Sir - Capt Paul Marskell (Letters, Flight International, 5-11 March, P54) raises a good point - why would any pilot wish to keep flying for an airline way beyond the age of 60?
I think this could be answered by attending any crew-retirement party, at which there are two types of retirees: those who recall the happiest moments of their career and who plan for the next interest, whatever that might be; and others who complain about how unfair it is to retire at 60, with nothing else in the wind. It is the latter pilots who seem to live only a few years after retirement; clearly, it is question of attitude.
Capt Marc Zucal
Selangor, Malaysia
Sir - There are two points to be made in reply to Capt Marskell.
Firstly, it is a well-known fact that life expectancy is significantly reduced by idleness.
Secondly, there are some of us for whom continued (paid) work is a necessity beyond the age of 60. I, for one, cannot live on my Royal Air Force retirement pay and my subsequent working life has been marked by redundancy, or employers going to the wall.
capt DAVID BOWMAN
Daventry,Northamptonshire, UK Sir - Capt Marskell says that "-life expectancy is significantly reduced as one extends a career beyond 60 (or even 55)".
He must accept the fact that for many (like me, at age 70), flying is a joy and keeps me young, active and happy.
MARTIN EVANS
Penarth, South Wales, UK
Source: Flight International