1 of 11 TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 6: 6.1 3 6.1.0 Policy 3 6.1.1 Alcohol and Other Intoxicating Liquor 4 6.1.2 Narcotics 4 6.1.2.1 Narcotics Screening 4 6.1.3 Drugs 4 6.1.4 Sleeping tablets 5 6.1.5 Pharmaceutical preparations 5 6.1.6 Vaccinations 5 6.1.6.1 Validity of Vaccination 5 6.1.6.2 Immunization 5 6.1.7 Deep Diving 6 6.1.8 Blood Donation 6 6.1.9 Meal Precautions Prior to and During Flight 6 6.1.10 Sleep and Rest 6 6.1.11 Surgical Operations 6 6.1.12 Malaria 7 6.1.13 Vision Correction 7 6.1.14 Humidity 8 6.1.15 Diurnal Rhythm 8 6.1.16 Fatigue 8 6.1.17 Pregnancy 8 6.1.18 Anesthesia 8 6.2 REGULAR MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS 9 6.2.1 General 9 6.2.2 Additional Medical Examinations 9 6.2.3 Notification of Sickness 9 6.2.3.1 Sickness at Home Base 9 6.2.3.2 Sickness Down Route 10 6.2.3.3 Sickness During Vacation 10
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3 of 11 CHAPTER 6: 6.1 6.1.0 Policy Compagnie Africaine d Aviation (CAA) do not permit Crew members to perform duties whenever there are their physical or mental health could endanger or compromise the safety of the aircraft or its occupants. In order to maintain ability for flight service, the Compagnie Africaine d Aviation (CAA) crew members are recommended to adhere to the recommendations as to manner of living and general hygiene given by the Authority and Compagnie Africaine d Aviation (CAA) physicians. From a safety point of view, flight service is prohibited when the Crew member s capacity for work is reduced on account of illness, general indisposition, and fatigue or under the influence of alcohol or other drugs and whenever they feel unfit to the extent that the flight may be endangered. Any Compagnie Africaine d Aviation (CAA) crew member with illness causing an inability to perform his duties shall immediately report his status to the Crew Roster via Flight Dispatch for crew scheduling. All Compagnie Africaine d Aviation (CAA) PIC must ensure that: No crew member may not undertake or perform his duties in case of such as: Injuries Fatigue Disease Effects of alcohol or pharmacodynamics agents No continuation of a flight beyond the nearest suitable landing aerodrome when ability of Crew Members to perform their duties is significantly reduced as a result of fatigue, illness, or lack of oxygen. All Compagnie Africaine d Aviation (CAA) flight crew is required to report through the Flight Operations Department to the DRC CAA the following cases: Incapacitation of more than 20 days Hospitalization Pregnancy Prescription of corrective lenses or mechanical prostheses. Taking drugs or pharmaceutical preparations as part of a non- prescribed by a DRC CAA approved Practitioner.
4 of 11 6.1.1 Alcohol and Other Intoxicating Liquor Compagnie Africaine d Aviation (CAA) crew members (including supernumerary) adhere to the requirements laid down by the Authority (RACD 08 Part 1, 8.5.1.6(a) and RACD 09 Part 2, 9.3.1.5 (e).) or other relevant rules and regulations that may be enforced upon crew members by the Compagnie Africaine d Aviation (CAA), the DRC CAA and/or other Authorities having jurisdiction in the territory where crew members will be on duty (The most conservative data and procedures applies). Note: A Crew Member Shall Not: Consume alcohol less than 10 hours prior to the specified reporting time for flight duty or the commencement of standby. Commence a flight duty period with a blood alcohol level in excess of 20 milligrams pr 100 milliliters Consume alcohol during the flight duty period or whilst on standby. Compagnie Africaine d Aviation (CAA) crew member is considered being under the influence of alcohol if the contents of alcohol in the blood are in excess of 0.2 or if the contents of alcohol in the body will give the crew member such alcohol concentration. Further is stated that if any incident has occurred during work hours which may be the cause of an investigation after landing, no alcohol, drugs or anesthetics shall be consumed the first 6 hours after the duty period ends. (Does not apply after the policies has let a doctor take a blood sample or decided that a blood sample shall not be taken). Compagnie Africaine d Aviation (CAA) Crew members shall be aware by that the Authority may revoke the license privileges or the company may resiliate the contract if any crew member is prosecuted for doing flight duty under the influence of alcohol. For safety reason, the Compagnie Africaine d Aviation (CAA) can proceed for random alcohol test to crew member or key personnel. The Commander make a random alcohol test before flight duties by the recommendation of Director of Flight Operations. 6.1.2 Narcotics The use of narcotics is expressly forbidden at any time. All personnel who are identified as engaging in any kind of problematic use of psychoactive substances are removed from safety-critical functions. 6.1.2.1 Narcotics Screening A test on narcotics or psychoactive substances shall by means of blood or urine testing be conducted with every regular medical examination. A positive result may be the basis for the contact cancellation. 6.1.3 Drugs Many medications may have adverse effects on the nervous system, which may be more marked in flight than on the ground. As a general rule, if a crew member finds it necessary to take, or has been prescribed some form of medication, his fitness to fly must be suspect, and he shall seek aero medical advice before commencing or continuing with flying duties.
