die...you strap him in and continue to fly single pilot.....but maybe that is the real fear! Not having the experience to do it on your own in the right seat. Trust me, what I see from the leftseat, I understand why the passengers might not agree to be left alone with today's average first officer.
Cheers
Last edited by asia757; 7th Aug 2010 at 14:06.
Join Date: Mar 2000
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Trust me, what I see from the leftseat, I understand why the passengers might not agree to be left alone with today's average first officer.
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70, are you guys kidding? Who would ride in a plane flown geriatrics?
It saddens me that there are pilots so unhappy with their jobs that they cannot wait to retire. And it saddens me even more to think that arbitrary age limits destroy the careers of pilots who happen to love flying. Age is not a barrier to being a competent pilot, so why should someone who lives to fly be forced to abandon it all and sit watching television for the rest of his life just because he's past a certain age?
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Flying Circus Aerodrome - Charlie Kulp
Still flying approaching 85
A recent report
Charlie Kulp to Fly Again July 18, 2010
Charlie Kulp is known throughout the airshow community as "The Flying Farmer". Until his retirement in 2007, he had been thrilling crowds as Silas Hicks, a country farmer who recklessly takes to the skies in a Piper J-3 Cub. Charlie puts his J-3 through maneuvers he's been quoted as saying the airplane "won't do". It's a family-friendly performance sure to impress anyone who sees it.
Charlie has announced that he will be coming out of retirement to make a special performance in honor of the Flying Circus Airshow's 40th anniversary, and also to help raise funds for the development of a new museum showcasing the history and collections of the Flying Circus.
Still flying approaching 85
A recent report
Charlie Kulp to Fly Again July 18, 2010
Charlie Kulp is known throughout the airshow community as "The Flying Farmer". Until his retirement in 2007, he had been thrilling crowds as Silas Hicks, a country farmer who recklessly takes to the skies in a Piper J-3 Cub. Charlie puts his J-3 through maneuvers he's been quoted as saying the airplane "won't do". It's a family-friendly performance sure to impress anyone who sees it.
Charlie has announced that he will be coming out of retirement to make a special performance in honor of the Flying Circus Airshow's 40th anniversary, and also to help raise funds for the development of a new museum showcasing the history and collections of the Flying Circus.
Join Date: Mar 2010
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ADFS
You've got two choices mate: die doing the job or retire before and find a new life.
I retired at 61 and can assure you it's easier to find a new life at 61 than at 71.
But everyone to his own.....
I retired at 61 and can assure you it's easier to find a new life at 61 than at 71.
But everyone to his own.....
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: cape town
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Retired at 60, as I had seen enough, and had a good time while doing it. Now enjoying doing what I like to do, and help the young 'uns learning how to fly an aeroplane responsibly. At my own time and leisure. Yip, life is good! 
Join Date: May 2005
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I've flown with 70 year old F/O's longhaul.
Got their medicals OK but unfortunately there's no means of checking their brains for ability to stay awake and mental confusion from time-to-time.
Got their medicals OK but unfortunately there's no means of checking their brains for ability to stay awake and mental confusion from time-to-time.
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If the regulators think we are good to fly until 70 will someone please tell that to my Loss Of Licence insurance company who presently think that hitting 53 is a good time to double the premium.
I've flown with 70 year old F/O's longhaul.
Got their medicals OK but unfortunately there's no means of checking their brains for ability to stay awake and mental confusion from time-to-time.
Got their medicals OK but unfortunately there's no means of checking their brains for ability to stay awake and mental confusion from time-to-time.
"Trust nothing; Trust No One"
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Pugilist,
Fair comment, but these guys were showing some very demonstrable signs of mental deterioration, and falling asleep, sometimes constantly.
On one occasion I chose to go sick rather than turn up for work, I find that my own rest is disrupted because I don't trust the guy up front.
Routine tasks are performed fairly well by 70 year olds but anything out of the ordinary and the response is sometimes a blank look, or inability to carry out a task that entails memory or is mentally taxing
Fair comment, but these guys were showing some very demonstrable signs of mental deterioration, and falling asleep, sometimes constantly.
On one occasion I chose to go sick rather than turn up for work, I find that my own rest is disrupted because I don't trust the guy up front.
Routine tasks are performed fairly well by 70 year olds but anything out of the ordinary and the response is sometimes a blank look, or inability to carry out a task that entails memory or is mentally taxing
Join Date: Nov 2006
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What this really means is Congress is going to steal our pension plans since we won't ever need them, since by the time we get to 70, they'll raise it to 80, 90...
Join Date: Jan 2009
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older guys falling asleep.
its funny, I had a 28 year old copilot about 9 years ago...he fell asleep on my leg (an offense that will get you fired at my line).
the new breed of pilots is more interested in the lifestyle of a pilot (travel, women, scuba diving, hobbies etc) than being a good pilot.
A good pilot will make sure he is alert from start to finish of his duty day...and his off duty time is spent making sure that he can be alert on his next duty day.
its funny, I had a 28 year old copilot about 9 years ago...he fell asleep on my leg (an offense that will get you fired at my line).
the new breed of pilots is more interested in the lifestyle of a pilot (travel, women, scuba diving, hobbies etc) than being a good pilot.
A good pilot will make sure he is alert from start to finish of his duty day...and his off duty time is spent making sure that he can be alert on his next duty day.
Join Date: Jun 2009
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Apparently you haven't flown too many north atlantic's with a 24 hour layover. Or 5 nights in a row night freight runs. Or better yet, 3 man crew, 12 hour block with short rest.
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no poina, Ihaven't flown the atlantic
and I chose a domestic line because I would rather overnight in chicago, or boston, or washington than in another country (though I had some very nice over nights in Canada at Ottawa, Montreal, and Toronto".)
I'd rather fly an hour and land than fly 12 hours and land...I prefer landings to cruising.
and I chose a domestic line because I would rather overnight in chicago, or boston, or washington than in another country (though I had some very nice over nights in Canada at Ottawa, Montreal, and Toronto".)
I'd rather fly an hour and land than fly 12 hours and land...I prefer landings to cruising.
Join Date: Jun 2009
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As would I. But the point is, some don't have the choice. With fatigue, you can't just tough it. You also can't force yourself to sleep, no matter how good a trooper you were on the layover. Timezones take a toll and are a contributing factor in accident/incidence.