oldest pilots

Actually Bill, we are still waiting to see what happens
in respect to privately owned gliders. My most recent
policy renewal for my own glider included a number
of age related restrictions that weren't present in
previous policies, e.g. the claim excess is doubled
for pilots over the age of 65, and instructors are
only covered up to 69.

It is true that you may instruct beyond the age of
70 with a JAR Medical, but it is so strict these days
that I suspect that not many over 70s, or even over
60s, would pass.

As far as I know, and I am sure that people will correct
me if I'm wrong, DP is the only glider pilot aged over
80 who is still allowed to fly in the UK. This is probably
because no-one would dare ground him!

Derek Copeland
--------------------------------

At 13:24 04 April 2006, W.J. \bill\ Dean \u.K.\. wrote:
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)
-----------------------