Rep. Troy E. Nehls in The Washington Times: We need experienced pilots in our skies: Raise the pilot age
May 20, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Congressman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22), Chairman of the House Aviation Subcommittee, penned an op-ed in The Washington Times, highlighting his legislation, H.R. 5523, the Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act of 2025, which would raise the retirement age of commercial pilots from 65 to 67, while still maintaining the same rigorous medical and training requirements all other pilots in the industry are expected to maintain.
Read the op-ed HERE or below:
"Did you know commercial airline pilots are forced to retire at the age of 65? In fact, commercial pilots are in one of the few professions that has a mandatory retirement age.
In 1959, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented the Airline Age 60 rule, requiring all commercial airline pilots, or pilots who fly planes with more than 35 passengers, to retire at age 60, regardless of their health or experience. In 2007, 48 years later, Congress passed legislation to raise the mandatory retirement age for commercial pilots from 60 to 65, which was signed into law by President George W. Bush.
Flash forward: today, the mandatory retirement age for commercial pilots is still 65, despite the glaring pilot shortage we are experiencing, and air travel is at an all-time high in the U.S. It’s important to note that not all pilots flying in our National Airspace System (NAS) are subject to this same arbitrary upper age limit. In fact, most pilots flying general aviation aircraft under Part 91, whether for personal use or under other commercial operations like Part 135 (on-demand air charters), there is no upper age limit imposed by the FAA, provided they meet medical and proficiency standards. Effectively, any celebrity, business executive or even sitting U.S. Senators who fly private could have a pilot in the cockpit who is over the age of 65. Other countries, like Canada, have no upper age limit.
In 2023, the CEO of the Regional Airlines Association (RAA) testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and said that over the next 15 years, nearly 50% of commercial airline pilots would be forced to retire due to the mandated retirement age. This expected significant loss of experienced pilots will not only add to the pilot shortage we are currently experiencing but could also contribute to higher airline ticket prices.
By requiring all pilots flying under Part 121 (commercial transport) to retire at 65, regardless of medical or demonstrated proficiency levels, we are forcing out thousands. These are the talented professionals in the airline industry who have developed unique experience through completing tens of thousands of flight hours, handling a variety of emergency scenarios, navigating complex operational environments and honing split-second decision-making capabilities. There is simply no substitute for experience. The traveling public deserves to have the most skilled pilots in the cockpit, and I have a bill that would ensure just that.
My legislation, the Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act, would modestly raise the mandated retirement age for commercial pilots from 65 to 67, all the while maintaining the same rigorous medical and training requirements that all other pilots in the industry are expected to maintain. In 2023, my bill was included in the House-passed Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2024 but was unfortunately taken out by the U.S. Senate in large part due to Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Senate Democrats, and misguided and misleading lobbying efforts.
Unfortunately, there are certain groups, namely the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), that are dug in with their activism and have relentlessly fought against raising the mandatory retirement age for commercial pilots, despite many of ALPA’s own members supporting the initiative. This out-of-touch organization’s rhetoric and twisted narrative aren’t based on data and science, but rather emotion and their own self-interest, convenience, and economics.
My office consistently receives calls from commercial pilots who are forced to retire on their 65th birthday, despite still passing their medical exams and check rides on a routine basis. Every time a pilot is forced to retire at the age of 65, we lose proficient aviation professionals who have invaluable knowledge and skills, and ultimately, the traveling public pays the price.
As air travel continues to reach record highs, the need for skilled pilots only increases.
We shouldn’t be forcing seasoned aviation professionals to retire when the need for their expertise only continues to grow. Raising the age to 67 enhances safety by retaining experienced professionals, alleviating shortages, and reflecting medical reality.
As Chairman of the House Aviation Subcommittee, I’m calling on Congress to do the right thing and pass my bill, the Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act, to permanently codify my proposal into law.
My bill has the support of both House and Senate leadership and numerous industry organizations. It’s time to get on board and keep experienced pilots in our skies."