…And Oz Talks Testing Down Under, Too

A fatal accident in which the pilot tested positive for marijuana and alcohol has led Australian aviation authorities to consider different options for drug and alcohol testing. John Anderson, Minister for Transport and Regional Services, has ordered a study on testing that will include the impact on safety and the cost to the industry. The data-gathering will be handled by the Department of Transport and Regional Service and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and they are looking for input from pilots, charter operations, large and small airlines, air traffic controllers and others. Several issues will be addressed including whether the testing should be random or regular, who would do the testing, who would be tested and how much it would cost. The study should be in Anderson’s hands by September 30 of this year.