9 July 2018
Captain Wayne Bayley, a former captain for TUI Airways with nearly 26,000 flight hours, is challenging the EU regulation which prohibits pilots aged 65 and over from flying commercial air transport.
Lawyers DMH Stallard have served legal papers on the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) seeking a judicial review of the CAA’s position. The CAA implements EU law in this respect.
Captain Bayley, who turned 65 earlier this year, was a training captain for over 22 years and spent four years as a fleet manager with TUI Airways, in which role he was responsible for over 30 aircraft and associated pilots.
He has passed all medical and competency examinations during his career at an above average level. In 2013 Captain Bayley flew the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner from the UK to Barbados, the birth place of his father.
Non-EU countries including Australia, New Zealand and Canada do not have upper age limit restrictions on pilots; they base a pilot’s competency to fly on medical tests.
The Aircrew Regulations prevent commercial pilots from flying over the age of 59 unless in the cockpit with another pilot under the age of 60. Additionally, the upper limit of 64, which is the issue in this case, prohibits any flying even when alongside a younger pilot.
Simon Elcock, Partner at DMH Stallard, said, “Captain Bayley accepts that there is clearly a legitimate public interest in safety in evaluating and mitigating the risks of pilot incapacitation in commercial flying.
“However, he believes this risk is mitigated by the requirement of having another pilot on the flight deck under the age of 60 and appropriate medical examinations.
“Having a blanket ban on commercial pilots flying from their 65th birthday seems arbitrary as it does not take into account the health and fitness of the individual pilot or developments in medical science.”
DMH Stallard, on behalf of Captain Bayley, is seeking permission from the Administrative Court to proceed to a Judicial Review of the CAA and specifically to enforce the requirement that the CAA have due regard, under its statutory public sector equality duty, to the need to advance equality of opportunity to commercial pilots over the age of 64.
Captain Bayley said, “I believe that the age limit of 64 for commercial pilots is out of date. With suitable medical examinations and precautions, it is perfectly safe for pilots over the age of 64 to fly commercially with another pilot under the age of 60.
“There is also a clear benefit to the public and the airline industry in having very experienced pilots operating in the UK and this would also help to address the current shortage of commercial pilots, especially experienced training captains.”
18 comments
I’ve not long turn 60 years young so my enforced retirement looms. I recently passed my medical with flying colours as I always have. I feel this rule of when you acquire 65 candles on your birthday cake you are no longer safe or fit to fly.
I fully support Captain Bayle in his quest.
I agree, this age restriction is unfair, provided they are medically fit and have passed all the necessary tests then there is no reason to force a pilots to retire at 65. There are always two pilots in the cockpit anyway, surely this adds to safety.
Good luck Wayne.
I agree with what has already been mentioned, a 72 year old seasoned pilot might be more capable or equally capable of flying a jumbo jet than a 52 year old in poorer health, I also agree more frequent health checks should be continued or brought in on those pilots reaching 61 years of age, and those with controlled medical conditions such as hypertention are obviously more safer than those pilots that have yet to be diagnosed with any conditions. If I were to put an age limit on pilots it would be capped at 79 years with a full medical check clearance.
I am a mitochondrial researcher,, using the lens of physics and can say, this challenge should be addressed at that level of science as this is how we really evaluate difference in cellular health beyond that which existing medical tests already detect. There is a vast difference in cellular expression, turnover and resilience when we look at that level. We’re going there inevitably, so why not now.
I FULLY agree with ALL responses and comments pertaining to this arbitrary upper age limit, restricting pilots from exercising the usual privileges of their expensively acquired professional airmen licenses … ! Going by modern day, better-informed, healthier life styles, if one can be fit as a fiddle (mentally & physically) at 65, so can he / she equally be at 75 … or older as well, for that matter … And indeed be “fitter” than a 45 yr old with multiple health conditions …. ! Pilots are an expensive, highly trained and overall well-read, well “educated” resoursce – why “waste” ALL that away when you DONT REALLY HAVE TO … ?(!)? Away with airmen / women age limits NOW, I say … all the VERY BEST in this noble “quest”, and THANK YOU for making a spirited stand on behalf, and in the very best interest of, the global pilot fraternity, Wayne … !!