Research

Project	Developing the use of effective countermeasures for drinking and flying
Synopsis	Drinking and flying is a relatively rare event, yet one which has immense potential to compromise safety.  When pilots are caught flying an aircraft under the influence of alcohol, because such instances are so rare it often becomes a newsworthy item.  Commencing in the mid-1980s, regulations have been introduced both in the USA and Europe to specify a peak blood alcohol concentration (BAC), above which it is illegal to act as a crewmember of an aircraft.  Research suggests that these regulations may not be as effective as intended, though, either because the BAC specified is too high to promote safety (USA) or that there is no effective way of enforcing the regulations (Europe).  Furthermore, it is also argued that there is no one ‘best’ way of deterring drinking and flying.  Effective countermeasures can only be specified with respect to the root cause of the problem.  To be effective the enforcement of the regulations needs to be supplemented with educational propaganda and remedial actions and these actions need to be appropriately targeted with respect to the root cause of the drinking and flying behaviour.
Reports and Publications	DAVENPORT, M.D. and HARRIS, D.  (1992). The Effect of Low Blood Alcohol Levels on Pilot Performance in a Series of Simulated Approach and Landing Trials.  International Journal of Aviation Psychology 2(4), 271-280. SMITH, F.J. and HARRIS, D. (1994). The Effects of Low Blood Alcohol Levels on Pilots’ Prioritisation of Tasks During a Radio Navigation Task.  International Journal of Aviation Psychology 4(4), 349-358. WIDDERS, R. and HARRIS, D. (1997).  Pilots’ Knowledge of the Relationship Between Alcohol Consumption and Levels of Blood Alcohol Concentration. Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine 68(6), 531-537. MAXWELL, E. and HARRIS D. (1999). Drinking and flying: a structural model.  Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine, 70(2), 117-123. HARRIS, D. and MAXWELL, E. (2001). Some considerations for the development of effective countermeasures to aircrew use of alcohol while flying. International Journal of Aviation Psychology 11(3), 237-252. HARRIS, D. (2002).  Drinking and flying: causes, effects and the development of effective countermeasures.  Human Factors and Aerospace Safety 2(4), 297-318.