5 of 11 6.1.4 Sleeping Tablets The use of sleeping tablets is expressly forbidden less than 8 hours prior to the specified reporting time for flight duty or the commencement of standby. 6.1.5 Pharmaceutical Preparations Effects and side effects of medication prescribed by a doctor may have detrimental unforeseen consequences on flight safety. Crew members shall seek flight-medical advice on possible effects on the fitness for flight duty. 6.1.6 Vaccinations All crew members should be vaccinated against those covered sub-paragraph 6.1.6.1 Crew members are responsible themselves for the validity of their vaccinations. 6.1.6.1 Validity of Vaccinations Yellow fever Cholera Typhoid fever Malaria Tetanus Poliomyelitis Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Tuberculosis Diphtheria 10 days to 10 years after the vaccination 7 days to 6 months after the vaccination 8 days to 12 months after the vaccination (vaccination not requested, however oral vaccination with Typhoral dragees recommended; in cases of doubt, consult a physician) A prophylaxis is recommended prior to the entry into endangered areas. In cases of doubt, consult a physician. After three vaccinations, up to 10 years After three vaccinations, up to 10 years (vaccination not requested but recommended). 10 days to 10 years after the vaccination recommended, for validity consult a physician For validity consult a physician For validity consult a physician After a vaccination: do not have alcoholic drinks for at least 24 hours. Vaccinations must be made at least 24 hours prior to a flight. In case of strong reactions on vaccinations, consult a physician who will decide on the fitness to fly or to work. 6.1.6.2 Immunization For flights requiring special inoculations, all Compagnie Africaine d Aviation (CAA) crew members shall have valid inoculations. Flight Operations shall via the Flight Dispatch, inform the selected crew members of any such planned flight. The Flight Dispatch must take these requirements into consideration when preparing flights to remote countries/areas requiring vaccination; and After inoculation flight duty should not be performed within 24 hours. Any feeling of indisposition after having received inoculations of any kind should immediately lead to contacting the Flight Dispatch will then contact the aero medical adviser who will decide when flight duty can be resumed.
