Pubdate: Thu, 15 Feb 2001
Source: Herald Sun (Australia)
Copyright: 2001 News Limited
Contact:  PO Box 14999, Melbourne City, MC 8001 Australia
Fax: (03) 9292 2112
Website: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/
Author: Mark Dunn

PILOTS FACE DRUG TESTS

QANTAS and Ansett pilots may be subjected to random drug and alcohol 
testing, according to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

The move follows several incidents, including fatalities, in the private 
air industry over recent years.

CASA spokesman Peter Gibson said there was no legislation far sobriety 
testing of pilots after accidents and incidents.

"Airline pilots of course are subject to strict regulation by their 
employers and I believe both majors are looking at random testing," Mr 
Gibson said.

Large commercial airlines in Australia have no report of drug or alcohol 
problems but there have been a number of death among smaller private operators.

Mr Gibson said CASA believed drugs were involved in several cases over 
recent years where small private aircraft had crashed.

He said one case was currently under investigation by police.

"The odd case occurs and that is normally dealt with by the state police as 
it is part of other offences, such as drug running, or the pilot is dead 
and there is no action we can take."

Qantas executive general manager David Forsyth said it would abide by any 
regulation for random testing if required by CASA. But it was necessary for 
the Aviation Audiority to legislate for random testing.

An Ansett spokesman said pilots had an obligation not to have any alcohol 
or banned drugs in their system.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens