Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act of 2023

To amend title 49, United States Code, to raise the retirement age for pilots engaged in commercial aviation operations, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act of 2023 2. Increased retirement age for pilots Section 44729 of title 49, United States Code, as amended by section 107 of division Q of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 ( Public Law 117–328 44729. Age standards for pilots (a) In general A pilot may serve in multicrew covered operations until 67 years of age. (b) Covered operations defined In this section, the term covered operations (1) the territorial airspace of a foreign country where such operations are prohibited by the foreign country; or (2) international airspace where such operations are not in compliance with the Annexes to the Convention on International Civil Aviation. (c) Regulations On and after the date of enactment of the Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act of 2023 (d) Applicability (1) Retroactivity A pilot who is over 65 years of age on the date of enactment of this bill may return to service in multicrew covered operations until 67 years of age. (2) Protection for compliance An action taken in conformance with this section, taken in conformance with a regulation issued to carry out this section, or taken prior to the date of enactment of the Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act of 2023 (e) Amendments to labor agreements and benefit plans Any amendment to a labor agreement or benefit plan of an air carrier that is required to conform with the requirements of this section or a regulation issued to carry out this section, and is applicable to pilots represented for collective bargaining, shall be made by agreement of the air carrier and the designated bargaining representative of the pilots of the air carrier. (f) Medical standards and records (1) Medical examinations and standards Except as provided by paragraph (2), a person serving as a pilot for an air carrier engaged in covered operations shall not be subject to different medical standards, or different, greater, or more frequent medical examinations, on account of age unless the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration determines (based on data received or studies published after the date of enactment of the Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act of 2023 (2) Duration of first-class medical certificate No person who has attained 60 years of age may serve as a pilot of an air carrier engaged in covered operations unless the person has a first-class medical certificate. Such a certificate shall expire on the last day of the 6-month period following the date of examination shown on the certificate. (g) Safety training Each air carrier engaged in covered operations shall continue to use pilot training and qualification programs approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. (h) Report Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on further increasing the age limitation described in subsection (a). .

Summary: Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act of 2023 This bill raises the mandatory retirement age for pilots engaged in commercial aviation operations from 65 to 67 years of age, unless the operation takes place in (1) the territorial airspace of a foreign county where such operations are prohibited by the foreign country, or (2) international airspace where such operations are not in compliance with the Annexes to the Convention on International Civil Aviation. The Federal Aviation Administration must also submit a report to Congress on further increasing the age limitation for pilots engaged in commercial aviation operations.