Aviation Drug Testing

[WantDaChronic]

Aviation Drugs Testing

 

A drug testing group is calling for routine drug tests for all pilots, saying it could have prevented a fatal plane crash in New Zealand last year.

 

Bernie and Christine Lewis died after their charter plane crashed into the side of Mount Tauhara last Feburary and its been revealed their pilot, who also died, had smoked cannabis 12-14 hours before the flight.

 

A New Zealand commission has found no obvious explanation for the crash, allowing for the possibility that it was drug related, but there's no conclusive evidence of that.

 

The civil aviation authority says it doesn's have the legal power to routinely drug test pilots.

 

A review of drug and alcohol testing in the aviation industry was submitted to the fedral transport department late last year but no action has yet been taken.

 

Source: SkyNews Active on Austar Digital a couple of days ago, I forgot to post it up

 

It sucks balls that they are blaming marijuana on that plane crashing, like he smoked 12-14 hours ago so he either had time to sleep it off OR it would have worn off if he stayed awake so in either case i dont see how marijuana can be blamed

[Pa-uul]

That sucks 'cause marijuana doesn't even impair your ability for these sorts of things I reckon. Although, most people would expect one not to smoke it prior to take off; and that's fine with me. The average cannabis user is very careful not to cross the rules of conduct of the day and would never toke up right before take-off of a commercial flight! No way, Jose. The pilot in question had stopped 12-14 hours prior which is plenty of time for it to wear off. Usually it wears off in about an hour, I find. And 2-3 hours is plenty of time for any residual effects! Goodness!! Do people really want to ignore the scientific proof of these things? Is this merely a way of exercising prejudice in the workplace?

 

This would have the effect of discouraging marijuana smokers from becoming pilots. If that's what they want then that's just stupid. How neanderthal to suppose that people who use when in their own time (which is apparently the case in this case) shouldn't have any job which is "important" or safety related. Are cannabis users any less responsible than alcohol users, or tobacco users and such? No. So, they can go jump in the lake for all I care; the one in New Zealand.

[ffc99]

I have a pilot's licence and would never fly without some days free from MJ. I think 12 hours is a bit skinny, especially with passengers. While I do not think it is that impairing, flying requires 100% attention to many details - much more complex than driving a car. Even though I do not think MJ caused the crash it now becomes an easy explanation for authorities and adversely impacts the chances of getting MJ legal.

 

You can not drink alcohol 8 hours before a flight and you need a 0% blood alcohol level. This does not discourage beer drinkers from being pilots!

 

After a heavy MJ session I still feel the effects the next day even though it has "worn off". I would definately not be at the top of my game, just like if you have a hangover even if your level is 0%. Pilots should not fly if not 100% on their game or it ends in tears. Pilot error is the No 1 and No 2 cause of crashes.

 

:-D

[WantDaChronic]

i gotta agree that pilots should be totally sober for flying, but blaming the crash on mj use is total and utter bullshit properganda to get the public even more against mj

[Chev]

Yeah, just another bit of ammo for their petty arsenal against MJ. I can't believe it would cause the pilot to crash that long after smoking. I can't see that it could even contribute to it. If the time frame was less than stated I would've umm'd and ah'd over it, but 12-14 hours?

[ffc99]

I think it can contribute. MJ affects memory, especially short term. A pilot needs to remember heaps of things, including emergency procedures for many possibilites (engine out, fire, icing) as well as numerous safe speeds for take off, landing, manouevering, radio frequencies blah blah. The cause of this crash was pilot error. Pilots are taught not to fly unless they are 100% and to take flying as a serious and risky business. You just need to be in control of those risks. This turkey was not.

[nugget]

Bloody hell i wont even have a smoke and drive let alone try to fly a plane ::

 

But seriously, I have to agree with you guys, 12-14 hrs is definitely long enough to not blame the cause of the crash on pot. It just serves for more ammo in this 'war' on pot little johnny seems to be on.

[fsagertyaef]

i going to go with the only person in this chat that has expirence and say it might just have contrubuited im not saying its to blame but i have a buddy thats a piolet and he wont fly if he has a bad headache and for good reason you fuck up once and you can take a damn plane down its really isnt like a car which i fully enjoy driving when im stoned but if i knew how to fly i wouldnt fly for a day after smoking at least no its most likly not going to do anything and yeah your down after a couple of hours but shit man its a plane dont test your bloody luck

[jussyjus]

I know I wouldn't want someone stoned being the pilot of an aeroplane I was flying in. Any alcohol or drug for that matter.

I don't think they can conclusively say how it happened.. Besides pilot error of course, which could be a number of things really.

[WantDaChronic]

i reckon it could have contributed as well, but imo the most it would have done is made his reaction times a second longer than what they should have been. I honestly dont think that it effected him that much that he crashed the plane from being too stoned, i think there must have been atleast another factor involved that attributed to the crash