Page 21 - Volume 13 Number 5

saturation. The groups added that the FAA has made it clear that non-equipped aircraft operating in ADS-B Out airspace without obtaining a preflight authorization will be in violation of the regulations.
NBAA Reports Some Countries Have Begun Alcohol Testing During Ramp Inspections
In early April, the National Business Aviation Associa- tion (NBAA) announced it had learned during meetings with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) that authorities are beginning to test for alcohol consump- tion during ramp inspections at airports around the globe. Dutch, German and Japanese authorities have already begun testing, and Singaporean authorities started testing at two
airports, Changi and Seletar, on March 31.
“While commercial
operators have been
subject to drug and al-
cohol testing for many
years, application of
these standards to
non-commercial op-
erators is new,” said
Brian Koester, NBAA
senior manager, flight
operations and regula-
tions. “We will work
to determine pilots’
rights in these situa-
tions, continue communication with the regulating bodies to provide as much information as possible to our members and ensure authorities vigilantly adhere to the procedures put in place to protect the sensitive safety image of aviators and their employers.”
NBAA says these new requirements are in response to a 2015 Germanwings accident and other incidents that cited drug, alcohol and mental health issues as contributing factors. Flight crews will be tested via breathalyzer, and a test result of 0.02g of alcohol per 210 liters of breath will be considered positive. The 0.02g threshold is to account for mouthwash, medication, system calibration error or other inaccuracies.
If the pilot’s initial test result is positive, the operator will immediately be removed from duty and subject to a second confirmatory test. If a pilot yields two positive results, the airline, and, in some cases, local law enforcement will be notified.
“NBAA is aware of the sensitive nature of these safety checks,” added Koester. “We have been assured that authorities will conduct these tests in a private area out of view of the public.”
MAY 2019
KING AIR MAGAZINE • 19