FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute

Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-72/4

Title and Subtitle: The effects of alcohol on pilot performance during instrument flight

Report Date: January 1972

Authors: Billings CE, Wick RL, Gerke RJ, Chase RC

Abstract: Sixteen instrument-rated pilots, eight of whom were very experienced professional aviators, flew instrument landing system approaches in a Cessna 172 under simulated instrument flight conditions while sober and while under the influence of 40, 80, and 120 mg% of blood ethyl alcohol. Each pilot flew four approaches to minimums on each of two occasions at each alcohol level.

The data collected during these approaches included continuous measurement of aircraft position with respect to localizer and glide path centerlines and airspeed. Note was made of procedural errors committed during the flights. It is concluded that even 40 mg% of blood alcohol exerts decremental effects on performance which are incompatible with flight safety.

Key Words: Alcohol, Pilot Performance, Instrument Flight, Blood analysis, Flight simulators, Instrument landings

No. of Pages: 74