It's Official..,We just get better with Age!

Beechlover · March 2nd, 2007, 08:52

I found this and thought this was perfect for all us folks who think we're TOO OLD! HAH!! I'm 43, loving life, working on my CMEL, and I plan to be gainfully employed at a regional this time next year! Cheers

AVFLASH NEWS

February 28, 2007
Older Pilots Perform Better, Study Finds

Email this article |

Print this article

By Mary Grady, Contributing Editor

Researchers studying the impact of aging on performance found that older pilots performed better over time than younger pilots, the American Academy of Neurology reported on Monday. The results show that expert knowledge may offset the impact of old age. The report is sure to be warmly embraced by those now lobbying for a change in FAA rules to raise the mandatory retirement age for airline pilots from 60 to 65. "These findings show the advantageous effect of prior experience and specialized expertise on older adults' skilled cognitive performances," said researcher Joy Taylor of the Stanford/VA Aging Clinical Research Center in California. For the study, researchers tested 118 pilots, ages 40 to 69, annually for three years. All pilots were currently flying, had between 300 and 15,000 hours of total flight time and held a current FAA medical certificate. In flight simulators, pilots were tested on communications, traffic avoidance, scanning cockpit instruments to detect emergencies, and executing a visual approach. The study found that while older pilots initially performed worse than younger pilots, older pilots showed less of a decline over time than younger pilots. The study also found pilots with advanced FAA pilot ratings and certifications showed less performance decline over time, regardless of age. Researchers suggest that pilots with advanced FAA pilot ratings may develop "crystallized intelligence," similar to the way skills are developed by musicians or chess experts, who are able to maintain high performance standards as they age.

ComplexHiAv8r · March 2nd, 2007, 10:10

YEA FOR THE OLD PEOPLE!

42 and trying to build time and get CMEL!

pilotpaul1 · March 2nd, 2007, 22:26

These test are probably run at 9am AND DONT simulate an actual airline schedule of early morning flights one day and redeyes thru the night the next.

VSTMusic · March 3rd, 2007, 05:52

I'll admit I think I agree. age experience and wisdom work hand in hand. Im 20 and have got a lot to learn.

respect your elderly.

March 2nd, 2007, 08:52	#1
Beechlover Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Flyin with my Sweetie!!! Posts: 259	It's Official..,We just get better with Age! I found this and thought this was perfect for all us folks who think we're TOO OLD! HAH!! I'm 43, loving life, working on my CMEL, and I plan to be gainfully employed at a regional this time next year! Cheers AVFLASH NEWSFebruary 28, 2007 Older Pilots Perform Better, Study Finds Email this article \|Print this article By Mary Grady, Contributing Editor Researchers studying the impact of aging on performance found that older pilots performed better over time than younger pilots, the American Academy of Neurology reported on Monday. The results show that expert knowledge may offset the impact of old age. The report is sure to be warmly embraced by those now lobbying for a change in FAA rules to raise the mandatory retirement age for airline pilots from 60 to 65. "These findings show the advantageous effect of prior experience and specialized expertise on older adults' skilled cognitive performances," said researcher Joy Taylor of the Stanford/VA Aging Clinical Research Center in California. For the study, researchers tested 118 pilots, ages 40 to 69, annually for three years. All pilots were currently flying, had between 300 and 15,000 hours of total flight time and held a current FAA medical certificate. In flight simulators, pilots were tested on communications, traffic avoidance, scanning cockpit instruments to detect emergencies, and executing a visual approach. The study found that while older pilots initially performed worse than younger pilots, older pilots showed less of a decline over time than younger pilots. The study also found pilots with advanced FAA pilot ratings and certifications showed less performance decline over time, regardless of age. Researchers suggest that pilots with advanced FAA pilot ratings may develop "crystallized intelligence," similar to the way skills are developed by musicians or chess experts, who are able to maintain high performance standards as they age. __________________ Life is Good! Do what you love, love what you do!

March 2nd, 2007, 10:10	#2
ComplexHiAv8r Old Skool Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: OH or is it MX?? Posts: 4,509	Re: It's Official..,We just get better with Age! YEA FOR THE OLD PEOPLE! 42 and trying to build time and get CMEL! __________________ Oh, to be home again! Get Busy Living, or Get Busy Dying....

March 2nd, 2007, 22:26	#3
pilotpaul1 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1	Re: It's Official..,We just get better with Age! These test are probably run at 9am AND DONT simulate an actual airline schedule of early morning flights one day and redeyes thru the night the next.

March 3rd, 2007, 05:52	#4
VSTMusic Newbie Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Prescott Posts: 10	Re: It's Official..,We just get better with Age! I'll admit I think I agree. age experience and wisdom work hand in hand. Im 20 and have got a lot to learn. respect your elderly.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode