Section X
Oeechcraft
Single Engine (Piston) Safety Information
• Increased susceptibility to fatigue and decreased atten-
tion span.
• Decreased relevance of response.
• Increased self confidence with decreased insight into
immediate capabilities.
Tests have shown that pilots commit major errors of judg-
ment and procedure at blood alcohol levels substantially
less than the minimum legal levels of intoxication for most
states. These tests further show a continuation of impair-
ment from alcohol up to as many as 14 hours after con-
sumption, with no appreciable diminution of impairment. The
body metabolizes ingested alcohol at a rate of about one-
third of an ounce per hour. Even after the body completely
destroys a moderate amount of alcohol, a pilot can still be
severely impaired for many hours by hangover. The effects
of alcohol on the body are magnified at altitudes, as 2 oz. of
alcohol at 18,000 feet produce the same adverse effects as
6 oz. at sea level.
Federal Aviation Regulations have been amended to reflect
the FAA's growing concern with the effects of alcohol impair-
ment. FAR 91 states:
"Alcohol or drugs.
10-44
(a) No person may act or attempt to act as a crew-
member of a civil aircraft -
(1) Within 8 hours after the consumption of any
alcoholic beverage;
(2) While under the influence of alcohol;
(3) While using any drug that affects the per-
son's faculties in any way contrary to safety; or
(4) While having .04 percent by weight or more
alcohol in the blood.
May, 1994
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