Home / Business and Economy / Pilots Face License Revocation Over Alcohol Rules
Pilots Face License Revocation Over Alcohol Rules
14 Feb
Summary
- Repeated alcohol violations can lead to pilot license cancellation.
- Expatriate pilots testing positive for alcohol may lose authorization.
- New rules mandate stricter breath analyser tests and counseling.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has introduced significantly stricter regulations concerning breath analyser tests for pilots. Effective February 9, pilots found violating alcohol norms repeatedly now face the potential cancellation of their licenses. This stringent measure includes revoking the Foreign Aircrew Temporary Authorisation (FATA) for expatriate pilots operating in India if they test positive for alcohol.
For scheduled operators, first-time positive breath analyser readings up to 0.009% BAC will result in the crew being taken off duty and subjected to mandatory counseling by the Chief Medical Officer and Chief of Flight Safety. Similar counseling protocols are in place for non-scheduled operators, with all cases reported to the DGCA but not endorsed on the crew license.
A pilot's license will be suspended for a second positive pre-flight breath analyser test, or a combination of one positive test and one missed test. Post-flight violations carry a three-year suspension for a positive test combined with a missed test. The DGCA emphasizes that BAC is not the sole determinant, citing 'hangover' effects and enforcing a 12-hour abstinence period, with airlines potentially implementing even stricter rules.
