New York Backs Off Pilot Age Limit

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New York legislators have removed a bill that would have barred anyone younger than 17 from flying any type of aircraft in the state. FAA regs allow teens as young as 14 to fly balloons and gliders solo and also allow 16-year-olds to solo powered planes, but the now-defunct proposal would have set the limit in New York at 17 regardless of aircraft type. AOPA credits angry New York pilots, who contacted their state assembly members, for getting the bill quashed. “Vocal New York pilots were the key to preventing this requirement,” said AOPA Vice President of Regional Affairs Greg Pecoraro. “Legislators specifically told me that they were pulling the bill because they had heard from pilots who opposed it.” AOPA is still battling the New York law that requires background checks on student pilots. It has launched a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the law and is also lobbying state politicians.

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