Loading Page...

Can pilots take caffeine pills?

Forms of caffeine convenient for in-flight use include caffeine gum and caffeine pills, but the latter requires prescription and dispensation by the flight surgeon. All services prohibit the use of most dietary supplements by flight crew, including performance enhancers and energy drinks.



People Also Ask

Energy Drinks & Shots The US Navy categorizes Energy Drinks and Energy Shots as Class C (prohibited in aircrew and mandating a 24 hour removal from flying duties).

MORE DETAILS

Some herbs or supplements may cause positive results on DOT / FAA drug testing. Another problem, that some supplements create for pilots, is their effect on blood pressure, heart rate or other readings obtained during an FAA medical examination.

MORE DETAILS

Moreover, the position of the air traffic controller requires some of the strictest medical and mental requirements for any profession in the world; conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, heart disease, and many psychiatric disorders (e.g., clinical depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, a history of drug abuse) almost ...

MORE DETAILS

The most common go pill is Dexedrine, which is an amphetamine. You can find some more information in this article. When I deployed to Korea for the first time, I did the flight surgeon test of the go and no go pills.

MORE DETAILS

The FAA encourages pilots to seek help if they have a mental health condition since most, if treated, do not disqualify a pilot from flying.

MORE DETAILS

In-flight strategies
  • Cockpit napping: A forty-minute nap after a long period of wakefulness can be extremely beneficial. ...
  • Activity breaks are another measure found to be most beneficial when a pilot is experiencing partial sleep loss or high levels of fatigue. ...
  • Bunk sleeping is another effective in-flight strategy.


MORE DETAILS

Controlled rest allows one pilot at a time to get up to 45 minutes of sleep during periods of low workload (in the cruise). This is to promote a higher level of alertness levels during periods of high workload, for example the descent, approach and landing.

MORE DETAILS