Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act
Sponsored By: Senator Graham, Lindsey [R-SC]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would allow pilots to serve in many multicrew operations until age 67. It would also let some carriers opt into a 70-year cap and sets related medical, training, and labor rules.
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- Pilots: Many older pilots could keep flying in covered multicrew operations until age 67, and some employed by opting carriers could serve to age 70. Those who had already reached 65 before enactment face narrow exceptions tied to current employment status or new hires without seniority credit.
- Air carriers and operators: Carriers that choose the 70-year limit must notify the Federal Aviation Administration in writing, the choice takes effect 1 year after notice, and it cannot be undone after it takes effect. The bill defines covered operations to include most part 121 flights and certain part 135 operators that logged at least 75,000 turbojet operations in 2019 or a later year.
- Labor and benefits: Any contract or benefit-plan changes needed to follow the bill must be agreed to by the carrier and the pilots' designated bargaining representative. Actions taken to comply with the bill or related regulations may not be used as the basis for employment-law liability or relief.
- Safety, medical, and training rules: The bill bars different medical standards or more frequent exams based solely on age unless the FAA finds new data saying they are needed. Pilots 60 and older must hold a first-class medical certificate that expires at the end of the 6-month period after the exam. Carriers must continue to use FAA-approved pilot training and qualification programs.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Older pilots can fly until 67
If enacted, the bill would let pilots serve in multicrew covered operations until they attain 67 years of age. "Covered operations" would include flights under federal part 121 and certain part 135 carriers that had at least 75,000 turbojet operations in 2019 or any later year. People who had already attained 65 before the date of enactment could not serve in covered operations unless they were employed on the enactment date as a required flight deck crew member, or they are newly hired on or after enactment without credit for prior seniority or longevity.
Airlines can bar pilots after 70
If enacted, the bill would allow an air carrier to elect in writing to prohibit its employed pilots from serving in certain covered operations after they attain 70 years of age. That election would take effect one year after the carrier gives written notice to the FAA and could not be terminated afterward. The bill would also require any changes to collective-bargaining pilot agreements or benefit plans needed to conform with the section to be made by agreement with the pilots' designated bargaining representative. Actions taken to comply with this section or prior related FAA rules could not be used as the basis for employment-law claims.
First-class medical for pilots 60+
If enacted, the bill would require anyone aged 60 or older to hold a first-class medical certificate to serve as a pilot in covered operations. That first-class certificate would expire on the last day of the six-month period after the exam date shown on the certificate. Except for this rule, the bill would bar imposing different or more frequent medical standards or examinations just because of age unless the FAA finds new data or studies after enactment showing they are needed. The bill would also require carriers in covered operations to keep 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
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov