Let Experienced Pilots Fly
Experience Matters
Dear Colleagues,
LEPF hosted a luncheon for Senator Marsha Blackburn in Nashville, TN on Friday, May 30, 2025.
In attendance were the LEPF Board of Directors, other LEPF members, and a special guest and supporter of LEPF Capt. Robert “Hoot” Gibson.
We had a wonderful time and Sen. Blackburn could not have been more accommodating answering everyone’s questions and providing us all with her vision of eliminating the pilot retirement age.
She believes the current FAA medical and re-current training requirements for airline pilots are the metrics to rely on determining a pilot’s ability to command an airliner, and not a birthday.
She pledged to work directly with LEPF President Barry Kendrick to pass legislation to eliminate the mandatory retirement age as quickly as possible.
She was very gracious with her time and throughout the event continued to encourage all to ask her questions, which she answered very candidly.
Our lobbyist gave a detailed report on the Senator’s commitment and action items to the group, as we move forward with our strategic plan.
The Senator is currently gathering bi-partisan support to her letter to the State and Transportation Secretaries urging the US Mission at ICAO to take a more proactive role at ICAO. LEPF was consulted on the drafting of this letter.
LEPF is also advocating that the vacant position of ICAO Ambassador be filled without delay. It has been vacant for almost three years and it is imperative this position be filled. It requires confirmation by the US Senate, and would be very beneficial to our cause that it be filled before the next ICAO Assembly meeting in September of this year.
Industry legend, Hoot Gibson, retired Southwest captain, astronaut, test pilot, Reno Air Race champion, and speed record holder, has had a relationship with Sen. Blackburn and is a constituent of hers. He supports our mission and informed the Senator that he was forced to retire at age 60. Incidentally, at the age of 69 he was the Reno Unlimited Champion and at 78 today, he still flies experimental aircraft and warbirds.
LEPF Capt. Barry Kendrick will be participating in an interview with Senator Blackburn, hosted by a well known airline pilot and social media influencer soon. Standby for that announcement.
It is important to recognize that the current relationship between our Congressional supporters and LEPF is a product developed since the drafting of the first bill, “Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act” in the summer of 2021. That bill was co-written by our president Barry Kendrick. Those relationships are the foundation of our work today. Just like “experience matters”, relationships matter, as well.
We continue to build on those relationships while making new ones, and that is the sole mission of LEPF on Capitol Hill, working every day to eliminate or raise the age.
Our website, our NOTAMS, and our newsletters are the official and sole voice of LEPF. Do not be distracted by misinformation. We are always available to answer any of your questions, as we strive to provide you a transparent analysis and mission status of our advocacy and events, while not compromising our strategy.
In closing, we want to thank Senator Blackburn for her pledge to work with us in eliminating or raising the age. We had a wonderful time with her and are appreciative of her confidence in allowing us to participate in her internal efforts with her staff.
We also want to thank our special guest, Capt. Hoot Gibson for joining us in Nashville and being a strong advocate of ours. It was a real “hoot” to have him at the table. Special thanks to LEPF board member Capt. David McCallan for inviting Hoot to our event.
Last, but not least, we want to thank those of you that traveled to Nashville and contributed to this wonderful luncheon, honoring Senator Blackburn. You are the backbone of our organization and your support will enable us to bring this effort to a successful conclusion.
On an administrative note, before the luncheon, LEPF held its “in person” annual Board of Directors meeting where we further discussed our strategic plan with our lobbyist, Mr. Ray Bucheger. We also held our PAC board meeting after the luncheon.
During the evening, we hosted a social hour as a means to show our appreciation to all who took the time from their busy schedules to attend our event.
Stay tuned for further information as we prepare for further advocacy efforts such as “call to action” (C2A), OpEds, and personal constituent visits. We are in the process of planning similar events in other states, as well. We welcome all supporters who wish to join us in our effort.
Below are pictures of our Board of Directors with Senator Blackburn, our board with Hoot Gibson, and a picture of all in attendance.
Thank you for your continued involvement in fighting this discrimination against our profession.
Experience Matters!
On behalf of the LEPF Board of Directors
Capt. Barry Kendrick, President LEPF
barrykendrick@raisethepilotage.org
PS: We greatly appreciate any contributions at: raisethepilotage.com
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| Photo captions: #1 (top of page) LEPF Lunch honored guest Senator Marsha Blackburn and special guest Robert “Hoot” Gibson are flanked by some luncheon attendees. Photo #2: The LEPF Board and Senator Marsha Blackburn L-R Captain Carlos Rodriguez, Captain Christina Halli, Captain Jayson Baron, The Honorable Marsha Blackburn, Captain John Hedin, Captain Barry Kendrick, Lauri-Ellen Smith, Captain Brian Brackeen, Captain David McCallan. Photo #3: Senator Blackburn answers attendees’ questions during lunch. Photo #4 (bottom photo) Special Guest Hoot Gibson (3rd from left) is joined by the LEPF Board of Directors. |