William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare – All the world's a Stage (from As You Like It) ) William Shakespeare All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players: They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages.

The sixth age shifts Into the lean and slipper'd pantaloon, With spectacles on nose and pouch on side, His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice, Turning again toward childish treble, pipes And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all, That ends this strange eventful history, Is second childishness and mere oblivion, Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.

The ageing Pilot

Number of Pilots By Age USA

Average Age of Pilots USA

Some Thoughts… I’m slowing down I keep gaining weight as I get older I’m not as strong as I used to be My memory isn’t good anymore My body is aching I’m getting too old for this… I’m getting older (I am helpless)

Ageing The human lifespan is increasing The burden of absolute morbidity increasing Ageing is irreversible and genetic There is nothing the individual can do We need more cures for disease and ageing Drug/therapy/genetic manipulation may be discovered for disease and ageing eventually

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

 Aging Pilots: Solutions Why look at this issue? What are characteristics of aging workers? Is this a safety issue? What can you do?

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

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 ?

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

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

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

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

Age and Hearing

Auditory 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

Cognitive Skills Learn differently Based on what they already know Past experience with training and education Some studies report that they may learn slower (??) but show no difference in performance/accuracy once material is learned

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.

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

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

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

ProblemCheck For Strength & MobilityAbility to operate controls etc during an emergency – Hydraulic failure Ability to maintain a good lookout VisionAble to read instruments and charts and observe objects in conditions of glare or reduced contrast sensitivity. Carries and uses spectacles if necessary HearingAble to hear your instructions and accurately interpret ATC and comms from other aircraft CognitionAbility to multi-task, cope with emergencies and problem solve whilst performing pilot duties

The Last Resort

Questions ? Tzanfleuron Glacier – Switzerland – 11’000 ft