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Aviation Safety Course

Topic 8A
Aviation Safety Hazards: Drugs

Purpose: To give you a fundamental
awareness of the types of drugs, their
effects, and their implications for
aviation duties and safety
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Drugs and Aviation Duties
Aviation duties are not limited to
piloting an aircraft.
They include a number of other jobs, to
include:
Air traffic controllers
Dispatchers
Mechanics
Cabin crew
Gate and ramp crew


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What is a drug?...
Any substance taken beyond the daily
nutritional requirements of food
(including milks and fruit juices) and
water, with the objective of some
specific result
Supplemental vitamins are not a drug
unless used in excess.
Most commonly used drugs are: (1)
alcohol, (2) nicotine, and (3) caffeine.
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Effects of Drugs
Different drugs have different effects.
The same drug may have multiple
effects.
Effects can be neutralized or magnified
by other drugs, like alcohol.
People can develop tolerances that
reduce the effect of a given dosage of
drug.

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Addictive or habit-forming?...
Many drugs typically do not create physical or
psychological dependenciesa person can
take them or leave them.
Certain drugs are habit-forming to the point of
physical or psychological addiction.
Addiction means a person usually needs
outside intervention and great effort to avoid
the drug.
FAA does not certificate persons addicted to
drugs or alcohol.
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FAA-Excepted Addictive Drugs
Nicotine is addictive, but is excepted by
FAA.
Caffeine may be mildly addictive, but is
excepted.
Alcohol IS addictive, and is NOT
excepted. No addicts allowed to be
certified, no influence when operating.
Illegal drugs are not excepted, and are
disqualifying if used at any time.






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Under the influence?...
Under the influence means behavioral
or physiological effects that adversely
modify ones judgment, performance, or
well-being.
FAA and most countries DO NOT allow
persons to do aeronautical activities
under the influence of potent or harmful
drugs.
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Under the influence?...
The duration of drug influence on a person
depends on many factors, such as:
Nature of the drug and dosage
Combination with other drugs
Persons biological condition:
Weight, health, fatigue, hunger, etc.
Drugs are cleaned from the body by the liver
and kidneysmay take hours, days, weeks,
years, forever! Depends of the drug, etc.



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Prescription vs. Non-Prescription
Prescription drugs are those very potent or
potentially harmful drugs made available only
via an authorized medical professional. Ex:
codeine, morphine, penicillin.
Non-prescription drugs are those less
potent/harmful drugs that are commonly sold
over the counter without medical
authorization. Ex: aspirin, cold medicines,
nasal sprays.
Many over the counter drugs disqualify the
user from aviation activitiesask your AME.

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Adverse effects of over-the-
counter drugs...
Appetite suppressants-tend to be uppers
and cause euphoria, bad decisions
Antihistamines (for colds, allergies, etc) cause
drowsiness
Sedatives/sleeping aids-slow mental
processes, alertness, memory
Nasal decongestants and pain-killing drugs-
their short half-life may result in unexpected
and uncontrollable effects when they fade.
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Use of drugs?...
Improper use of both prescription and
non-prescription drugs can be
dangerous and illegal under civil law.
Both type of drugs MAY place the user
under the influence and violate safety
and aviation regulations.
Always check with your AME before
taking any drug if you are performing
aviation duties.

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Alcohols Characteristics
Alcohol is the most widely used drug.
Ethyl alcohol in alcoholic beverages is
addictive.
Alcohol is a depressantretards
function and activity of mind and body.
Moves very quickly from the stomach to
the blood and brain--@ 15 seconds.
Has many bad behavioral and health
effects.

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Alcohols Apparent Effects
At first, a chemically induced euphoria
Then, a relaxation and feeling better effect
Then, feelings of increased strength, ability,
courage
At the same time, actual physical ability is
degrading
Increased alcohol can lead to loss of physical
control and consciousness
Finally, hangover headaches and sickness
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Alcohols Effects on Performance
Impaired reasoning and judgment
Impaired memory
Impaired creativity
Impaired coordination and equilibrium
Slowed reaction time
Changes of mood (irritability, agitation,
depression)
Sleep disturbance generated fatigue
Loss of strength

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Alcohol and aviationbad!
Tests show hangovers lead to 7X increases
in pre-flight errors.
One average drink=0.015% B.A.
B.A. level of 0.04% seriously impairs pilot
performance (or ATC, mechanic)
B.A. level increases with altitude, EX: B.A.
level is doubled going from sea level to
10,000 feet.
NO aviation activities under the influence, or
within 8 hours of alcohol ingestion.
NO aviation activity with a hangover.

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Nicotines Effects--A Few Examples
Chemically modified mood of euphoria and
lessened fatigue
Acts on central nervous system
Increases carbon monoxide levels in
blood/reduces ability to absorb O2
Withdrawal or temporary abstinence causes
irritability, aggression, fatigue.
Lung and eye irritation and damage
Known carcinogen
NOT good for pilots
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In summary...
Dont use harmful or illegal drugs.
Dont misuse any kind of drug.
If you have aviation duties, consult with an
aviation doctor before taking any drug or
returning to duty after taking drugs.
Even small doses of legal over-the-counter
drugs can be dangerous in aviation.
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End of lessonQuestions?
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