oldest pilots

Derek,

I don't think that is quite correct. I think the following is true in the
UK.

The restrictions you quote apply to club owned aircraft. My understanding
is that instructors over 69 may still instruct, but they need a CAA medical
rather than an NPPL medical; if you read a recent posting to the Lasham
onelist you will see that there is at least one 75 year old pilot
instructing at Lasham.

I think that pilots over 74 may still fly power, it is tugging which is
banned.

I also understand that at the club where you fly (Lasham) special permission
can be sought, and that there is one pilot over 79 allowed to fly club
gliders, his name is Derek Piggott. I believe there are several pilots
over 79 flying their own gliders.

As for EU law, all clubs have always insured club owned aircraft for third
party risks, regardless of what the EU says, and the BGA have always
required this.

It was always allowed for clubs and private owners to have aircraft flying
without hull insurance and I know of cases where this has happened in the
past. I imagine this is still true.

You are correct about one thing, this is not a BGA, CAA or EASA problem; it
is an insurance problem.

W.J. (Bill) Dean (U.K.).
Remove "ic" to reply.


"Derek Copeland"
wrote in message ...

In the UK the insurance companies (under EU law third
party insurance is now compulsory) will no longer allow
instructors over 70 to instruct, tug pilots over 75
to fly tugs or anyone over 80 to fly solo in gliders.
Several eminent glider pilots, including a famous and
still very switched on former test pilot, have been
grounded as a result.

This seems jolly unfair on those more elderly pilots
who have looked after themselves and are still fit
and active. I can't see any good reason why you should
have to give up, as long as you can still pass a medical!


Derek Copeland (UK)
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