“Only a relatively small number of pilots are identified with an alcohol or drug problem,” says Dr. David Prewett, an aeromedical neuropsychologist in Atlanta. In 2018, the FAA issued about 1,200 special medical certificates for recovering pilots—roughly 0.2 percent of all active U.S. pilots.
The FAA prohibits the ingestion of any alcohol within 8 hours of flying as a pilot crew member, be it general or commercial aviation.
These medical conditions include a personality disorder manifested by overt acts, a psychosis, alcoholism, drug dependence, epilepsy, an unexplained disturbance of consciousness, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, and diabetes requiring medication for its control.
The majority of adverse effects produced by alcohol relate to the brain, eyes, and inner ear which are 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.
Cloyd and Hughes were found guilty of operating an aircraft while under the influence of alcohol. Cloyd was sentenced to five years in prison and had already been on probation for an alcohol-related offense just a few months before his arrest.
Federal Aviation Administration regulations say a pilot cannot have a blood or breath alcohol concentration of 0.04 or greater, which is half the legal limit for driving in the United States. Pilots are not allowed to drink any alcohol within eight hours of operating an airplane—“bottle to throttle,” as the FAA says.
Now, drinking isn't necessarily a problem in and of itself, but pilots are in a unique situation where they are often isolated, and removed from familiar surroundings. That may lead to an increased urge to drink out of boredom or loneliness.
One of the first steps the FAA and the airline will take against a pilot accused of intoxication is to temporarily suspend the pilot's license and flying privileges. While there is no automatic revocation of a pilot's license in these cases, the FAA will suspend a pilot pending the outcome of the investigation.
Between 2010 and 2018, nearly 117,000 U.S. pilots were tested for alcohol, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Of those, 99 were found above the legal limit. When those violations are discovered, the consequences can be severe.
1) Aircraft Systems
One of the toughest topics for private pilot students is aircraft systems. Want to know more about the systems and equipment in your aircraft? Dig into your POH and read section 7. Better yet, find a local A&P at your airport and have them walk you through a few systems with the cowling off.
One statistic commonly quoted is based on a 2011 study by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, which found only 20% of flight school students achieve their private pilot certification.
The amount of time spent away from home depends on a crew member's seniority, preferences, and aircraft. The most labor-intensive schedule might place a pilot out of base for 12-15 nights in a month. An entire month's schedule for a "line holder" commonly includes four 4-day trips.
Most airlines have a similar policy when it comes to tattoos. They allow pilot tattoos as long as they are not visible while on duty and do not contain any offensive content. This means that any tattoos on the hands, neck, or face must be covered up while on duty.
Don't drink
Alcohol is a depressant that relaxes your nervous system, so it makes sense that we associate having a drink with chilling out, but for some people, it can actually increase anxiety. Plus, the last thing you want if you're already anxious about flying is a Bridesmaids-type situation.
It is one's personal choice if they wish to smoke or drink. Despite smoking and drinking, officers maintain their physical health. There are physical tests and exercises Army officers need to pass every 1–2 months. And as for pilots, they follow bottle to throttle, no drinking 24 hours before flying.
Yes, airplane pilots can wear glasses. (And many do.) If you wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, you can still become a commercial, private, or military pilot.
It is possible that pilots may consume Red Bull or other energy drinks, however, it is generally recommended that pilots avoid consuming caffeine or any stimulants before or during a flight due to their potential effects on alertness and performance.
According to FlightSafety.org, pilots are told to avoid consuming more than 300mg of caffeine per day, which can impair mood and psychomotor performance.
The simple answer is yes, pilots do, and are allowed to sleep during flight but there are strict rules controlling this practice. Pilots would only normally sleep on long haul flights, although sleep on short haul flights is permitted to avoid the effects of fatigue.
Pilots who plan to take a nap must inform both the co-pilot and lead flight attendant of their desire to sleep. They are only allowed to sleep for a certain time window, and the co-pilot must stay awake during this timeframe.
So, there you have it. Unfortunately, there's no real answer to the question–yes, it is possible to work as an airline pilot and have beards or visible tattoos, but it is uncommon and generally discouraged.
Despite their notoriety, such cases are extremely rare. Each day, there are 90,000 flights around the world, carrying more than 8 million people. And the overwhelming majority of pilots in those cockpits are sober.
But there is a safety net. “Pilots at the controls should take their meals at different times,” said Virgin. Which makes sense for two reasons. In the unlikely event that their delicious jalfrezi is contaminated, the flight crew won't fall ill at the same time.
Yes, pilots can and do eat in the cockpit during a flight, however, pilots in the cockpit do not eat at the same time and take it in turns to enjoy their food whilst the others are in control of the plane.