I'm 78. I was a CFI for a few years, but didn't like it. I owned a Mooney for a few years but did most of my flying in flying clubs. At age 76 I just got the feeling one day that I just didn't feel as sharp as I once was. So, I decided it was time to hang it up. I took my wife on a last flight on a beautiful CAVU Fall day and that was it. Flying was one of the greatest experience in my life, and ended on a high note.
I’ve got an uncle that flew GA left seat until nearly 80 and flew with his pilot son into his 80’s. He recognized when it was time to give up the left seat. I’ve known a number of semi drivers that continued into their eighties that should have handled over the keys. Too many truck drivers die in the sleeper of their trucks. I realize aviation and trucking aren’t too similar, but there are thousands more semi trucks than aircraft, and encounter thousands more people.
When I was in training for my private pilot certificate, I flew in a Mooney with an older instructor who couldn't understand why the plane was flying so slowly. Setting up for landing much later, she discovered that the flaps were still configured for takeoff. I was at that time a new student, so never thought to question an instructor about flying a plane I was unfamiliar with! About 3 weeks later she died in that same plane in a takeoff accident the NTSB never definitively set to cause. I often wondered is that flap incident should have been a sign to her... As an older pilot now myself, I think long and hard about any aspect of my flying that is less than perfect to see if it may be a sign I should not ignore.
Man, the way you all talk about preventing your parents from flying like it's your choice and not theirs; first time in my life I've been happy that I've never had kids.
Many years ago dad and I decided to go fly the Mooney for a quick jaunt around Carlsbad, Ca from Palomar Airport. We took off, flew the coast for a while and returned. On final we got to about400 ft and I asked dad when he intended to put the gear down. I was a pilot too, not to worried. We did a go around and landed uneventfully. He had the Mooney 201, a Beechcraft T-34, Fairchild PT-19, $3500 a month hangar fees. Asked him and he replied he only flew 6 hours in the last year. I told him it was time to quit. He agreed, sold the planes and bought a big motorhome. Glad I live up north.
This decision was recently made for me. I'm Basic Med and had a medical event that is a disqualifier for BM. I'm 72 and have been told by CFI friends and pilots I fly with that I'm a good safe pilot. If I have to go through the. up to, 2 year, evacuation period that puts at 74. I can fly LSAs but I have no access to one.
Just had this conversation Friday with a Flight Attendant friend. She knows I’m a corporate pilot and a CFI/MEI. Her father-in-law just geared up his Mooney during his BFR. He is 76 or 78, can’t remember to be exact, but the CFI he was doing it with was in his 80’s
When you start talking early to Elder pilot do not make it about them to began with. Ask there thoughts about when and how should someone find out they need to stop flying. Maybe even tell them that when you are flying with them ask them to point out some of the things you do and let them know that you appreciate being told that you are rusty or need more insturctions. Admit that you will someday be facing the same thing and how would the elder one (if still around) approach you with the fact maybe it is time!
Agreed it's not a set age issue. But also like what Bryan's dad recognized, it needs to be about more than stick and rudder skills. You might be able to control your plane well, but if you can communicate effectively on the radios, properly apply ATC instructions, etc. you shouldn't be flying anymore no matter how proficient your stick and rudder skills.
I've known a few who flew past their prime and paid the price. Thankfully, they didn't hurt anyone else but that is a big responsibility we all bear as pilots as we age. No government solution will really work, it's something as individual pilots and as a community we need to address better. Bringing another pilot along is one option for most flying but self awareness is the key.
Taking away my mother's keys(to the car) Our mother should never have had a driver's license. The state of indiana agreed. But my mother was a World War 2 cadet nurse. The war department demanded that she be issued a driver's license. The state of Indiana said she couldn't pass the driving test. The compromise was to have a coach set in the back seat during the driving test. She said "he was very helpful"😅 Decades later my sister approached the subject with mother by telling a story. Another couple told their children years in advance, they had permission to take the keys when they saw fit. Mother's response, "we won't need to talk about that will we!" She didn't want to lose her independence.
Why is "age" always used and not ability. I think we need to move away from this. If you stay in shape physically and mentally you will do your self a huge favour!!
"Why?" Because advancing in age _always_ eventually causes physical and mental decline. Staying in shape indeed can improve & prolong ability, but decline _with age_ is inevitable. No, we shouldn't "move away from" using age when judging one's safety in the cockpit, but more value should be placed upon one's _actual_ demonstrated capabilities. We're doing something that can easily & quickly kill us and/or others.
What about cognitive tests for every age. Cognitive abilities aren't just tied to age. And as far as being the one to say we have to take the keys away, I told my parent, do you want to be the one that harms a child (like your great grandchild) because you still want to be able to drive to the grocery store? If they push back against that, then that's a completely different argument. Mine did not - of course I had the back up of the Doctor.
