RIP Bill Anders

[Dave Homewood]

So sad to read that Apollo astronaut Bill Anders has been killed in a plane crash, aged 90. RIP. He dived into the sea in his T-34 Mentor and it exploded.

sanjuanislander.com/news-articles/people/37680/former-astronaut-bill-anders-plane-crashed-between-orcas-and-johns-islands-friday-june-7-took-famous-earthrise-photo

[aeromedia]

Sad. I’ll get pilloried for mentioning this, but it does raise the question, when is too old to hold a pilots license? Yes, age may not have been a factor in this instance. But regardless, in my personal view, 90 is waaay too old to hold a pilots license.
“Know when to hold em, know when to fold em. “

[Dave Homewood]

Just like driving, or many other things in life, I think it depends on the person. We have a number of pilots in their 80s and 90s flying in NZ, and they do so because they have passed their medical and are supported by friends who keep an eye on their welfare. If they are fit, healthy and still sharp of mind, why not?

It also depends on the aeroplanes they are flying. More sedate and forgiving types that they cannot get into too much trouble in, fine. But flying fast, heavy and squirrelly types, or taking up passengers, or flying ultra rare and valuable aeroplanes, you'd want to take a very close look at them. I guess just as you would if they were young pilots. Experience does not always mean you're better than others.