§44729 Age Standards for Pilots

Summary

Pilots may fly as part of a multi‑crew operation until they turn 65. "Covered operations" means either regular airlines under part 121 or certain operators under parts 119 and 91 that flew at least 75,000 turbojet flights in calendar year 2019 or any later year. Carriers that fall into that second group can choose to bar their pilots from flying for them after age 70 if they give written notice to the FAA Administrator. That choice starts one year after the notice and the carrier cannot undo it once it takes effect. For flights between the United States and another country, a pilot who is 60 or older can only be pilot‑in‑command if there is another pilot on the flight deck who is younger than 60; that rule stops when the Convention on International Civil Aviation allows 60‑plus pilots to be pilot‑in‑command internationally without that restriction. On the law’s enactment date, the old FAA rule at 14 CFR 121.383(c) stops applying. Pilots who were already 60 or older before enactment may only keep flying for covered carriers if they were working as a required flight‑deck crew member on that date, or if they are newly hired after that date but get no credit for prior seniority or length‑of‑service benefits. Steps taken to follow this law or the prior rule cannot be used as a basis for employment lawsuits. Any contract or benefit changes for union pilots must be agreed with their bargaining representative. Pilots 60 or older must have a first‑class medical certificate that expires six months after the exam date, and no one gets different or extra medical checks because of age unless the Secretary finds new safety data saying they are needed. Carriers must keep using FAA‑approved training and focus on training pilots 60 and older. Within 24 months after enactment, the Comptroller General must report to Congress on how the age change affected safety.