The US Federal Aviation Administration has set up a forum to investigate if US commercial pilots should be allowed to fly past the age of 60, in line with new International Civil Aviation Organisation rules.
From next month, ICAO is increasing the upper age limit for pilots to 65, provided one of the pilots in the cockpit is under 60.
Medical experts and FAA personnel will be joined by representatives from airlines and pilot unions in the Age 60 Aviation Rulemaking Committee to examine whether the USA should follow suit.
FAA administrator Marion Blakey says: “The FAA must ensure that any future rule change, should it occur, provides an equal or better level of safety to passengers.”