Who We Are
The Professional Pilots Federation (PPF) was incorporated in 1991, for the singular purpose of eliminating or amending the Age 60 Rule, allowing all affected pilots to continue their careers beyond their sixtieth birthday if they should choose to do so. FAR 121.383(c) prohibits any pilot from operating a plane under Part 121, and certain Part 135 pilots, past age 60.
We are a grassroots, non-profit organization. Officers and directors are not reimbursed for their time, transportation, hotels , meals and ordinary expenses. Our time and efforts are donated for the cause.
In 1995, after the PPF filed petitions for change based on an FAA Public Meeting to collect comments from the industry, DOT Secretary Pena, with ALPA President Randy Babbitt at his side, announced retention of the Age 60 Rule and the expansion of the Rule to include Commuter pilots flying aircraft with 10 seats or more. This decision was announced in the face of 83 percent disapproval of the Rule voiced at a Public Meeting.
A Public Meeting was announced after an FAA funded study, through their Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI) determined that "we saw no hint of an increase in accident rate for pilots of scheduled air carriers as they neared their 60th birthday." Stating that, "Our analyses provided no support for the hypotheses that the pilots of scheduled air carriers had increased accident rates as they neared the age of 60" and concluded "This suggests that one could cautiously increase the retirement age". The FAA, displeased with the findings, simply ignored them.
| The PPF has sponsored three court
actions to date. The first, in 1996, involved an appeal of the FAA's
decision not to initiate rulemaking for changing the Age 60 Rule,
and to further expand the Rule effecting certain commuter pilots.
The second was an age discrimination action against a major carrier
for forcing retirement. We reasoned that it should be illegal for a
third party (FAA) to force an employer to violate the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). The third, and most recent case challenged the Rule on the FAA's authority to deny exemptions to the Rule on pilots supremely able to pass physical and mental testing. We were denied by the court in all three instances. |
Two of our cases were appealed to the Supreme Court. We were refused a hearing on both occasions, not because our cases lacked merit, but simply on account of backlog. The Supreme Court can only hear approximately one percent of the requested reviews.
The point of law in denying our cases is that the court must defer to the Agency except when fraud or abuse of power is charged. In all previous cases the court was bound by law to defer to the FAA. This time will be different.
We have initiated another legal action (June 13, 2002) with the mandatory first step of requesting exemptions to the Rule for ten of our members. The FAA should respond within 120 days. We expect the usual denial, after which we will file for appeal with the D.C. Court of Appeals. This case is our strongest yet, citing many instances of FAA fraud and deceit in concocting evidence to support their position. The Petition and Exhibits may be viewed or downloaded from our home page. The evidence is incontrovertible.
The PPF organized efforts in Congress, held numerous "Blitzes" whereupon members walked the halls of the House and Senate and met with our Congresspersons. The PPF has sponsored mass mailings by members to educate elected officials to the inequity, and discriminatory aspect of forced pilot retirement. The House Appropriations Committee proposed a bill in our favor in 1996, which was defeated by an ALPA effort.
Although frustrating, these denials have strengthened our resolve and unified PPF members who have overwhelmingly voted to continue efforts to see this illegal, antiquated and discriminatory Rule changed.
Call or email one of our BOD members for more information.
Bert Yetman, President, SWA....... (817) 481-5318 or 70641.1413@compuserve.com
Phil Nash, Vice President, CAL...... (303) 771-9888 or pbn757@aol.com
Al DeSa, USA................................. (410) 242-3769 or capnal@comcast.net
Jim Ferguson.................................... (949) 492-2020 or jjfergsc@aol.com
Dave Skilling, NWA......................... (770) 429-9955 or abbydavid@compuserve.com
Alan Fishback, CAL..........................(281) 359-2285 or afishback@kingwoodcable.com
Jim Harrod, UPS...............................(918) 457-5444 ormailto:jim@avart.com
Paul Turner III, USA..........................(704) 510-3612 or 73634.2734@compuserve.com
Ed Kirkpatrick, SWA.........................(209) 482-2960 or 72032.504@compuserve.com
Bill Myers, UAL................................ (706) 323-1059 or caroline2967@earthlink.net
