I read your original article about retirement for the over-60s (Flight International, 24-30 September) with some disquiet because the facts belie your expressed opinions. The letters generated by your article have been most welcome because they have brought out the truth of the situation very clearly - ie, that there are no sustainable reasons for the imposition of an arbitrary non-overflight rule for captains based on a chronological age.
Clive Kerr (Flight International, 12-18 November) suggested that a "concerted effort to change this rule should be made now". The Independent Pilots Association (IPA) has been working towards this goal for years. The IPA has a petition before the European Parliament Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, which it is hoped will bring some clarity to the situation and add pressure to persuade the countries concerned to rescind this rule.
Trevor Newton Independent Pilots Association Haywards Heath, UK
Source: Flight International
