There is a tendency to forget that flying an aircraft is a highly demanding cognitive and psychomotor task that takes place in an inhospitable environment where pilots are exposed to various sources of stress.

Hard facts about alcohol 

• It's a sedative, hypnotic, and addicting drug. 

• Alcohol quickly impairs judgment and leads to behaviour that can easily contribute to, or cause accidents.

The erratic effects of alcohol 

Alcohol is rapidly absorbed from the stomach and small intestine, and transported by the blood throughout the body. Its toxic effects vary considerably from person to person, and are influenced by variables such as gender, body weight, rate of consumption (time), and total amount consumed.

The average, healthy person eliminates pure alcohol at a fairly constant rate - about one-third to one-half oz. of pure alcohol per hour, which is equivalent to the amount of pure alcohol contained in any of the popular drinks listed in Table 1. (note: tables not included in this text.) This rate of elimination of alcohol is relatively constant, regardless of the total amount of alcohol consumed. In other words, whether a person consumes a few or many drinks, the rate of elimination of alcohol from the body is essentially the same. Therefore, the more alcohol an individual consumes, the longer it takes his/her body to get rid of it. 

Even after complete elimination of all of the alcohol in the body, there are undesirable effects-hangover-that can last 48 to 72 hours following the last drink. The majority of adverse effects produced by alcohol relate to the brain, the eyes, and the inner ear-three crucial organs to a pilot. Brain effects include impaired reaction time, reasoning, judgment, and memory. Alcohol decreases the ability of the brain to make use of oxygen. This adverse effect can be magnified as a result of simultaneous exposure to altitude, characterized by a decreased partial pressure of oxygen. Visual symptoms include eye muscle imbalance, which leads to double vision and difficulty focusing. Inner ear effects include dizziness, and decreased hearing perception. If such other variables are added as sleep deprivation, fatigue, medication use, altitude hypoxia, or flying at night or in bad weather, the negative effects are significantly magnified.

Studies of how alcohol affects pilot performance

Pilots have shown impairment in their ability to fly an ILS approach or to fly IFR, and even to perform routine VFR flight tasks while under the influence of alcohol, regardless of individual flying experience. The number of serious errors committed by pilots dramatically increases at or above concentrations of 0.04% blood alcohol. This is not to say that problems don't occur below this value. Some studies have shown decrements in pilot performance with blood alcohol concentrations as low as the 0.025%.

Studies of fatal accidents

This information is based on the analysis of blood and tissue samples from pilots involved in fatal aviation accidents.

Hangovers are dangerous

A hangover effect, produced by alcoholic beverages after the acute intoxication has worn off, may be just as dangerous as the intoxication itself. Symptoms commonly associated with a hangover are headache, dizziness, dry mouth, stuffy nose, fatigue, upset stomach, irritability, impaired judgment, and increased sensitivity to bright light. A pilot with these symptoms would certainly not be fit to safely operate an aircraft. In addition, such a pilot could readily be perceived as being "under the influence of alcohol."

You are in control

Flying, while fun and exciting, is a precise, demanding, and unforgiving endeavor. Any factor that impairs the pilot's ability to perform the required tasks during the operation of an aircraft is an invitation for disaster. The use of alcohol is a significant self-imposed stress factor that should be eliminated from the cockpit. The ability to do so is strictly within the pilot's control. Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) 91.17. The use of alcohol and drugs by pilots is regulated by FAR 91.17. Among other provisions, this regulation states that no person may operate or attempt to operate an aircraft:

• within 8 hours of having consumed alcohol
• while under the influence of alcohol
• with a blood alcohol content of 0.04% or greater
• while using any drug that adversely affects safety

Keep in mind that regulations alone are no guarantee that problems won't occur. It is far more important for pilots to understand the negative effects of alcohol and its deadly impact on flight safety.

General Recommendations

1. As a minimum, adhere to all the guidelines of FAR 91.17:  8 hours from "bottle to throttle" do not fly while under the influence of alcohol do not fly while using any drug that may adversely affect safety

2. A more conservative approach is to wait 24 hours from the last use of alcohol before flying. This is especially true if intoxication occurred or if you plan to fly IFR. Cold showers, drinking black coffee, or breathing 100% oxygen cannot speed up the elimination of alcohol from the body.

3. Consider the effects of a hangover. Eight hours from "bottle to throttle" does not mean you are in the best physical condition to fly, or that your blood alcohol concentration is below the legal limits.

4. Recognize the hazards of combining alcohol consumption and flying.

5. Use good judgment. Your life and the lives of your passengers are at risk if you drink and fly.

Ideally, total avoidance of alcohol should be a key element observed by every pilot in planning or accomplishing a flight. Alcohol avoidance is as critical as developing a flight plan, a good preflight inspection, obeying ATC procedures, and avoiding severe weather.

QUIZ

To test your knowledge of alcohol, fill in the blanks.

1. Over ____ % of American adults consume alcohol.

2. Per capita consumption of alcohol in the U.S. is about ____ gallons per year.

3. Alcoholic beverages are marketed in a variety of forms, with ____ and ____ being the most liked.

4. Blood alcohol levels above ____ % are considered "under the influence" in most states for motor vehicle operation.

5. Different alcoholic beverages have different concentrations of alcohol; however, their total alcohol content can be ______ _______. For example, a pint of beer contains as much alcohol as a ____ ounce glass of _______ ________ . Therefore, the notion that drinking low-concentration alcoholic beverages is safer than drinking hard liquor is erroneous.

6. The total alcohol content of any alcoholic beverage can be easily calculated using the following formula: "Proof" divided by ____ is equal to percent pure alcohol.

ANSWERS TO QUIZ

ALCOHOL USE IN AMERICA

1. Over 50 % of all American adults consume alcohol.

2. Per capita consumption is about 25 gallons per year.

3. Alcoholic beverages are marketed in a variety of forms, with wine and beer being the most liked.

4. Blood alcohol levels above 0.08 to 0.10 % (80-100 mg of alcohol per 100 mL of blood) are considered "under the influence" in most states for motor vehicle operation.

5. Different alcoholic beverages have different concentrations of alcohol; however, their total alcohol content can be the same. For example, a pint of beer contains as much alcohol as a 5 H ounce glass of table wine. Therefore, the notion that drinking low-concentration alcoholic beverages is safer than drinking hard liquor is erroneous.

6. The total alcohol content of any alcoholic beverage can be easily calculated using the following formula: "Proof" divided by 2 = percent pure alcohol.