The Health Status of Pilots Over Age 60 at a Japanese Airline

INTRODUCTION: This study examines the health status of pilots above age 60 and its impact on the workforce, focusing on those not returning to work.

METHODS: Pilots from a major Japanese airline reaching age 60 between 2008–2013 were studied for the subsequent 5 yr (“senior pilots”). Disqualifying diseases, application for Aviation Medical Review Board (AMRB), disposition, and grounding periods during the 5 yr were compared with those of a pilot cohort reaching age 55 during the same period (“non-senior pilots”).

RESULTS: There were 263 senior and 202 non-senior pilots. For AMRB cases, cardiovascular diseases were significantly more common in senior pilots compared with non-senior pilots (10.3 vs. 4.0%, respectively). Senior pilots were less likely to apply for AMRB (9.9 vs. 3.5%) or return to work, i.e., the sum of those who were denied by and who did not apply for AMRB (12.2 vs. 5.0%) and also had a higher incidence of cardiovascular diseases (4.6 vs. 1.0%). The grounding period of those not returning to work within the 5-yr study period was significantly longer than the temporary grounding period in both groups of pilots (senior: 22.3 ± 15.7 vs. 6.3 ± 4.7 mo; non-senior: 24.2 ± 17.2 vs. 7.5 ± 8.6 mo, as mean ± SD, respectively).

DISCUSSION: Medical disqualification in senior pilots is more frequent than with younger pilots and may have a greater impact on crew availability. Looking at ways of increasing the number of older pilots returning to work would benefit crew availability as would a focus on the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Takazoe K, Gomi H. The health status of pilots over age 60 at a Japanese airline. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2025; 96(5):392–398.