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And finally, possibly the brightest glimmer of hope for an early change is the fact that we are now on the verge of a real medical breakthrough which will likely invalidate many of the assumptions previously relied on by FAA in support of a compulsory retirement age for airline pilots. Members of the Committee recently visited with Dr. Robert Proper of the Lovelace Foundation in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where, for sometime, a detailed physiological study of some 500 pilots has been in process. As a result of this study, we expect that it will soon be firmly established, an accepted by FAA, that valid assumptions about the physical condition of airline pilots as a group or individually simply cannot be based upon chronological age. The results of this study will, in our view, discredit the reasons given by FAA in support of the rule. We are fortunate to be able to report to you that Dr. Proper has accepted our invitation to appear here before you and present his findings personally, and we urge your undivided attention to this matter of the most fundamental importance to all airline pilots.

Much has been accomplished by the Committee in these last nine months to reopen the matter of compulsory retirement and age limitations for airline pilots, and to make crystal clear that the Association will not continue to accept action by an agency of our Government having no reasonable factual basis, which shortens or concludes the careers of airline pilots. While the Committee believes that we are closer now than we were nine months ago to some greater measure of security for the careers of airline pilots, we are well aware that much more remains to be done, particularly now as we proceed into an era of the larger and more sophisticated airplances. And we sincerely hope for the undivided support of each and every member and officer of this Association as we work toward these objectives in your behalf.