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FAR 91.17 — Alcohol and Drugs

Federal Aviation Regulation 91.17 limits the use of alcohol and drugs by anyone acting as a member of an aircraft flight crew. This page presents the full text for study and reference.

What It Means in Plain Terms

A crewmember may not operate an aircraft:

  • within 8 hours of consuming alcohol;
  • while under the influence of alcohol;
  • while using any drug that affects faculties in a way contrary to safety;
  • while having 0.04% or more alcohol by weight in the blood.

Read the full safety guide on alcohol & flying

Full Regulation Text

No person may act or attempt to act as a crewmember of a civil aircraft:

(1) Within 8 hours after the consumption of any alcoholic beverage;

(2) While under the influence of alcohol;

(3) While using any drug that affects the person’s faculties in any way contrary to safety;

(4) While having .04 percent or more by weight of alcohol in the blood.

(b) Except in an emergency, no pilot of a civil aircraft may allow a person who appears to be intoxicated or who demonstrates by manner or physical indications that the individual is under the influence of drugs (except a medical patient under proper care) to be carried in that aircraft.

(c) A crewmember shall do the following:

(1) On request of a law enforcement officer, submit to a test to indicate the percentage by weight of alcohol in the blood, when —

(i) The law enforcement officer is authorized under State or local law to conduct the test or to have the test conducted; and

(ii) The law enforcement officer is requesting submission to the test to investigate a suspected violation of State or local law governing the same or substantially similar conduct prohibited by paragraph (a) of this section.

(2) Whenever the Administrator has a reasonable basis to believe that a person may have violated paragraph (a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(4) of this section, that person shall, upon request by the Administrator, furnish the Administrator, or authorize any clinic, hospital, doctor, or other person to release to the Administrator, the results of each test taken within 4 hours after acting or attempting to act as a crewmember that indicates percentage by weight of alcohol in the blood.

(d) Whenever the Administrator has a reasonable basis to believe that a person may have violated paragraph (a)(3) of this section, that person shall, upon request by the Administrator, furnish the Administrator, or authorize any clinic, hospital, doctor, or other person to release to the Administrator, the results of each test taken within 4 hours after acting or attempting to act as a crewmember that indicates the presence of any drugs in the body.

(e) Any test information obtained by the Administrator under paragraph (c) or (d) of this section may be evaluated in determining a person’s qualifications for any airman certificate or possible violations of this chapter and may be used as evidence in any legal proceeding under section 602, 609, or 901 of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958.

Effective date note: At 54 FR 34291, August 18, 1989, Sec. 91.17 was revised effective August 18, 1990, as set out above.

Alcohol & Flying Guide

The full safety analysis behind FAR 91.17, including hangover dangers and reporting duties.

Read the guide →