Page 11 - Volume 11 Number 1

conditions, drugs designated as controlled substances and illicit drugs. Although evidence of illicit drug use was found only in a small number of cases, the percentage of pilots testing positive for marijuana use increased during the study period, mostly in the last 10 years.
The 2014 study showed that the prevalence of potentially impairing drugs in fatally injured accident pilots increased from an average of 11 percent during the period from 1990 to 1997 to an average of 23 percent during the period from 2008 to 2012. During the same time periods, positive marijuana results increased from 1.6 percent to 3 percent. The most commonly found impairing substance in fatal crashes was diphenhydramine, a sedating antihistamine found in OTC medications.
The NTSB suggests that pilots should be familiar with the Aeronautical Information Manual’s “IMSAFE” checklist (shown at left), which helps assess and verify if they are healthy and fit for flight. The checklist includes assessing if various issues, like illness, medication or alcohol, may impair their ability to fly safely. It also asks that pilots taking any medication should talk to their pharmacist, aviation medical examiner or private physician to determine the effects of those medications and whether there are any dangerous interactions that can occur when using multiple medications. Additionally, read the package warnings for all medications, heed
IMSAFE Checklist
Illness – Am I sick? Illness is an obvious pilot risk. Medication – Am I taking any medicines that
might affect my judgment or make me drowsy?
Stress – Am I under psychological pressure from the job? Do I have money, health, or family problems? Stress causes concentration and performance problems. While the regulations list medical conditions that require grounding, stress is not among them. The pilot should consider the effects of stress on performance.
Alcohol – Have I been drinking within eight hours? Within 24 hours? As little as one ounce of liquor, one bottle of beer, or four ounces of wine can impair flying skills. Alcohol also renders a pilot more susceptible to disorientation and hypoxia.
Fatigue – Am I tired and not adequately rested? Fatigue continues to be one of the most insidious hazards to flight safety, as it may not be apparent to a pilot until serious errors are made.
Emotion – Am I emotionally upset?
JANUARY 2017
KING AIR MAGAZINE • 9