Aviation Watchdog ‘DGCA’ prevents pilots, crew members to use alcohol-based mouthwash, drugs

In a significant policy update, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has barred crew members of Indian carriers, charter operators, flying schools and government departments from using products containing alcohol, including mouthwash, tooth gel, and medications.

This strict measure has been implemented by the aviation watchdog to prevent any potential positive results in their pre-flight or post-flight breath analyser tests, which are conducted to ensure that those operating flights remain completely sober.

Also, all maintenance personnel are now required to undergo breath analyser examination to assess their alcohol consumption prior to engaging in any taxi operations of aircraft.

The DGCA has implemented a revised civil aviation requirement (CAR) concerning the "procedure for medical assessment of aircraft personnel to detect alcohol consumption".

In the order, accessed by IANS, all maintenance personnel/flight crew shall be subjected to breath analyser test for alcohol consumption before undertaking any taxi operation of the aircraft.