6 of 11 6.1.7 Deep Diving Crew members of Compagnie Africaine d'aviation (CAA) shall not participate in scuba diving to depths beyond 10 m within 24 hours before flight duties. 6.1.8 Blood Donation Compagnie Africaine d Aviation (CAA) Crew should not donate blood. If for any reason he donates his blood, he will immediately notify the Flight Operations Department via the Chief Pilot or the Cabin Manager respectively. Compagnie Africaine d Aviation (CAA) Crew shall, within 48 hours of donating blood, make hemoglobin analysis with a DRC CAA approved Practitioner, then transmit the commented results to the DRC CAA through the Flight Operations Department. However, seven days after donating blood, no analysis of hemoglobin is required to resume flight duty. However, Compagnie Africaine d Aviation (CAA) Crew cannot take a flight earlier than 48 hours following a blood donation. 6.1.9 Meal Precautions Prior to and During Flight Sensible precautions must be taken to avoid the risk of food poisoning (e.g. from shellfish of dubious freshness). During flight, the commander and the First Officer must have meals of different types and shall eat at different times. During en-route stops, pilots operating together should select different items from the menu to reduce the possibility that both of them could become incapacitated. Symptoms and treatment of poisoning The character and severity of the symptoms depend on the nature and dose of the toxin and the resistance of the patient. Onset may be sudden. Malaise, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, intestinal gurgling, diarrhea and varying degree of prostration may be experienced. Bed rest with convenient access to bathroom, commode, or bedpan is desirable. Severe cases should be hospitalized. Treatment is mostly symptomatic and all cases should be seen by a medical doctor. 6.1.10 Sleep and Rest Although the regulations related to flight and duty periods are intended to ensure that adequate opportunities are provided for crew members to obtain rest and sleep, individuals should ensure that proper advantage is taken of such opportunities. 6.1.11 Surgical Operations Aero medical advice should be sought prior to returning to flying duties following any surgical procedure.
7 of 11 6.1.12 Malaria Transmission: Infection takes place through the bite of an infected anopheles mosquito and transmission of the parasite into the human blood stream. Geographical distribution: Variable, consult medical department. Incubation period: The incubation period usually ranges from 10 to 35 days. Morbidity: Malaria causes several million deaths each year. Symptoms: An acute, sometimes chronic, often recurrent, febrile disease characterized by periodic paroxysms of chills followed by high fever and sweating due to the presence of parasites in blood. The early stage of the illness can very easily be confused with many other infectious diseases, the more so if this arises after return to a temperate region where your doctor may not think immediately of the possibility of Malaria. Prophylaxis: Preventive measures include use of insect repellent sprays to protect skin, screens on doors and windows, mosquito netting in bedrooms, sufficient clothing to cover as much as the skin surface as possible against mosquito bites (this is important after sundown). It is not possible to produce permanent immunity either chemically or by the use of vaccines. Therefore chemical prophylactic drugs are only effective as long as they are taken regularly. Treatment: Under medical supervision. Malaria can be fatal if treatment is delayed. Therefore after having been in a malarial area, if you feel unwell or have an unusual temperature within four weeks of leaving the area, tell your doctor; don't wait to be asked. 6.1.13 Vision Correction Compagnie Africaine d Aviation (CAA) flight crew members who are required by the licensing authorities to wear corrective lenses in order to satisfy visual requirements laid down for granting of licenses, are required to carry a spare pair of spectacles with them on all occasions whilst operating their license. Spectacles, either corrective or anti-glare, when worn by flight crew during flight should be of a type of frame that allows maximum peripheral vision. The examination for the prescription of a spectacle correction should ideally be carried out by an examiner with some understanding of the problems of vision in aviation. Near vision correction Where the only correction necessary is for reading, pilots should never use full lens spectacles while flying - because the pilot's task requires frequent changes from near to distant vision and the latter is blurred by reading glasses. Half moon spectacles or lower segment lenses with a neutral upper segment should be used in these circumstances. Near and distant vision correction Where correction for both near and distant vision is required, bifocal lenses are essential and pilots should discuss with their medical examiner the shape and size most suitable for each segment. Where triple correction is necessary for reading, the instrument panel range and distant vision, then specialist advice is required.
