Fischer introduces bipartisan bill to increase age limit for commercial pilots

With baby boomers making up half of the airline pilot population — roughly 5,000 fully qualified pilots will be forced to retire within the next two years — U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) was prompted to introduce a bipartisan bill that would raise the retirement age for pilots engaged in commercial aviation operations to help address pilot shortages and increased flight cancellations.

“An ongoing shortage of airline pilots nationwide continues to impact Nebraskans by reducing the volume of available flights, particularly at our rural airports,” Sen. Fischer said. “Passing this bill would be an important step toward reversing the high number of service reductions and flight cancellations.”

The Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act, S. 893, is sponsored by U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and seven cosponsors, including Sen. Fischer and U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Thune (R-SD), and Joe Manchin (D-WV).

If enacted, S. 893 would raise the mandatory commercial pilot retirement age from 65 years to 67 years and require that pilots over the age of 65 maintain a first-class medical certification, which must be renewed every six months, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Fischer’s staff.

Additionally, S. 893 would require air carriers to continue using pilot training and qualification programs approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. The bill would not change or alter any other qualification to become a commercial airline pilot, the summary says.

The measure has been referred to the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee for consideration.