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The ageing Pilot

The ageing Pilot . Average Age of Pilots USA. John M Miller Died in June 2008 aged 102 Still flying aged 101. Physical Changes. Strength and range of movements Posture and balance Sleep regulation / prostate problems Thermoregulation Vision Auditory. Strength and Motion.

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The ageing Pilot

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  1. The ageing Pilot

  2. Average Age of Pilots USA

  3. John M Miller Died in June 2008 aged 102Still flying aged 101

  4. Physical Changes • Strength and range of movements • Posture and balance • Sleep regulation / prostate problems • Thermoregulation • Vision • Auditory

  5. Strength and Motion • Lose about 20 % of strength • Older workers can do the same tasks but they may be working closer to their maximum. • Hydraulics failure ? • Asymmetric flying ? • Loss of flexibility such as reduced neck motion • Lookout ?

  6. Posture and Balance • More difficult to maintain good posture and balance Solution is to pay attention to cockpit comfort and general ergonomics

  7. Sleep Regulation Affects both length and quality Disruptions are frequent & more noticeable More affected by light and noise

  8. Sleep Regulation Solutions: • More time between extended shifts • Awareness of issue & effects of fatigue • Cockpit temperature control • Keep tasks interesting

  9. Vision • Peripheral vision • Visual acuity both near (Presbyopia) and distance • Depth perception • Contrast sensitivity • Cataracts • Changes more obvious when combined • with poor lighting and glare

  10. Age and Hearing

  11. Auditory • Unable to hear higher frequencies – Presbycusis and NIHL • Difficult to pick out one voice or sound in a noisy environment • Can affect how verbal instructions are heard

  12. Cognitive Skills • Fluid intelligence declines inductive reasoning, selective attention, dual task activities, vigilance and information processing. • “Crystallised” intelligence, verbal tasks and vocabulary remains the same or improves.

  13. Evidence for Age Related Pilot Performance Decrement • No good accident data to support age limit • Sudden incapacitation remains unlikely and is mitigated by presence of co-pilot • No clear relationship between age, cognitive function and pilot performance

  14. Aerospace Medical Association • August 2004 “On viewing the existing evidence, the AMA concludes there is insufficient medical evidence to support restriction of pilot certification based on age alone”. Current International Situation Move from 60 y – 65 y old limits for ATPL

  15. What Can You Do as the Flying Instructor / Flight Examiner ? • Look for Problems with: • General Mobility • Strength • Vision • Hearing • Cognition

  16. The Last Resort

  17. The Last Resort

  18. Questions ? Tzanfleuron Glacier – Switzerland – 11’000 ft

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