FAR 91.17 — Alcohol and Drugs
FAR 91.17 explains the 8-hour bottle-to-throttle rule, 0.04 BAC limit, drug restrictions, and testing requirements for pilots and crewmembers.
FAR 91.17 sets the rules for alcohol and drug use by crewmembers of civil aircraft. You may not act — or attempt to act — as a crewmember:
- Within 8 hours after drinking any alcoholic beverage (the "8 hours bottle-to-throttle" rule)
- While under the influence of alcohol
- While using any drug that affects your faculties contrary to safety
- With a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.04 or greater
Note that the 8-hour rule is a minimum — you can still be in violation if you're impaired or over 0.04 BAC even after 8 hours.
Except in an emergency, you also can't carry passengers who appear intoxicated or under the influence of drugs (medical patients under proper care are excepted).
If a law enforcement officer authorized under state or local law requests an alcohol test, you must submit. The FAA can also request your test results within 4 hours of acting as a crewmember if it suspects a violation. This information can be used to evaluate your airman certificate qualifications and as evidence in legal proceedings.
Why it matters: alcohol and drug impairment dramatically degrade judgment, reaction time, and coordination — and the FAA treats violations of 91.17 as among the most serious certificate actions.
Five FAA-written-style questions. Instant explanations, every answer cites its source — no account needed.
You climb to 11,500 ft without supplemental oxygen and start feeling euphoric and slow to think. Which type of hypoxia is this?