Accidents resulting from medical issues

The problem is that incapacitating events are only loosely correlated with

age. Heart attacks can strike apparently fit 30 year olds (one of my
brothers in law is a case in point; ex Royal Marine, age 38, passed a
public
transport driving medical less than a month before dropping dead of a
previously undetected heart problem. The actual number of medical
induced glider accidents is so low that we will never get any statistical
evidence to give a science-based numerical age limit.

My observation is that most ageing pilots do give up gliding when they
decide their reflexes/eyesight or some other reason make them query their
ability to continue. That's typically somewhere between 65 and 80, with
exceptions either side. Personally, I've only been gliding for 58 years
and
still have more to do - until I decide to stop.



At 13:24 11 September 2018, Mike the Strike wrote:
Tough to be aware of an underlying condition that is undiscovered,
symptomless and undiagnosed - perhaps just like the majority of medical
issues that catch you unawares.

Maybe we should all self-ground as we age, but at what age - 65?, 70?,
80?

Mike

On Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at 7:15:10 AM UTC-7, pete purdie wrote:
The problem is that incapacitating events are only loosely correlated with
age.


My friend started asking me to be a safety pilot in his Mooney when he reached his mid 80s. After one flight, he said he would be away the following week. "I'm going skiing" he explained.

On Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at 7:33:04 AM UTC-7, wrote:
On Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at 7:15:10 AM UTC-7, pete purdie wrote:
The problem is that incapacitating events are only loosely correlated with
age.


My friend started asking me to be a safety pilot in his Mooney when he reached his mid 80s. After one flight, he said he would be away the following week. "I'm going skiing" he explained.

I flew for almost 40 years and always had said I would retire at 70, I did!! I do miss it but don't regret it.

Gary Kemp "NK"

I long ago concluded "I'm OK with sudden/unexpected single-pilot deaths - mine
or others - in the general aviation/sport-flying community," (even though they
likely "fuzz up" explicit accident conclusions. Kinda-sorta related, "for all
practical purposes," sudden death vs. chronological age is only loosely
correlated; IMO aging realities have a *big* standard deviation...as has
previously been anecdotally noted in this thread.

At the same time - personalizing things a bit more - I've long held the view
that I never wanted to become one of those pilots "we all know at the home
gliderport" who I felt "should hang up his spurs," for general safety's sake.

Both entirely personal views, which work for me.

Bob W.

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Good post.
Age has many meanings. While statistics may state a cutoff, some go a lot longer and some are WAY overdue.
A lot depends on the pilot and whom they respect.
Some is genetics some is diet/exercise.
Please, listen to those that may have valid input and put aside your pride in determining your status.
I am approaching 60, I may not like some comments, but I will weigh them.
Yes, over 40 years flying gliders, ex CFIG, gold with 2 diamonds, couple thousand hours in sailplanes, nothing more than torn off gear doors.....
"Suck it up buttercup"...,, listen to those that may have valid info.
Flying solo, sucks for your family and friends, but you may be happy.
Flying rides or instruction, different ballgame.

Just something to think of.
Not judging one way or another. Sorta YOUR choice as PIC!

On Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at 2:30:10 PM UTC-4, Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot) wrote:
Flying solo, sucks for your family and friends, but you may be happy.

Spare a thought for how accidents affect the rest of the community and how many potential new pilots might decide that the sport is too dangerous and walk away.

On 9/11/2018 4:14 PM, wrote:
Spare a thought for how accidents affect the rest of the community and how many potential new pilots might decide that the sport is too dangerous and walk away.

Precisely! Your actions can affect the entire soaring community in a
very direct way. Read this article and you will see what I mean!
https://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/new...-231457-1.html


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I retired at 58 or 59, but I'm still flying at 70.Â* No end in sight.

On 9/11/2018 10:27 AM, gkemp wrote:
On Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at 7:33:04 AM UTC-7, wrote:
On Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at 7:15:10 AM UTC-7, pete purdie wrote:
The problem is that incapacitating events are only loosely correlated with
age.

My friend started asking me to be a safety pilot in his Mooney when he reached his mid 80s. After one flight, he said he would be away the following week. "I'm going skiing" he explained.
I flew for almost 40 years and always had said I would retire at 70, I did!! I do miss it but don't regret it.

Gary Kemp "NK"

--
Dan, 5J

On Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at 9:27:28 AM UTC-7, gkemp wrote:
On Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at 7:33:04 AM UTC-7, wrote:
On Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at 7:15:10 AM UTC-7, pete purdie wrote:
The problem is that incapacitating events are only loosely correlated with
age.


My friend started asking me to be a safety pilot in his Mooney when he reached his mid 80s. After one flight, he said he would be away the following week. "I'm going skiing" he explained.

I flew for almost 40 years and always had said I would retire at 70, I did!! I do miss it but don't regret it.

Gary Kemp "NK"

Age is clearly a general indicator, but a very imprecise one. I'd say that good health, which we all recognize, or can be measured by a medical certificate, is enough to carry on flying, both solo and with passengers, no matter what the age.

Absolutely agree about age, but I have to disagree that a medical certificate is a guarantee of good health, since underlying conditions may be hidden or unknown. I point to the incidence of commercial airline pilots who die on the job - not high, but not zero either.

Mike