Anyone who takes to the air in a sports plane or hot-air balloon may soon be subject to an alcohol check as the controls that have existed in commercial aviation since 2021 will be expanded, the Directorate-General of Aviation of the FPS Mobility and Transport announced on Saturday.
Inspectors will carry out alcohol checks on any person who has an operational task with an impact on safety, such as pilots. Importantly: refusal or lack of cooperation will be considered a positive test, Belga News Agency reports.
The checks will start soon, certainly before the start of the summer season, said FPS Mobility and Transport spokesperson Thomas De Spiegelaere.
Anyone whose breath analysis measures a concentration of at least 0.09 milligrams per litre of exhaled alveolar air, or whose blood analysis shows an alcohol concentration of at least 0.2 grams per litre of blood is considered to be under the influence of alcohol.
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Those who test positive will be unable to perform their duties as pilots or in any other aviation-critical job. In this case, a report will be drawn up and handed over to the public prosecutor.
The person in question risks criminal prosecution and/or an administrative fine. The infringement will also be reported to the aviation authority that issued the pilot in question with a licence.
