Drugs; Scuba Diving; Carbon Monoxide And Night Vision - Beech Beechcraft Bonanza V35 Pilot Operating Handbook

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Single Engine (Piston)
Section X
Safety Information
(b) Except in an emergency, no pilot of a civil air-
craft may allow a person who appears to be intoxi-
cated 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."
Because of the slow destruction of alcohol by the body, a
pilot may still be under influence eight hours after drinking a
moderate amount of alcohol. Therefore, an excellent rule is
to allow at least 12 to 24 hours between "bottle and throttle,"
depending on the amount of alcoholic beverage consumed.
DRUGS
Self-medication or taking medicine in any form when you are
flying can be extremely hazardous. Even simple home or
over-the-counter remedies and drugs such as aspirin, anti-
histamines, cold tablets, cough mixtures, laxatives, tranquil-
izers, and appetite suppressors, may seriously impair the
judgment and coordination needed while flying. The safest
rule is to take no medicine before or while flying, except
after consultation with your Aviation Medical Examiner.
SCUBA DIVING
Flying shortly after any prolonged scuba diving could be
dangerous. Under the increased pressure of the water,
excess nitrogen is absorbed into your system. If sufficient
time has not elapsed prior to takeoff for your system to rid
itself of this excess gas, you may experience the bends at
altitudes even under
10,000
feet, where most light planes
fly.
CARBON MONOXIDE AND NIGHT VISION
The presence of carbon monoxide results in hypoxia which
will affect night vision in the same manner and extent as
hypoxia from high altitudes. Even small levels of carbon
May, 1994
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