are there any bush pilots older than 72 still working?

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oldaviator
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are there any bush pilots older than 72 still working?

Post by oldaviator »

I am 72 and still workin and I was wondering if perhaps there was someone older?
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Loner
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Re: are there any bush pilots older than 72 still working?

Post by Loner »

Congratulations!
I don’t know the answer but you should write a book! I am sure you have some amazing stories to share and inspire youngsters
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P180
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Re: are there any bush pilots older than 72 still working?

Post by P180 »

I know of a guy who is 72 still flying commercial I.F.R. and I also know a guy in his 80,s still flying as a PPL.
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digits_
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Re: are there any bush pilots older than 72 still working?

Post by digits_ »

oldaviator wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 1:05 pm I am 72 and still workin and I was wondering if perhaps there was someone older?
So did you start flying at 70 then or are you just crazy? :mrgreen:
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Cat Driver
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Re: are there any bush pilots older than 72 still working?

Post by Cat Driver »

I retired at seventy because I wanted to have more home life, I figured fifty one years flying for a living was enough.

It has been a couple of years since I flew but I am still as healthy as ever so if I want to fly something again all I need is go and get my medical renewed.

By the way I wish I had retired sooner. :mrgreen:
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Re: are there any bush pilots older than 72 still working?

Post by Schooner69A »

.:

In two months, I'll have 79 in the bag. I was flying up until a month ago when a little murmer was found in the pump. However, that little problem should be solvable in the near future and I expect to continue thrashing around in my RV-7A.
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Re: are there any bush pilots older than 72 still working?

Post by Cat Driver »

Age is part hereditary and part state of mind.

I am waiting for my friend to buy his Hughes 300 and then I will do some more flying until I get bored with it again.

Will you be 79 or have been flying for 79 years?
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Schooner69A
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Re: are there any bush pilots older than 72 still working?

Post by Schooner69A »

.:


"or have been flying for 79 years?"



Next you'll be asking me if I was good buds with Wop May! ('>0)

Born about 6 months before the start of WW II...
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8675309
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Re: are there any bush pilots older than 72 still working?

Post by 8675309 »

There's a guy who was 78 this past summer who flies for Osprey and another one a bit younger by a couple years
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Floatinghog
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Re: are there any bush pilots older than 72 still working?

Post by Floatinghog »

What are the actual restrictions regarding flying commercially after 65? Is it non-passenger operations only, including multi-crew (no single pilot) with a copilot younger that 60? I can never remember. I met a group of really nice older (65+) fire bomber pilots up in Watson Lake who were all happily flying bombers in the summer!!
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beaverpuq
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Re: are there any bush pilots older than 72 still working?

Post by beaverpuq »

I believe there a guy in Cochrane who flew an Otter till he was 80-ish, a local legend, and I was told that the insurance company finally said no, not transport. That was probably 10 years ago.
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Re: are there any bush pilots older than 72 still working?

Post by valleyboy »

The only age restrictions are in international flying under 705 or part 121 Age is 65 but there are no age restrictions within Canada. Pass a medical drive an aeroplane. Collective agreements did have compulsory retirement but most have been challenged and the age is 65 at level one because of flying outside the country.
Me I'm 7 1 years young - have given up the heavy metal and am honing my skills still and mentoring the next generation domestically on 704/705 aircraft.
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Re: are there any bush pilots older than 72 still working?

Post by Heliian »

There have been quite a few over 70. Some just can't get enough.
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Re: are there any bush pilots older than 72 still working?

Post by sheephunter »

Not older than 72 but I sure like to see him show up at the dock at camp every summer. He is a great role model and an awesome individual. Wish him the best in continuing the traditions. Thanks, Johnny.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/kuu ... -1.3378311
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beaverbob
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Re: are there any bush pilots older than 72 still working?

Post by beaverbob »

I am glad to find this page. I'm 68 now and was going to retire at 70th birthday in 2019. As I get closer to 70, I find myself wanting to work past that age by a few years. Kind of nice double dipping and I think work is keeping me healthy. How do you quit something you have done all your life, since 18, when still healthy as can be and on the best job I can imagine for your age?
So, here's to a few more good years of flying the old mighty Beaver around the Gulf Islands of BC..Incidentally, it is getting harder to fill Seaplane positions these days. Anybody interested in Seaplane flying is almost guaranteed work.

Bob Bates.
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Re: are there any bush pilots older than 72 still working?

Post by redlaser »

There are several guys in the Toronto area that are over 72 and are still working as commercial pilots,
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Re: are there any bush pilots older than 72 still working?

Post by North Shore »

beaverbob wrote: Sat Dec 23, 2017 9:23 pm .Incidentally, it is getting harder to fill Seaplane positions these days. Anybody interested in Seaplane flying is almost guaranteed work.

Bob Bates.

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