Alcohol And Drugs

Question 1

What are the effects of alcohol on pilot performance?

Answer 1

• Alcohol = sedative, hypnotic and addictive drug
• Impairs judgement and leads to behaviour that can easily contribute to or cause an accident

Question 2

What three main organs does alcohol affect?

Answer 2

1. Brain - impaired reaction time, reasoning and judgement and memory. Decreases ability of the brain to make use of oxygen, worsened by an increase in altitude.
2. Visual - eye muscle imbalance, double vision and difficulty focussing.
3. Inner ear - dizziness and decreased hearing perception.

Question 3

What are the restrictions associated with the consumption of alcohol and flying?

Answer 3

• NO SAFE LEVEL of blood alcohol
• Alcohol can have after-effects even when the blood alcohol level has returned to an undetectable level
• Low-level alcohol use should call for a minimum of 12hrs stand-down
• 24hrs ‘bottle to throttle’ recommended for alcohol consumption of more than 1-2 standard drinks

Question 4

How do individuals differ in the effect of alcohol consumption?

Answer 4

• Alcohol is a depressant - affects I people differently
  E.g. loudness, aggression, anger, violence, showing off, promiscuity, risk taking, depressive, withdrawn and low self esteem.

Question 5

What are the effects of drugs on pilot performance?

Answer 5

• Impairs attention and learning, increases reaction time and causes difficulty in concentration
• Reduction in physical strength, impaired balance, coordination and steadiness

Question 6

What are the considerations associated with the taking of over the counter medication and flying?

Answer 6

• Prescribed meds needs approval by CAA
• Antibiotics = incompatible with flying, need trial first
• Tranquillisers - including anti-depressants and sedatives, affects ability to respond
• Stimulants - includes caffeine and amphetamines, can cause overconfidence
• Antihistamines - can cause drowsiness
• Pain killers - paracetamol is approved, however nothing that contains codeine. Aspirin and anti-inflammatories require a trial
• Anaesthetics - 24hrs local up to 72hrs for general

Question 7

Why are illegal/recreational drugs unacceptable for pilots?

Answer 7

Impairs cognitive function and psychomotor performance.