Congressman Johnson introduces legislation to raise the mandatory retirement age for commercial pilots

South Dakota congressman Dusty Johnson along with fellow Republican Chip Roy of Texas have introduced a bill aimed at alleviating the nation’s pilot shortage. The bill “Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act” would raise the mandatory retirement age for commercial pilots from 65 to 67. Currently pilots are forced to retire at 65. That mandatory age was set by congress in 2007. According to a release from Congressman Johnson we are set to outpace qualified pilots with 12,000 expected to take to the skies in 2023, while 14,000 are set to be forced to retire.