Mike Jenvey
the new act applies equaly to GA aviation as it does to Public Transport. Otherwise it would like being having car drivers and bus drivers with different drink drive limits.
While what you say about Selfin's post be irrelevent to public transport is true, NN didn't specify, so Selfin has answered his question.
Ok, it is just one incident, but is one not too many?
The pilot was not tried as such, he pleaded guilty. In his country there is a zero BAC level, and he must therefore have realised with the amount he had drunk he would still have alcohol in his system. He was about to fly a Finish registered aircraft and he should have been mindful of his obligation to comply with Finish law, (for him to have been convicted there would have to be an equivilent offence in the country of registartion of the aircraft, so Finish law is relevent) not just UK legislation.
The legislation was suggested by the CAA, presumably because they felt there was either a problem or potential for one. Perhaps someone should ask them for the reason they wanted it. It may answer better the question about previous incidents concerning alcohol (and drugs)
Its been suggested by Sky9 that if you are subject to this law, you should buy a calibrated screening device, thats a good idea, it would keep some out of prison. Alternativly if airlines invested in a few machines and put them somewhere prior to crew checkin where they could be discreetly used before someone commits an offence.