Alcohol, Antidepressants and the FAA

Ian Blair Fries

Friday, November 04, 2011 at 11:12 PM ET

Verified

** How the FAA evaluates substance abuse
has changed substantially in recent years.**

Key Takeaways:

The FAA has significantly increased scrutiny for pilots with alcohol or drug issues, eliminating previous leniency. Incidents involving motor vehicle impairment now trigger mandatory reporting, detailed evaluations, and for serious offenses (e.g., high BAC, refusal of breath test), likely participation in the extensive HIMS program.
The HIMS (Human Intervention and Motivation Study) program is a rigorous, multi-year process designed to return pilots with substance abuse issues to flying, requiring a 28-day residential rehabilitation, sustained abstinence, and continuous monitoring by a HIMS AME.
New pathways exist for pilots with depression to regain or maintain certification, either by demonstrating 90 days off medication without recurrence of depression.
Alternatively, a special issuance can be obtained for those on a stable dose of one of four specific SSRIs (Prozac, Lexapro, Zoloft, Celexa) for at least a year, subject to mild depression, positive neurocognitive testing, and ongoing monitoring by a HIMS AME.

See a mistake? Contact us.

(November 2011) Federal aviation regulations have not changed, but the procedures the FAA uses to evaluate and certify pilots with alcohol and drug issues, and those on certain antidepressant medications, have changed substantially in the past three years. Pilots with such issues are unpleasantly surprised when confronted by FAA procedures and probably would have chosen a different course if forewarned. Here is what you need to know.

Operation of Motor Vehicle While Impaired
The FAA now scrutinizes each alcohol-related event. There is no free pass for the first or second event as in the past. If you are implicated operating a motor vehicle — yes, a boat qualifies — while under the influence of alcohol, you must within 60 days notify the FAA Security and Investigations Division (AMC-700).