8 of 11 6.1.14 Humidity The relative humidity of cabin air is much lower in flight than that to which we are accustomed. Coffee and especially black coffee, being a diuretic (kidney stimulant) can exacerbate the effects of reduced humidity. Symptoms resulting from low humidity are dryness of the nose, mouth and throat and general tiredness. 6.1.15 Diurnal Rhythm It is a well-established fact that our bodies have a diurnal cycle or rhythm. This means that our chemical, psychological and physiological activity are high during our normal waking hours, and are low during our normal sleeping hours. They reach the lowest point at about 4 a.m. When we fly across time zones, that are either east-west or west-east, we may interrupt our diurnal cycle. However, there is no proof that this is harmful to our health. To minimize the tiring effects of interruption to our day-night biological cycle we should: When away from home adhere as much as possible to home time for sleeping, eating and bowel function Take adequate rest before flight Eat light snacks at three or four hourly intervals to increase alertness. 6.1.16 Fatigue Any crewmember shall not commence a flight duty or continue a flight duty after an intermediate landing if he is aware that he is too fatigued or will be too fatigued before next landing. The basic responsibility in fatigue management rests with the individual crewmember who should report for duty in a reasonably rested state and in an emotionally fit state to perform his expected duty. This includes attention to such factors as sleep, personal fitness and health, life style and activities prior to flight. Due allowance for any adverse effects of these factors should be taken into account to ensure that fatigue which would significantly affect operating performance is not encountered during flight duties. 6.1.17 Pregnancy Any crewmember who becomes pregnant must immediately, upon becoming aware of such pregnancy, notify her management. Certification of "unfitness to fly" shall be in writing from the attending physician and shall indicate the expected date of delivery. Upon receipt of such a notice, the crewmember will be removed from flying duties. 6.1.18 Anesthesia Compagnie Africaine d Aviation (CAA) crew members shall not perform their duties within 48 hours after general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia. They shall not perform their duties within 24 hours of a local or partial anesthesia.
9 of 11 6.2 REGULAR MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS 6.2.1 General Crew members of Compagnie Africaine d'aviation (CAA) are obliged to have their fitness for flight duty regularly checked by a physician qualified for that purpose according to the table below: Type of License Class Validity Airline Transport Pilot 1 12 months Commercial Pilot 1 12 months Cabin Crew 2 12 months ATE 2 12 months Crew planning will grant the crew members one free day for the respective medical check. The crew members are obliged to arrange in good time an examination date with an approved DRC CAA medical practitioner, in agreement with Crew Planning, and to observe that date. 6.2.2 Additional Medical Examinations When a crew member should have reasonable doubts regarding his/her fitness for flight duty or should suspect a tropical disease, he/she is obliged to subject himself/herself to an examination by a crew examiner/specialist for tropical diseases. Following an illness having lasted for more than 20 days, following a hospital treatment or on request of the Director of flight Operations, a certificate of fitness for flight duty must be submitted. 6.2.3 Notification of Sickness All Operations Department personnel will report to Flight Dispatch as soon as they become unfit for duty. Any absence from duty for medical reasons or injury for more than 28 days must be reported to the DRC CAA. Any physical deficiency that renders a flight crew member unable to meet the requirements of his/her DRC medical certificate shall be reported to his/her supervisor. The Compagnie Africaine d Aviation (CAA) flight crew member who has been off flying duty because of sickness or accident for more than 30 consecutive days may not return to flight duty without the approval of the DRC CAA approved medical practitioner. 6.2.3.1 Sickness at Home Base All crew members are obliged to inform Flight Dispatch without delay in case of sickness or after having regained fitness for subsequent flight duty. To enable reasonable planning, possible changes in the course of the illness shall be notified to Flight Dispatch as soon as possible. Flight Dispatch has to be informed by the Crew Member of being sick at the latest by 21:00 of the first day of the sickness.
10 of 11 If the sickness lasts more than 24 hours, the crew member must provide a medical certificate stating the duration of the rest period. Note: It is the responsibility of the Crew Member to inform Flight Dispatch/Crew Roster on the last day of sickness, before 18:00 (local time) or as soon as possible. Failure to do so will prolong the duration of sickness period. Medical Certificate must be provided when a crew member has reported sickness. The Compagnie Africaine d'aviation (CAA) has the right to verify the accuracy of each medical certificate provided. 6.2.3.2 Sickness Down Route In case of sickness down route, the FSO must immediately be informed. It is the duty of the flight crew to arrange for competent medical treatment. The flight crew on duty will decide if a replacement is required. He will communicate with Flight Dispatch Office immediately to report the situation and mutually decide about actions to be taken. 6.2.3.3 Sickness During Vacation All Compagnie Africaine d'aviation crew and operations staff have to advise Flight Dispatch Office if they should suffer illness or injury during vacation and if there is a possibility that they may be unable to report fit for duty at the end of their leave period.
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