Medication and drugs (fitness to fly)
Two separate questions (either alone can ground you; symptom clearing does not clear the drug's own effects):
| Question | Source |
|---|---|
| Is the condition treated disqualifying? | TC AIM AIR 3.1, AIR 3.10 |
| Does the drug impair you? | PHAK ch.17 Drugs |
Drug effects:
| Drug | Effects | Flying |
|---|---|---|
| CNS depressants: tranquilizers, sedatives, strong pain relievers, cough suppressants | Impair judgment, memory, alertness, coordination, vision, calculation. Any CNS-depressing medication: more susceptible to hypoxia | - |
| Antihistamines (allergies, colds) | Drowsiness, dizziness, sometimes recurring (AIR 3.10) | - |
| OTC: sedating antihistamines, herbal remedies, cough medicines, sleeping pills, appetite suppressants | May cause drowsiness; seriously impair judgement, coordination (AIR 3.10) | OTC does not mean flight-safe |
| OTC analgesics: aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen (correct dosage) | Few side effects | Usually not restricted |
| Prescription analgesics: propoxyphene, oxycodone, meperidine, codeine | Mental confusion, dizziness, headaches, nausea, vision problems | Almost always precluded while using them |
Risk multipliers:
- Altitude: a drug harmless on the ground can cause problems at ordinary GA altitudes.
- Fatigue, stress, dehydration, poor nutrition: raise susceptibility.
- Stacking more than one medication: effects more pronounced.
Rules:
- Prescription or OTC drugs, herbal remedies: no flying under influence unless cleared by a Civil Aviation Medical Examiner (CAME) (TC AIM AIR 3.10).
- Unless specifically prescribed, never take more than one drug at a time.
- Never mix drug with alcohol (combined effect unpredictable).
- Safest rule (PSTAR 8.11): no medicine when planning to fly, except on CAME advice. Warning label or fixed wait (8 or 12 hours) is not the rule.
Trap: symptom gone does not mean fit to fly; condition can still impair while medicine masks symptoms (TC AIM AIR 3.10).
References
- FAA Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25), ch.17 Drugs
- TC AIM AIR 3.10
- PSTAR (TP 11919) 8.11
- TC AIM AIR 3.1