What are the rules for pilots and alcohol?

14 CFR § 91.17 - Alcohol or drugs.
  • (a) No person may act or attempt to act as a crewmember 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 person's faculties in any way contrary to safety; or.




People Also Ask

The FAA says a pilot will be removed from a plane if their breath alcohol concentration level is 0.04 or greater. Pilots also must not drink within 8 hours before flying, the so-called “bottle to throttle” time period. Some airlines have stricter requirements.

MORE DETAILS

Liquids, gels, and aerosols in carry-on baggage are further limited to 100-ml (3.4 oz) containers at the TSA security checkpoint. FAA regulations prohibit passengers from drinking alcohol on board the aircraft unless it is served by the air carrier.

MORE DETAILS

Pilots may not use alcohol “while on-duty or within 8 hours of performing flight crew member duties.” The regulations also require that crew members submit to blood alcohol tests when requested by law enforcement officials authorized to ask for those tests.

MORE DETAILS

The limit for pilots in the UK is 20mg of alcohol for every 100ml of blood, which is one quarter of the current drink-driving limit in England (80mg/100ml). Most countries have a similarly low blood-alcohol limit.

MORE DETAILS

While coffee may or may not be allowed in the cockpit depending on the airline and type of aircraft, it's always a welcome companion on the ground. Pilots also enjoy socializing over a cup of coffee with other like-minded aviation enthusiasts to unwind.

MORE DETAILS

The FAA alcohol rule states that a pilot and any crew member may not consume alcohol within 8 hours of flying and may never have a BAC exceeding . 04 percent when reporting for duty and while operating a plane.

MORE DETAILS

While it might seem unthinkable given the considerable responsibility that airline pilots have for their passengers and crew, there have been occasions where pilots have been arrested for being drunk in the cockpit.

MORE DETAILS

While cigarette smoking is not prohibited by the FAA, it has several hazardous side effects and many health conditions caused by smoking are medically disqualifying. A smoker typically carries a carbon monoxide blood level of about five percent.

MORE DETAILS

The answer is YES – you can wear glasses and be an airline pilot! Perfect uncorrected vision is not a requirement to be a pilot or an air traffic controller. Glasses, contact lenses and refractive surgery are all (with certain limitations) acceptable ways to correct visual acuity problems.

MORE DETAILS

For most pilots, the rule is 12 hours bottle to throttle and BAC < 0.02. This means a pilot, once off-duty and out of uniform, can enjoy a drink as long as the overnight is longer than 12 hours.

MORE DETAILS

Airline pilots take turns using the bathroom nearest the cockpit during a flight. There are no bathrooms installed in the cockpit. For airplanes with a single pilot, diapers, catheters, or collection devices are used if they are unable to land to use the airport bathroom.

MORE DETAILS

So, pilots often bring their own food on board. Regardless, flight attendants can heat the food in the oven for them so that they can still enjoy a hot meal while in the air. Moreover, those on shorter routes often bring snacks on the aircraft to maintain their energy levels.

MORE DETAILS

That's the same limit as for other critical jobs, such as air traffic controllers, ambulance drivers, and some ship captains. But pilots aren't required to take a breathalyzer test before boarding their assigned plane each time. Instead, pilots are tested randomly or if there is reasonable suspicion.

MORE DETAILS

And pilots are not allowed to drink any alcohol within eight hours of acting or attempting to act as a crew member — “from bottle to throttle,” as the FAA says.

MORE DETAILS

Yes, airline pilots can go to therapy. There is no rule prohibiting pilots from seeking mental health treatment. In fact, many airlines have established mental health programs specifically for their pilots. However, there are some considerations to keep in mind.

MORE DETAILS

Airlines are required by the FAA to randomly test pilots for drugs and alcohol, and tests can also be required after an accident or when someone — such as a fellow crew member or security personnel — has reason to suspect a pilot might be under the influence.

MORE DETAILS