Understanding Impairment Risk

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General Aviation Joint Steering Committee

Understanding Impairment Risk

Outreach Guidance Document

2015/05/13-071 (I) PP

This outreach guidance is provided to all FAA and aviation industry groups that are participating in outreach efforts sponsored by the General Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC). It is important that all outreach on a given topic is coordinated and is free of conflicts. Therefore, all outreach products should be in alignment with the outline and concepts listed below for this topic.

Outreach Month: September 2016

Topic: Understanding Impairment Risk

The FAA and industry will conduct a public education campaign that discusses the risk of impairment associated with prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drug use by pilots.

Background:

A NTSB Safety Alert discusses the need for pilots to understand impairment risk associated with the use of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drubs. Several studies published by the FAA Toxicology Laboratory on toxicology samples of deceased pilots indicated the presence of illicit drugs, and prescription or over-the-counter medications in 42% of subjects tested. While NTSB and FAA have not necessarily cited drug or medication use as a causal factor in these accidents; the magnitude of these findings poses two questions. Have the drugs found in recent investigations, diminished pilots ability to safely conduct flight operations? Have the medical conditions requiring use of those drugs compromised pilots ability to fly safely? It may be impossible to say after the fact to what extent a drug compromised a pilot's capability but it's safe to say that a consultation with one's Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) is a good idea before flying while using any drug.

Teaching Points:

  • 42% of pilots in fatal crashes had some sort of drug/medication in their systems during the flight.
  • Some of these medications carry very specific warnings against operating machinery or motor vehicles or performing tasks requiring alertness. Flying certainly is included, even in a glider or hot-air balloon.
  • Illicit drugs always impair human performance.
  • Healthcare providers may prescribe drugs that could compromise pilots' abilities -€“ especially if the doctor is not aware that the patient is a pilot.
  • Combinations of prescription and OTC medications can be particularly dangerous. Pilots should consult their AME before taking a combination of medications.
  • AMEs are trained to advise pilots on negative and positive effects of drugs with respect to aviation.
  • Pilots must truthfully report all medical conditions and drug use on their medical application forms and should consult their AME with respect to all medical conditions and drug use before flight.

References:

  • Understanding Impairment Risk - Power Point
    • Available on the National FAASTeam Share Point site under Approved Presentations.
  • Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners
    • Pharmaceuticals (Therapeutic Medications)
    • Do Not Issue -€“ Do Not Fly
  • Medications and Flying - FAA Brochure
  • NTSB Safety Alerts

General Aviation Joint Steering Committee

Understanding Impairment Risk

Outreach Guidance Document

2015/05/13-071 (I) PP

This outreach guidance is provided to all FAA and aviation industry groups that are participating in outreach efforts sponsored by the General Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC). It is important that all outreach on a given topic is coordinated and is free of conflicts. Therefore, all outreach products should be in alignment with the outline and concepts listed below for this topic.

Outreach Month: September 2016

Topic: Understanding Impairment Risk

The FAA and industry will conduct a public education campaign that discusses the risk of impairment associated with prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drug use by pilots.

Background:

A NTSB Safety Alert discusses the need for pilots to understand impairment risk associated with the use of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drubs. Several studies published by the FAA Toxicology Laboratory on toxicology samples of deceased pilots indicated the presence of illicit drugs, and prescription or over-the-counter medications in 42% of subjects tested. While NTSB and FAA have not necessarily cited drug or medication use as a causal factor in these accidents; the magnitude of these findings poses two questions. Have the drugs found in recent investigations, diminished pilots ability to safely conduct flight operations? Have the medical conditions requiring use of those drugs compromised pilots ability to fly safely? It may be impossible to say after the fact to what extent a drug compromised a pilot’s capability but it’s safe to say that a consultation with one’s Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) is a good idea before flying while using any drug.

Teaching Points:

· 42% of pilots in fatal crashes had some sort of drug/medication in their systems during the flight.

· Some of these medications carry very specific warnings against operating machinery or motor vehicles or performing tasks requiring alertness. Flying certainly is included, even in a glider or hot-air balloon.

· Illicit drugs always impair human performance.

· Healthcare providers may prescribe drugs that could compromise pilots’ abilities – especially if the doctor is not aware that the patient is a pilot.

· Combinations of prescription and OTC medications can be particularly dangerous. Pilots should consult their AME before taking a combination of medications.

· AMEs are trained to advise pilots on negative and positive effects of drugs with respect to aviation.

· Pilots must truthfully report all medical conditions and drug use on their medical application forms and should consult their AME with respect to all medical conditions and drug use before flight.

References:

· Understanding Impairment Risk - Power Point

o Available on the National FAASTeam Share Point site under Approved Presentations.

· Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners

o Pharmaceuticals (Therapeutic Medications)

o Do Not Issue -“ Do Not Fly

o http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/ame/guide/pharm/dni_dnf/

· Medications and Flying -€“ FAA Brochure

o http://www.faa.gov/pilots/safety/pilotsafetybrochures/media/Meds_brochure.pdf

· NTSB Safety Alerts

o http://www.ntsb.gov/safety/safety-alerts/Pages/default.aspx

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