FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute

Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-18/05

Title and Subtitle: Literature Review and Recommendations Concerning Alcohol Tolerance Under Part 67

Report Date: July 2018

Authors: Caro-Nuñez A, Chidester T

Abstract: In the aviation industry, preventing misuse of alcohol among pilots has long been a concern for controlling operational risk. Certification decisions in response to an airman's report of an alcohol-related offense often turn on evidence of tolerance. The Deputy Federal Air Surgeon consulted Aerospace Medical Research management for guidance regarding appropriate standards referencing observed blood alcohol concentration to determine tolerance. The authors were asked to complete a literature review and make recommendations.

In brief, there is good evidence, collected over more than seventy years, that a conscious and responsive person with a BAC greater than or equal to 0.20% evidences alcohol tolerance. However, the literature suggests a BAC greater than or equal to 0.15%, if accompanied by a report of minimal behavioral evidence of intoxication, similarly evidences tolerance. And, current approaches to at-risk drinking would target consumption of 5 or more drinks in one session of drinking (4 or more for females), even at lower BACs. The latter would call attention to airmen of higher than average body weight when an arrest report indicates a BAC less than 0.20%.

Key Words: Ethanol, Alcohol, Airmen Certification, Tolerance, Dependence

No. of Pages: 11