Why are Pilots prohibited from using perfume before flights?

According to DGCA, every pilot in India has to undergo a breathalyzer test before flying to ensure that he is fully fit and alcohol-free. Many daily use products such as perfume, mouthwash, hand sanitizer contain ethyl alcohol, which can affect the breathalyzer device.

New Delhi: Flying an aircraft is not only a technical art but also a strict rule to be followed. One rule is that pilots should not use perfume or any alcohol-based product before stepping into the cockpit. This rule has been made by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in view of safety and health. Let's know why this rule is necessary.

Reason For Ban On Perfume

According to DGCA, every pilot in India has to undergo a breathalyzer test before flying to ensure that he is fully fit and alcohol-free. Many daily use products such as perfume, mouthwash, hand sanitizer contain ethyl alcohol, which can affect the breathalyzer device.

The breathalyzer is so sensitive that it can detect up to 0.0001% alcohol. Therefore, if the pilot has applied perfume, the test may result in a positive result, even if he has not consumed alcohol. This can delay the flight and strict action can also be taken against the pilot.

Captain Awadhesh Told Truth

Captain Tomar Awadhesh told in his Instagram video that pilots like to apply perfume, but due to the breathalyzer test, they have to avoid doing so. He said that it is common to buy and apply perfume from duty free, but it is necessary to follow this rule so that the test before the flight is not hampered.

 

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A post shared by Tomar Awdhesh (@awdhesh.tomar)

DGCA's New Draft And Guidelines

In October 2023, DGCA issued a draft, giving clear instructions for the flight crew. It said that pilots and crew members should avoid the use of alcohol-containing products such as perfume, mouthwash, and certain medicines. If a crew member is taking alcohol-containing medicine, then he must consult the company doctor before flying.

Essential Rules For Safety

This rule is necessary so that any kind of disturbance and delay in the flight can be avoided. Even a small positive alarm can affect flight operations and endanger the safety of passengers. Therefore, this rule acts as a safety shield for pilots.

Small precautions play a big role in flight operations. The rule of not applying perfume also falls in this category, which ensures the safety of both pilots and passengers. By following the instructions of DGCA, pilots can perform their responsibilities better and make flights safe.