quote:

Originally posted by Lefty Sig:
The limit is 0.04? Hmmmm that means a 180 lb man could have a double whisky within an hour of flying and still pilot the plane?

No. Blood alcohol content is one limitation. No consumption of alcohol within 8 hours of operating the aircraft, is an FAA limitation. Many employers, including my own, stipulate 12 hours. Whether the employee tests at .04 or not, if the employee has consumed alcohol within the 8-12 hours window preceding a flight, it's grounds for termination.

A pilot who fails a drug or alcohol test, or refuses a test, is subject to termination, and without undergoing an extensive and expensive, lengthy program for alcohol recovery, such an event can easily be a career-ender.

quote:

Originally posted by Rightwire:
This surprised me too, given what is on the line I am surprised that anything other than a 0.00 is tolerated at all. It's seriously ok to have a pilot at the controls of a sophisticate aircraft, operating at half the legal limit to drive???

It's not tolerated.