By News18,Sahas Mahapatra

Copyright news18

Flying an aircraft is not just about skills; it also involves following strict rules that cover far more than just technical routines. Among the rules that might surprise many is that pilots are advised not to wear perfume before stepping into the cockpit. This may sound unusual, but it’s part of safety and health guidelines set by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
For an industry where even the smallest detail can make a big difference, such precautions are taken very seriously. So why exactly does this rule exist, and what makes it so important for pilots? Let’s break down the reason behind this unusual rule.
The Breathalyser Test Rule
According to DGCA, every pilot in India must take a breathalyser test before operating a flight. The aim is to make sure they are completely sober and fit to fly. However, many grooming products that people use daily, such as perfumes, mouthwash, or even hand sanitisers, contain ethyl alcohol.
As a result, even if a pilot hasn’t consumed alcohol, the use of these products could still trigger a false reading. To avoid such risks, pilots are advised to stay away from anything that might interfere with the test.
Pilot’s First-Hand Experience
Captain Tomar Awdhesh recently explained the reason behind this rule in an Instagram video. He said, “It’s not that we don’t like it. In fact, many of us love perfumes and often buy from duty free during layovers. But here’s the thing, before every flight, pilots have to do a breathalyser test to check for alcohol. Since many perfumes and colognes are alcohol based, they can interfere with the results.”
“The breathalyser device is so sensitive that it can detect alcohol even up to the extent of 0.0001%. So if a pilot has applied the perfume, it may detect alcohol from the perfume and indicate a false positive even if the crew have not consumed alcohol. That means flight delays and strict action against the pilot even if they did not drink it at all,” Awdhesh added.

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

DGCA’s Guidelines
In October 2023, the DGCA released a draft aimed at clarifying rules for flight crew. According to ANI, it stated that pilots and crew members must avoid using products containing alcohol, including perfumes, mouthwash, and certain gels or medicines, as these could trigger a positive result on a breathalyser test. Crew members taking medications that contain alcohol are required to consult the company’s doctor and obtain approval before boarding a flight.