Pilot grounded under drink suspicion

[tycoonjack]

Pilot grounded under drink suspicion

A British Airways pilot has been grounded after allegedly failing a breath test as he was preparing to fly a planeload of passengers to London.
It is understood that the pilot, who has not been named, was held by Swedish police after being found over the alcohol limit just before the flight was due to leave from Arlanda airport near Stockholm.

The 79 passengers were told there were "technical difficulties" with the plane and were made to wait three hours for a new flight crew to be brought in.

[USAtrvl]

It is understood that the pilot, who has not been named, was held by Swedish police after being found over the alcohol limit just before the flight was due to leave from Arlanda airport near Stockholm.

[/quote]


Is there a legal limit for pilots? I figured there should be no trace of alcohol in a pilot before the flight?

[mduell]

For a private pilot, its 8 hours since the last sip (or 8 hours from the END of a hangover), and under .02 BAC. Probably stricter for commercial guys (I know some airlines require 24 hours since last sip).

[dbaker]

FARs (federal aviation regulations) say eight hours is the minimum from the last sip. 24 hours is often recommended or required depending on the organization.

The conservation response that I've heard and that I observe is 16-24 hours depending on the circumstances.