How long after drinking must I wait to fly?

• A. 12 hours
• B. 6 hours
• C. 24 hours
• D. 36 hours

Answer: (A)

Alcohol diminishes flight performance by impairing judgment, coordination, and reaction time. Before piloting after drinking, giving the body time to metabolize alcohol helps reduce these impairments and lower the risk to safety. The 12-hour minimum is a commonly taught conservative guideline in aeromedical practice, recognizing that metabolism varies with amount consumed, body weight, and individual differences. After about 12 hours, most of the alcohol has been cleared and impairment is likely to be minimal, though longer waits may be needed after heavier drinking. So, waiting 12 hours provides a practical safety buffer before flying.