Opinion ID: 799063
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Expert Opinion on Impairment

Text: Both experts testified about the effects of alcohol and when an individual is considered impaired. Ms. Burbach testified that the scientific community considers any individual with a blood alcohol content (BAC) greater than .05 to be impaired. She explained that experienced drinkers have tolerance to the visible effects [of alcohol] but . . . cannot have tolerance to the cognitive effects, Appx., Vol. II, at 372, meaning that experienced drinkers generally do not exhibit outward signs of intoxication until their BAC is significantly higher than that of inexperienced drinkers. Ms. Burbach concluded that Mr. Cope's cognitive and psychomotor function was impaired. Id. at 437. She also concluded that Mr. Cope's ability to operate an aircraft would have been diminished and that he would have been unsafe to operate [the] aircraft. Id. at 415. Dr. Rosen admitted that an individual with a BAC of .084 should not be operating an aircraft. But when asked whether she thought Mr. Cope was impaired in light of the evidence that he performed his duties competently, she testified: [I]f he did everything he was supposed to do and his behavior was normal, I don't know that I would be uncomfortable with him flying. I don't know that I would be able to say he was impaired. Id. at 569.