asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they intend to amend the Air Navigation Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1970) to extend the medical validity periods in respect of airline transport pilots' licences. [HL7199]

The validity periods of medical certificates issued to holders of air transport pilots' licences are established in the European Joint Aviation Requirements—Flight Crew Licensing. An amendment to these requirements is currently under consideration. If adopted this would increase the period of validity of medical certificates issued to air transport pilots' licence holders aged between 40 and 60 years who fly multi-pilot aircraft. The UK supports the proposal. Such changes can be implemented without amending the Air Navigation Order.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their response towards proposals within the International Civil Aviation Organisation to raise the age limit for the licensing of airline transport pilots to 65 years; and whether any such decision would become mandatory in French airspace.[HL7391]

The UK welcomes the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s decision in March 2006 to amend the personnel licensing standards contained in Annex 1 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (the Chicago convention) by raising the maximum age limit to 65 for commercial pilots. The increased age limit is applicable only in multi-pilot operations where the other pilot is under 60 years of age and will come into effect on 23 November 2006.

As a contracting state to the Chicago convention, France is obliged to recognise flight crew licences issued by another contracting state provided that the licence meets or exceeds the personnel licensing standards in Annex 1.