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119-s-4452119th CongressWALLET

Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act

Sponsored By: Senator Graham, Lindsey [R-SC]

Introduced

Summary

Would let many commercial pilots keep flying past 65 by creating a new retirement-age rule that generally allows pilots to serve until 67 and lets some carriers set a 70 cutoff. It also lays out medical, training, and labor transition rules to manage who stays on the flight deck.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Higher pilot retirement ages and rules

If enacted, pilots in defined "covered operations" would generally be allowed to serve until age 67. "Covered operations" would mean Part 121 flights except where a foreign country prohibits them or where international airspace is not ICAO‑compliant, or carriers with Part 119/135 authority and Subpart K management specs that logged at least 75,000 turbojet operations in 2019 or a later year. Carriers using the subsection (b)(2) rules could give one written notice to the FAA to bar employed pilots from serving after age 70; that notice would take effect one year after delivery and could not be undone. A person who was already 65 before enactment generally would not be allowed to serve unless they were employed in the required flight deck crew on the date of enactment, or they are newly hired after enactment without credit for prior seniority or longevity.

Pilot contract protections and liability shield

If enacted, any amendment to a pilot labor contract or benefit plan needed to follow this section would have to be made by agreement with the pilots' designated bargaining representative. If enacted, actions taken in conformity with this section, regulations to carry it out, or prior versions of the old FAA rule would not be allowed to serve as the basis for liability or relief under any employment law in any U.S. court or agency.

New medical and training rules

If enacted, no person aged 60 or older would be allowed to serve as a pilot in covered operations unless they hold a first-class medical certificate. That first-class certificate would expire on the last day of the six-month period after the exam date shown on the certificate. The FAA would not be allowed to impose different or more frequent medical exams based on age unless post-enactment data or studies show they are needed for safety. Air carriers engaged in covered operations would have to continue using FAA‑approved pilot training and qualification programs.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Graham, Lindsey [R-SC]

SC • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2026

  • Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]

    IA • R

    Sponsored 5/11/2026

  • Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 6/3/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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