Who Am I?

My name is Wayne Bayley and I joined British Island Airways in 1976. I flew 50-seater turboprop flights before moving to Air Europe, where I flew my first jet airliner and piloted transatlantic flights and routes to Asia. I was the first pilot to fly the Boeing 787 Dreamliner from the UK to Barbados. I have almost 26,000 hours of flying time experience and have operated 6 different types of commercial airliner.

However, I'm also 65 and due to Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) rules I have been forced to retire despite passing all medical and competency examinations at an above average level. 

I'm bringing a legal challenge against the Civil Aviation Authority which could result in a change to the arbitrary rule that UK pilots must retire at 65. But I can't bring this challenge alone and need your help. Please make a contribution to support my legal action and share this page on Facebook and Twitter. 

My Case

I am bringing a Judicial Review against the Civil Aviation Authority in the context of forced retirement at 65. My legal team will argue that the enforced retirement age is arbitrary and that the CAA has failed to comply with its duties under the Equality Act 2010.

Waste of Experience

Because of my age I am prevented from flying as a commercial pilot, even though I pass both medical and competency simulator checks at an above average standard. This is at a time when smaller airlines struggle to find experienced pilots and where there is a recognised worldwide shortage of commercial pilots. This seems a waste of valuable experience to airlines, passengers and generations of commercial pilots.

Since starting my case I have been surprised by how casually society accepts Age Discrimination. Over 64-year-old pilots are casually described as "bed blockers". Imagine if similar terms were used in reference to a person’s gender or race.

How much am I raising and why? 

I am bringing this claim for Judicial Review on behalf of all commercial pilots, but I can't do this alone and need support in raising funds to pay for my legal costs. 

A Judicial Review action takes place in two stages. First, you need permission from the Court. If I get permission, then I will need to prepare for the full hearing. I have already incurred a significant amount of legal costs to date in getting to the stage where I have brought the Claim against the CAA. I need to raise £10,000  to cover further legal costs which will be incurred in getting to the stage where the Court (hopefully) grants me permission to proceed to a full hearing. 

I will keep you all updated on the Court’s decision on permission and, if I am successful, will be very grateful for your continued support in assisting me in moving this case forward to the full hearing.

You can help by making a contribution (no amount is too small) and sharing this page now.