THE AGE-60 RULE

The Age-60 Rule

Acknowledgements

The writer wishes to express special thanks to the Andre Haith, pilot American Airlines, Major General Richard Platt, Air National Guard Assistant to Commander, USAFE, and David Marshall, American Airlines retired pilot. Appreciation is also due to my Committee Member, Brad Kopp and Committee Chair, Dr. Franz Rosenhammer for their guidance in writing this paper.

Abstract

In this study we try to explore the “Age 60 Rule” in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on “Age 60 Rule” and its relation with “pilot's performance”. The research also analyzes many aspects of “Age 60 Rule” and tries to gauge its effect on “pilots performance”.

Table of Content

Acknowledgementsii

Abstractiii

Chapter 1: Introduction1

Statement of the Problem2

The Importance of the Study2

The Hypothesis3

Delimitations3

Definitions of Terms3

Assumptions5

The First Assumption5

The Second Assumption6

The Third Assumption6

Studies14

Recent Challenges to the Age 60 Rule16

Chapter 3: Methodology19

Research Technique19

The Research Design19

Survey Population19

Sources of Data20

Data Gathering Instrument20

Distribution Method20

Treatment of Data and Procedures20

Chapter 4: Result and Discussion21

Pilot Performance and Cognitive Skills22

Aging24

Expertise25

Alternatives to Chronological Age25

Life Expectancy27

Chapter 5: Conclusion30

References32

Chapter 1: Introduction

The Standard established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) limits the age of a pilot-incommand to 60 years (Annex 1 to The Convention on International Civil Aviation, paragraph 2.1.10.1), and a copilot to 60 years. As of 1998, twenty-four Contracting States have notified ICAO of differences with the Standard; some have raised the age limit, others have lowered it, and some have done away with it altogether .

The Requirements of the Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) also prohibit a pilot who has attained the age of 60 from engaging in commercial air transport operations, with the exception of multi-pilot crew operations where the pilot is the only one who has attained 60 years of age, but has not yet reached the age of 65.

The Age 60 Rule, implemented by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 1959, does not allow persons engaged in operations conducted under Part 121 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) to serve as a pilot or copilot upon reaching their 60th birthday. Considerable controversy has surrounded the Age 60 Rule since its inception. During the last two decades, various studies have been carried out to assess the relationship between age, experience, and pilot performance. Results have differed significantly from study to study, making a clear understanding of the relationship between age, pilot performance, and safety difficult.

Since 1960, federal regulations have specified that individuals' age 60 and older may not serve as airline pilots. Over the years, the “Age 60 Rule”, as it is commonly known, has been the topic of considerable controversy and debate. The central issue in this debate is whether pilots age 60 and older exhibit age-related declines in health and cognitive abilities that compromise flight safety as the FAA maintains, or whether these effects typically occur later in the life span Yesavage, 1999).

Congress has expressed considerable interest in this issue over the years. The rule has been examined in oversight hearings, several bills to increase the age limit have been offered, and Congress has ...