Increasing the mandatory retirement age of airline pilots is now in the President's hands, after the Senate voted late Dec. 12 to pass a measure increasing the age from 60 to 65.

"Forcing our nation's pilots to retire at 60 is out-of-date and only succeeds in removing our most experienced pilots from our skies," said Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, D-Hawaii, chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee.

The law would change Federal Aviation Administration regulations from the 1960s, and would be in line with mandatory retirement age requirements adopted by the Civil Aviation Organization in 2006.

The FAA has indicated it plans to promulgate a rule following that precedent.

"Pilots are valued for their experience," said Rep. Robin Hayes, R-N.C. "The 60 year-old retirement law arbitrarily pushes our most seasoned pilots out the door with no regard to their true skills."

The legislation requires pilots who have reached the age of 60 to have a medical certificate renewed every six months, continue participation in FAA pilot training, and other safe guards.