m the body is essentially the same. Therefore, the more alcohol an individual consumes, the longer it takes his/her body to get rid of it. Even after complete elimination of all of the alcohol in the body, there are undesirable effects-hangover-that can last 48 to 72 hours following the last drink. "The majority of adverse effects produced by alcohol relate to the brain, the eyes, and the inner ear-three, crucial organs to a pilot." (Miller & Morphet, 2000, pg 91) Brain effects include impaired reaction time, reasoning, judgment, and memory. Alcohol decreases the ability of the brain to make use of oxygen. This adverse effect can be magnified as a result of simultaneous exposure to altitude, characterized by a decreased partial pressure of oxygen. Visual symptoms include eye muscle imbalance, which leads to double vision and difficulty focusing. Inner ear effects include dizziness, and decreased hearing perception. If other variables are added, such as sleep deprivation, fatigue, medication use, altitude hypoxia, or flying at night or in bad weather, the negative effects are significantly magnified.
             "Table 2 summarizes some of the effects of various blood alcohol concentrations. The blood alcohol content values in the table overlap because of the wide variation in alcohol tolerance among individuals." (Howe & Battaglia, 1996, pg 112)
             0.01-0.05(10-50mg%) Average individual appears normal
             0.03-0.12*(30-120 mg%) Mild euphoria, talkativeness, decreased inhibitions, decreased attention, impaired judgment, increased reaction time
             0.09-0.25(90-250 mg%) Emotional instability, loss of critical judgment, impairment of memory and comprehension, decreased sensory response, mild muscular incoordination.
             0.18-0.30(180-300 mg%) Confusion, dizziness, exaggerated emotions (anger, fear, grief) impaired visual perception, decreased pain sensation, impaired balance, staggering gait, slurred speech, moderate muscular in...