Paul Michael Weddle arrested for operating an aircraft drunk
KVVU Fox 5 in Las Vegas reported this week that Paul Michael Weddle stole a plane, took off from Boulder City Municipal Airport in Nevada on Sunday evening and flew the plane drunk. A crime that is rare in this area.
Why was Paul Michael Weddle flying a plane?
Why does anyone do anything while they are drunk? According to Paul Michael Weddle he decided it would be the perfect time to try to complete the takeoff and landing portion of his pilots license. Although this was his explanation at the time of the arrest, police have not verified this information, and note that even if this was true, there is not a flight school in Boulder City. While its not uncommon for drivers to operate a motorized vehicle under the influence of alcohol, its unusual for a pilot to attempt to fly a plane. In the state of Nevada pilots who fly under the influence of alcohol or drugs can expect harsh federal FAA-mandated punishments, including possible prison time. Laws for flying under the influence are outlined in Federal Aviation Regulations which are governed by the Federal Aviation Administration. Under current law, pilots are not allowed to act or attempt to act as a crew member of a civil aircraft if any of the following apply:- They have consumed alcohol within the last 8 hours
- They are under the influence of alcohol;
- They are under the influence of any drug which affects their faculties in any way contrary to safety;
- They have an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or greater in a blood or breath specimen.