US House to weigh bill allowing older pilots, other aviation reforms

The US House of Representatives is set to vote next week on legislation to raise the mandatory commercial pilot retirement age to 67 from 65 and make other aviation reforms, Republican House leaders said Friday. The House bill, approved 63-0 by the Transportation Committee in June, would reauthorize FAA aviation safety and infrastructure programs for the next five years. Current authority expires Sept. 30. The pilot age proposal faces opposition from unions and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg who worry it could complicate operations. The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) says it could cause airline scheduling and pilot training issues and require reopening pilot contracts. Even if approved, current international rules would still prevent pilots older than 65 from flying in most countries outside the United States. Buttigieg told Fox News Radio Friday that "I would want to see a lot more data before we could feel comfortable with any kind of change" to the pilot age rules. The Regional Airline Association (RAA) supports the pilot age hike saying it "allows retention of more experienced captains, who can in turn fly alongside and mentor new first officers, helping to stabilize attrition." The House bill would also bar airlines from charging family seating fees but would not impose new rules sought by President Joe Biden to compensate passengers for delays. A draft Senate version would boost runway safety, track high-altitude balloons and double US fines for aviation consumer violations.<br/>