Laser protection

Let'sgoflying!

Let'sgoflying!

Touchdown! Greaser!
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west Texas
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Dave Taylor
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I was just reading about another laser event and got to wondering if there are any mitigation devices for pilots or aircraft, or if that might be expected one day.
A quick search shows laser protection eyewear is not recommended because of interference with seeing cockpit displays, or ground lights.
Also wondered if a windshield coating could be developed that would help and not hinder.
Right now the incidence is pretty low, but who knows what things will be like in 10 years?
 
I have the green googles that came with my CNC laser, you wouldn't want to be flying around with those things on.
 
We get a fair number around here, for whatever reason.

They actually manage to arrest people for these more often than I'd expect, which is good but surprising to me. It hasn't happened to me, but I imagine I'd be able to report it about as precisely as "a little south of the medical center" or something like that (and that's in an area I know well), and by the time anyone can go look whoever it is would be long gone.

Unless they're dumb enough to stand in the same place and keep doing it until a cop taps them on the shoulder, I suppose.
 
There was a guy here in Belgium that did it to an F16, and a bit later to the police helicopter sent to that area to try and locate the idiot guy.

Worst one i had personally was someone next to the airport fence abeam the middle of the runway.
 
Let'sgoflying! said:
Right now the incidence is pretty low, but who knows what things will be like in 10 years?
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I don't know how you define "low incidence" but at 12,000+ laser events recorded annually I put that on the high side. As to protection, there are aircraft specific anti-laser glasses, etc. available and know a number of professional pilots that use them.
 
I've heard turning the lights off has worked.
 
The best mitigation will be the arrest and ruthless prosecution of such people. Once word gets around that a few guys have been hit with a felony conviction carrying a $250,000 fine and 5 years in prison for pointing a laser at an aircraft, I imagine most folks would be inclined to find other ways to have fun.
 
AvNavCom said:
The best mitigation will be the arrest and ruthless prosecution of such people.
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Unfortunately even that and warnings on the laser themselves do not mitigate the issue. Perhaps a couple public hangings on the issue might get their attention?
 
AvNavCom said:
The best mitigation will be the arrest and ruthless prosecution of such people. Once word gets around that a few guys have been hit with a felony conviction carrying a $250,000 fine and 5 years in prison for pointing a laser at an aircraft, I imagine most folks would be inclined to find other ways to have fun.
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While I agree with ya, I don't think that would deter first timers because they just got a new toy and instead of reading the rules, they just want to go outside and point.

But those first timers won't forget the fine and jail time and may not try it a second time.
 
I got hit with a green laser flying over Mt Carmel Ind. one night a few years ago.
It scared me bad! Thought I was colliding with another aircraft. It could have been real bad on approach.

I didn't report it but sure should have.
I got a glimpse of the source on the ground so I knew it came from that community.
 
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AvNavCom said:
The best mitigation will be the arrest and ruthless prosecution of such people. Once word gets around that a few guys have been hit with a felony conviction carrying a $250,000 fine and 5 years in prison for pointing a laser at an aircraft, I imagine most folks would be inclined to find other ways to have fun.
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I have a suggestion :biggrin:
 
There were two different green-laser events in MO when I was flying home Thursday night, and they were far enough apart that they were definitely separate despite both being in the blshow me state.

The controllers did ask the pilots for as specific of a location as they could give, and then were announcing it to other pilots who ventured near those spots.
 
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