Pilots: Age Limit

HL Deb 01 November 1995 vol 566 cc165-6WA

Lord Tebbit

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether it is lawful under European law for the Government of Spain to refuse access to Spanish airspace to British commercial pilots over 60 years of age.

Viscount Goschen

Yes. The Civil Aviation Authority has introduced revised age limits for commercial pilots which are in line with proposals made by the Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA). However, until the JAA has agreed and implemented the Joint Aviation Requirement on Flight Crew Licensing (JAR-FCL), other members states, including Spain, are entitled to apply the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. Once JAR-FCL has been implemented, a common age limit for commercial pilots will apply throughout the 23 member states of the JAA.