It will be interesting to see how quickly this new 'rule' gets rescinded, i.e. when aircraft are being parked for lack of crews to fly them, i.e. as a result of us having partied too hard when on leave... and, fwiw, I too fail to see how this fits with the 12 hour & BAC rules which have served so well for so long?
Coincidentally, based upon data revealed in a presentation article by that said same AME (
Dr Fiona Rennie), this certainly seems to be a sledgehammer to crack a nut:
http://asmameeting.org/asma2013_mp/p...resent_150.pdf
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!!!!! STOP PRESS !!!!!.... Someone has just forwarded me the email:
ALCOHOL MISUSE
The GCAA are amending their Aeromedical regulations and these become effective from 01 January 2015.
Amongst the changes, the following regulations referring to Alcohol Misuse have been introduced.
Alcohol screening will be required for the following situations:
i. Screening as part of age 60 medical certification
ii. As part of the medical evaluation as determined by the AME during the regulatory medical examination (e.g. in cases of cardiac arrhythmia, insomnia, chronic headache, depression/anxiety, liver disease and cases of uncontrolled hypertension/diabetes or increased suspicion especially in those with a family history of addiction)
iii. Referral following an aviation incident or work related issue
iv. 3rd party notifications for suspected drug or alcohol misuse
Emirates is also required to randomly screen 20% of operating crew for drugs and alcohol.
Alcohol Screening requires a detailed medical history and examination, questionnaire and laboratory tests. The laboratory tests required by the new regulation are:
i. GGT (gamma-glutamyl transferase): An enzyme produced by the liver and increases with alcohol use. However it is not a specific marker and can be elevated in other conditions.
ii. MCV (mean corpuscular volume): The size of the red blood cells increase with excessive alcohol consumption but like GGT can be elevated with other conditions.
iii. CDT (carbohydrate deficient transferrin): CDT is more specific to alcohol use and may be elevated with the consumption of> 4 or 5 standard drinks per day for two weeks or more. It is an important marker for alcohol use disorder. The new regulation states that any elevation of CDT requires immediate grounding, a liver ultrasound to assess for biliary disease and a full report from a substance abuse specialist regarding alcohol intake.
Previously, Emirates AMEs have been able to assess and monitor pilots with an abnormal CDT level, usually without grounding or involving assessment by a substance abuse specialist. This flexibility has been removed and from 01 January onwards, any pilot with an elevated CDT will automatically be grounded.
Unfortunately, blood tests after vacation sometimes show an elevated CDT level, so what you may feel is a normal alcohol intake on vacation could result in license suspension if you were to be tested in the following weeks.
The new regulations contain a detailed protocol for rehabilitation/treatment/reinstatement and follow-up. The GCAA have advised that any pilot who voluntarily asks for assistance with their use of alcohol should be assessed, treated (if required) and their medical certificate will be reinstated provided they comply with the requirements. The GCAA will not guarantee that this will be the case for those identified during testing but who have not declared that they are drinking to excess.
In addition, pilots not attending for mandated follow-up (AME review, laboratory tests, specialist review) at the specified time, risk the removal of their medical certificate.
Dr Fiona Rennie - VP Aviation Medicine