Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether officers in gliding schools who are over 65 years of age and have A2* training qualifications or above will be allowed to undertake staff continuation training in the same way as similarly qualified staff aged 65 years old or younger.

In accordance with Military Aviation Authority (MAA) regulations, pilots over the age of 65 may not operate an aircraft, except with strict restrictions. Therefore, A2* category Gliding Instructors aged 65 or over cannot undertake staff continuation training in the same way as similarly qualified staff below the age of 65.

The relevant MAA regulation (Regulatory Article 2135(3)) states that:

Pilots shall not operate an aircraft once they attain the age of 65 unless the aircraft is fitted with dual controls and is operated with a second pilot who has not yet attained the age of 65. Furthermore, the second pilot shall hold an appropriate qualification and MES (Medical Employment Standard) entitling him to act as pilot in command.