How does a military or commercial pilot retire from flying?

What makes a pilot retire from flying? Age, promoted, personal choice?





How does it work in the military%26gt; meaning how does the AF tell a AF pilot, OK you have 3 months left and then you are finished or however it goes.|||Most pilots in the military after attaining many hours and years in the cockpit will have their services used as a flight trainer. Most people who begin the military as a pilot will be assigned to some sort of aviation duties, whether it may be in charge of pilots, aircraft, equipment, or training. As they move up in ranks, they'll be given more administrative duties so their time in the cockpit will be lessened or may not exist. People who retire from the military will probably go off and fly corporate jets or for airlines, so they may or may not retire from aviation entirely. The military's base retirement time is generally 20 years, several people have more.





It can be a personal choice as well, I know of a retired USAF retired Lt Col who trained people in fighter jets, as soon as he retired he folded his wings. Didn't want to do it anymore, was actually tired of it. It can be that the stresses involved with aviation (there are quite a few) got to him, maybe he just didn't want to anymore, was just bored of it.





Retirement may be involuntarily as well. Many pilots are put out of commission due to factors regarding health- eyesight gets poor, heart attack, a particular surgery, high blood pressure, depression...many factors. They may be required to turn in their pilots certificate. Now, with that said, they can- pending a medical have their license reinstated or maybe have a lower license established. Several people who cannot pass a 1st class medical, can pass a 3rd class; but then they will be restricted to PPL privileges only.





It has to be the worst feeling in the world to be told you cannot do something you enjoy, flying takes passion and I particularly only want to go out on my terms, no one else's.|||With airlines, it is generally age limit -


So you know well in advance when that time will come -





I had planned to stay as instructor, but the 747-200 got retired -


I am not 747-400 qualified - Old dogs do not learn new tricks -





So, I transitioned to flying my L-21 tow airplanes...


No retirement age on these - unless I lost my medical -