The age-60 rule for U.S. commercial pilots has been changed to age 65, which will allow the U.S. to be consistent with most of the aviation world. It will also help, in the short term, to mitigate the manpower problems facing commercial aviation. Unfortunately, there isn’t an easy solution for the shortfall of certified maintenance personnel, as many of them already work past age 65.
The blue ribbon panel on aviation predicted that there would be a shortage of mechanics several years ago, but the events of 9/11 changed that timetable. Since then aviation has made a slow and painful recovery. However, much of the technical talent that was let go as a result of the downturn has moved on to other industries and, based on what I have been told, not many of the technicians who have left the industry are returning. For many of these certified mechanics, the six years they have invested in the new company is enough to make them stay, rather than return to weathering the ups and downs of the commercial aviation business.
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