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Alcohol and civil aviation
1Medical Service Swissair, Zurich Airport.
Addiction (Abingdon, England)
|July 1, 1993
Summary
Flying under the influence of alcohol was a taboo in aviation until the 1960s. While rates have declined, the prevalence of impaired pilots remains unknown, with current research suggesting a zero blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit.
Area of Science:
- Aviation Medicine
- Occupational Health
- Aerospace Physiology
Background:
- Historically, pilot alcohol use was a significant taboo in aviation medicine.
- In the US, a shift occurred in the 1960s revealing 30% of fatally injured general aviation pilots had alcohol influence, now reduced to 10%.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address the historical context and current status of alcohol influence in aviation.
- To highlight the evolution of policies regarding alcoholic pilots and the development of airline alcohol programs.
Main Methods:
- Review of historical data on pilot alcohol influence and fatalities.
- Examination of evolving regulations and the introduction of rehabilitation programs for pilots.
- Brief account of the Swissair alcohol program phases: observation, intervention, treatment, and follow-up.
Main Results:
- Alcohol influence in fatally injured general aviation pilots decreased from 30% to 10%.
- No fatal accidents involving alcohol in airline passenger transport have been recorded.
- Research indicates impaired flying skill at 0.025% blood alcohol concentration (BAC), suggesting a zero-tolerance policy.
Conclusions:
- Rehabilitation programs for alcoholic pilots, initiated in the 1970s, enabled early recognition and return to flying.
- Many airlines now implement their own alcohol programs to manage pilot substance use.
- Despite evidence, many aviation authorities have not yet updated regulations to reflect zero BAC recommendations.