Impaired Flying Targeted

According to the FAA and its Civil Aerospace Medical Institute, CAMI, between six and 14 percent of pilot fatalities are related to alcohol intoxication. While that seems like a very high number of pilots in our experience-and a wide, inexact statistical range-the agency said it reached its conclusion by analyzing deceased pilots blood and tissue samples after accidents.

Monday, October 24, 2016 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The FAA is campaigning to raise awareness about pilot impairment, noting 6-14% of pilot fatalities are alcohol-related, and emphasizing that legal/illegal drugs and fatigue also contribute to unsafe flying.
The FAA introduced the Takeoff and Landing Performance Assessment (TALPA) program to improve winter runway safety, using a new Runway Condition Assessment Matrix (RCAM) and Runway Condition Codes (RwyCC) for standardized reporting.
The FAA updated its list of "cold temperature restricted airports" and simplified altimetry correction procedures for pilots to compensate for errors in extremely cold temperatures during flight.

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According to the FAA and its Civil Aerospace Medical Institute, CAMI, between six and 14 percent of pilot fatalities are related to alcohol intoxication. While that seems like a very high number of pilots in our experience—and a wide, inexact statistical range—the agency said it reached its conclusion by analyzing deceased pilots’ blood and tissue samples after accidents.

Regardless of their validity, those numbers are backing a campaign designed to raise pilot awareness of the dangers of impaired flying. The FAA is quick to point out that alcohol alone isn’t its focus; legal and illegal drugs and even simple fatigue can contribute to pilot impairment and an accident. And impairment, the agency says, may cause a pilot to exceed an aircraft’s operating limitations and lose control.