The answer to whether pilots live longer compared to the general population is not entirely straightforward. There are arguments on both sides of this issue, with some evidence suggesting pilots may enjoy greater longevity while other factors indicate their lifespans are comparable to non-pilots.
Reasons why pilots may live longer
There are several reasons why pilots as an occupational group may enjoy increased life expectancy compared to the general public:
- Regular health checks – Pilots are required by law to undergo regular medical examinations to ensure they remain fit to fly. These mandatory checkups can help detect health issues early.
- Active job – Flying involves constant use of both body and brain which keeps pilots mentally sharp and physically fit.
- High earnings – Pilots earn good salaries which provides access to better healthcare.
- Strong unions – Most pilots belong to unions which negotiate improved benefits, including retirement and healthcare perks that may enhance longevity.
- Work culture – Peer pressure and job demands tend to discourage unhealthy behaviors like smoking and excessive drinking that can shorten lifespans.
Based on these advantages, there are reasonable grounds to hypothesize that pilots may live longer than the average person.
Evidence that pilots live longer
Some studies provide evidence indicating pilots may indeed have increased life expectancy:
- A 2008 study published in the journal Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine found commercial pilots from the 1930s through the 1960s had about a 7% lower risk of premature death compared to the general population.
- A 2015 study by the airline pilots’ union ALPA analyzed occupations and causes of death data from the Centers for Disease Control. They found pilots died younger on average than many professionals like lawyers, doctors, architects and engineers, but still outlived the general population average.
- Data from the U.S. Social Security Administration shows pilots and navigators have one of the longest average lifespans of any occupation based on the number of recipients still alive at age 65.
Reasons why pilot lifespans may not exceed the norm
On the other hand, there are also good reasons to be skeptical pilots live significantly longer than average:
- No modern mortality studies – There is a lack of recent rigorous data and mortality studies comparing today’s pilots to the general public.
- High radiation exposure – Pilots fly at high altitude and are exposed to 10-20 times more ionizing radiation which could negatively impact health.
- Irregular schedules – Long work hours and adjusting to time zone changes take a toll on circadian rhythms and can impair health over many years.
- Stress – Pilots deal with extreme stress from responsibilities for safety as well as disruptions that could negatively affect lifespan.
- Fewer benefits – Newer pilots at some airlines have reduced pensions and healthcare benefits compared to veteran pilots, which could shorten their lives.
These aspects of a piloting career in the modern age introduce health hazards that may reduce any longevity advantage pilots previously enjoyed.
Studies find no longevity advantage for pilots
Several recent studies have failed to detect any measurable difference in lifespan between pilots and the general population:
- A 2017 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found no significant difference in mortality outcomes between more than 1,300 pilots and over 1,900 non-pilots.
- A 2013 study in Aviat Space Environ Med surveyed over 18,000 pilots and revealed their mortality rates were similar to the general working population.
- A 2004 study in the British Journal of Industrial Medicine examined mortality among over 20,000 aircraft pilots and found no evidence they had lower overall death rates than the general population.
The researchers highlight how modern studies utilizing recent objective data fail to substantiate the perception that pilots live longer on average.
Challenges in determining pilot life expectancy
There are inherent difficulties in obtaining accurate statistics about pilot life expectancy and reaching a definitive conclusion:
- Data limitations – Aviation physical exams focus on fitness to fly rather than tracking long-term health, resulting in gaps in pilot mortality data.
- Career variability – Longevity may differ between pilots depending on types of aircraft flown, schedules, experience levels and other factors.
- Controlled data lacking – There is a need for controlled longitudinal studies tracking pilots against appropriately matched control groups in the general population.
- Self-selection bias – Pilots already start off healthier so a long life may not be attributable to their career.
- Causes of death – Pilots dying in accidents could skew statistics and obscure an underlying lifespan difference if data is not age-adjusted.
These limitations hinder making an apples-to-apples comparison of mortality rates between professional pilots and non-pilot groups.
Conclusion
Based on a balanced look at the available evidence, it remains difficult to say conclusively whether pilots live longer than the general population or not. While some studies suggest pilots may gain longevity benefits from regular health exams, higher incomes and strong labor unions, others find no lifespan advantage after accounting for factors like radiation exposure, irregular shifts and hazardous duties. Modern research utilizing recent objective data fails to substantiate perceptions from decades past that pilots live longer than average. Given the challenges in obtaining accurate pilot mortality statistics, there is no definitive answer yet to this aviation health question.
