Let Experienced Pilots Fly
NOTAM #12
“EXPERIENCE MATTERS”
July 31, 2025
Dear Colleagues,
**Your Board of Directors met on July 28, 2025. During the meeting, the board was briefed on the latest legislative efforts, our strategic plan, and current events germane to our work.
**On July 29, 2025, Senator Cruz, chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee, made an announcement regarding the introduction of the “Rotor Act”. This bill is to address the Potomac crash on January 29, 2025. If passed by Congress, it mandates that all commercial and military aircraft have ADS-B IN and OUT, installed, operational, and also directs when and how military aircraft will operate ADS.
Here is a link to the executive summary of the “Rotor Act” https://www.commerce.senate.gov/services/files/1C1D2B0A-A5D7-4928-AE34-6A4758A0A883
Here is the link to the announcement video. https://www.commerce.senate.gov/2025/7/chairman-cruz-to-host-press-conference-on-new-aviation-safety-legislation The video begins around the 0:28:08 mark.
You will notice that Senator Cruz’ opening remarks include “American skies must be as safe as possible, and our duty as lawmakers is to ensure they are.” LEPF could not agree more with Senator Cruz. Eliminating/raising the pilot retirement age is crucial to increasing safety by retaining highly experienced pilots, in an effort to close the experience gap in our entry level airline cockpits.
DOT Secretary Duffy remarked “Focus on safety should’ve always been the focus, and I think in the past people became complacent. Leaders became complacent and we had a warning of near-misses in DC airspace.” “The cost to deploy this technology is not that great…We can drive safety way higher at a very affordable cost.” Again, LEPF could not agree more, since the absence of accidents has never meant our skies are as safe as they could be. Additionally, eliminating/raising the pilot retirement age immediately increases safety by retaining highly experienced pilots, at ZERO COST.
FAA Administrator Bedford stated “…we need to put what’s in the best interest of the traveling public ahead of any of our own personal interest, perhaps.” LEPF agrees with Administrator Bedford and provides a solution to the lack of experience of our entry level airline pilots. The experience gap is well known, and the FAA calls it “green on green”.
Senator Moran, member of the Senate Commerce Committee remarked “We are going to have a lot of work to do with FAA, DOD, and all of us in Congress to get all of the issues that appear to be developing in air traffic safety handled and improved.” LEPF stands ready to help improve the safety of our skies by advocating for the elimination of or raising the mandatory pilot retirement age.
Our National Airspace System (NAS) in commercial aviation is only as safe as the least experienced pilot. Today’s experience gap has been speaking to us for many months, through multiple incidents and accidents. We cannot delay or ignore any means to close the pilot experience gap, and our traveling public rightfully demands the highest level of experience in our cockpits.
NTSB Chairwoman Homendy convened a three-day investigative hearing on the Potomac crash on July 30-Aug 1, 2025. This hearing is a fact gathering proceeding to elicit expert testimony.
**As always, we will pursue any and every opportunity to attach our provision to the “Rotor Act”. You can rest assured that the relationships that LEPF has developed over the years have placed us in a position to personally advocate and encourage our allies to introduce an amendment to the “Rotor Act” should it move forward in the Senate Commerce Committee. We are in touch with Senator Cruz’ staff and will keep you updated as this develops.
**The private luncheon honoring Congressman Troy Nehls is scheduled for August 28, 2025, in Houston, TX. This is an opportunity to recognize Congressman Nehls’ staunch support for eliminating/raising the pilot retirement age, as he has called it “arbitrary”. An announcement with further details is forthcoming, and we would like to encourage you to attend. A surprise guest is in the works, and you don’t want to miss it!
**If you are a pilot who lives or works in Pennsylvania, please contact us by clicking here. We are developing a letter to Senator John Fetterman from constituents.
**Keep the AME letters coming, as we continue to increase the number of AMEs that support eliminating the mandatory pilot retirement age.
Experience Matters!
LEPF