Let Experienced Pilots Fly
NOTAM #13
“EXPERIENCE MATTERS”
August 12, 2025
Dear Colleagues,
**During the Clay & Buck Show August 7th, Senator Marsha Blackburn was interviewed on her announcement to run for governor of Tennessee.
Among the various topics she addressed, one was the pilot experience shortage. When asked, she discussed her work on legislation to raise the pilot retirement age. In reference to airline pilots she said: “Its silly to believe that at 64 they are capable but when the clock ticks over on their birthday, they are no longer capable to fly…” Sen. Blackburn stated: “…I will continue to work on this legislation until I am sworn in as governor.” The Tennessee Governor’s election takes place November 3, 2026. We are very bullish on re-introduction of the LEPF Act as soon as Congress re-convenes in September. LEPF has no doubt of Senator Blackburn’s commitment to eliminating/raising the pilot retirement age.
**The private luncheon honoring Congressman Troy Nehls is scheduled for August 28, 2025, in Houston, TX. The LEPF PAC is hosting this event, as we did for Senator Blackburn. Separately, here is a link to Congressman Nehls’ general fundraising page, where he aptly declares himself the “House Champion for LEPF” and calls on Congress to “Raise the Age and Let Experienced Pilots Fly”. https://secure.winred.com/troynehls/chairmannehlslepf
(Suggested donation for LEPF members is 500.00. Special LEPF hotel rate available, For more information click here.)
The relationships LEPF has built since our president, Barry Kendrick, collaborated in writing the original bill, “The Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act” in 2022 is why LEPF is recognized as the leading voice on eliminating/raising the mandatory pilot retirement age in Congress.
**Recently, during the EAA Air Venture airshow in Oshkosh, WI, Transportation Secretary Duffy addressed the crowd on the issue of MOSAIC (Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification), which is a significant update to light-sport aircraft regulations, Sec. Duffy said: “…these rules remove the weight-based parameters in favor of performance-based rules.”
We couldn’t agree more.
- The arbitrary age limit for pilots should be replaced with “performance-based” rules.
- Our profession is the most highly scrutinized profession in the world, bar none.
- The every 6-month FAA medical evaluations, yearly EKGs, every 9 month simulator evaluations, quarterly online training and testing, and annual line-check evaluations are designed to measure technical, medical, cognitive, and decision-making skills and performance.
- A birthday means nothing to a professional airline pilot’s ability to perform. The only thing a birthday represents is the longevity required to reach the highest levels of experience, judgement, and aviation decision making skills.
- Airline pilot retirement should mirror MOSAIC philosophy and let pilots fly based on “performance” metrics, rather than an arbitrary age.
Read Sec. Duffy’s comments on transportation infrastructure here: https://www.constructiondive.com/news/infrastructure-transportation-reauthorization-duffy-trump/753542/
You will notice that the first item on the Secretary’s agenda is:
Enhance Transportation Safety
Eliminating/Raising the pilot retirement age will go a long way in transportation safety by retaining the most experienced pilots on America’s flight decks.
** LET YOUR REFUND FUEL YOUR FUTURE Recently ALPA announced another dues refund. This is a great opportunity to support LEPF in helping our union brothers and sisters remain in the profession for which they are so passionate. Investing your dues refund in LEPF is an investment in your own future earnings. One thing you can be certain of is LEPF represents all ages and seniority, because ALL will benefit from eliminating/raising the age. An extra 5 years is estimated to be worth approximately $5M in additional income and 401K growth.
Please consider using your ALPA dues refund to support our (your) cause.
**We need (even more) pilot residents of Pennsylvania to sign a letter to Senator Fetterman asking him to meet with us, as constituents, asking him to support LEPF’s work to eliminate/raise the age. If you are a PA resident please click this link and support this effort.
** KEEP THE AME LETTERS COMING! We continue to increase the number of AME’s that support eliminating the mandatory pilot retirement age. These signed letters will be very helpful when we are on the Hill.
EXPERIENCE MATTERS!
Thank you
LEPF