Sec. 52.5. Term of license; exceptions

The term of each license granted by the commissioners, except as hereinafter provided, shall be for one year. If the age of mandatory retirement of any pilot will be reached within a year of the date of a license, then the license shall terminate as of the date of mandatory retirement. The mandatory retirement age of 65 years shall apply to all pilots licensed by the board, provided, however, that:

(a) any pilot may, within 30 days prior to attaining the age of 65 years, apply to the board for renewal of a license for a term of six months upon submitting to the board satisfactory proof of fitness, including but not limited to evidence of an acceptable eye examination as provided in section 52.4 of this Part and a report of a medical examination by a health care provider who is a physician, physician's assistant or nurse practitioner duly licensed to practice in the jurisdiction in which such examination has been conducted. The medical examination must have been administered no sooner than one month prior to the application for the renewal of the license. The report must be signed by such health care provider and must include a medical examination form satisfactory to the board showing that the pilot is fit for duty; and

(b) any pilot whose license has been renewed pursuant to subdivision (a) of this section may apply to the board for additional renewals of a license, each for a term of six months. Such a license shall be subject to a mandatory retirement age of 70 years, but upon attaining 68 years of age, a pilot's (if otherwise eligible for renewal pursuant to this subdivision) shall be reduced by one grade, and may be further reduced pursuant to section 52.9 of this Part. Each such application shall be supported by all of the information required for the initial renewal. Every application for renewal made pursuant to this subdivision must comply with section 52.10 of this Part, except that the board may, in its sole discretion, allow the application to be made within a reasonable time after the expiration of the license.