So a couple of nights ago, stopping off at Trenton 2 shoot some night ILS approaches on the way back from exploring Gettysburg b4 headin north for home. Just handed off from Trenton to Mcguire maybe 3 or 4 miles past channel 52 at 3k feet. SOme momo on the ground shines a light that illuminates the cockpit not quite like daylight,but damn near it and bright enough 2 see everthing and kill my night vision. The lights reflecting off the high wings of the Cessna and its just unavoidable. From maybe a bit over a mile away and even a mile past this #(#@ held that thing so it was glinting off the wings. Had 2 putt around blind as a bat for a couple of minutes. I've never seen a freakin light that bright in my life. How the heck are little hand held lasers legal and these things A-ok. My onl recourse was notifying Maguire to avoid sending planes over.
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What makes you think it was a laser?
What you describe doesn’t sound like a laser.
From this description you left it sounds like you were hit by a searchlight like a nightsun.
If it was a real powerful searchlight it could’ve been an old-fashioned carbon arc searchlight.
Ormer Locklear, was killed when he was blinded by a carbon arc searchlight while he was piloting an aircraft at night ( I think without instruments) filming for a movie.
He was a very famous wing walker. He was one of the first to do automobile to aircraft transfers. There are some famous photos and movies of him transferring from automobiles to aircraft, aircraft or aircraft, crashing through barns, and when he clipped/crashed a church steeple.
Just a few decades ago it was common for stores to rent searchlights to attract attention for sales. I think this has become less common because it is easier to advertise now and because all of the complaints from the aviation community. You kids are spoiled nowadays,
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Originally posted by bob12312357.....How the heck are little hand held lasers legal and these things A-ok. My onl recourse was notifying Maguire to avoid sending planes over.
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Originally posted by ATFS_CrashWhat makes you think it was a laser?
What you describe doesn’t sound like a laser.
From this description you left it sounds like you were hit by a searchlight like a nightsun.
If it was a real powerful searchlight it could’ve been an old-fashioned carbon arc searchlight.
Ormer Locklear, was killed when he was blinded by a carbon arc searchlight while he was piloting an aircraft at night ( I think without instruments) filming for a movie.
He was a very famous wing walker. He was one of the first to do automobile to aircraft transfers. There are some famous photos and movies of him transferring from automobiles to aircraft, aircraft or aircraft, crashing through barns, and when he clipped/crashed a church steeple.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ormer_Locklear
Just a few decades ago it was common for stores to rent searchlights to attract attention for sales. I think this has become less common because it is easier to advertise now and because all of the complaints from the aviation community. You kids are spoiled nowadays,
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Originally posted by HalcyonDaysI guess they're legal in the same way as knives and guns are also legal. They do have legitimate uses. Lasers being directed at pilots maliciously have been a recurrent problem in some parts of Europe. My understanding is that if the incident is reported as soon as possible (ie. over the radio to ATC), it may be possible for the offender to be tracked down, but obviously speed is of the essence.
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Originally posted by bob12312357read my post, it was a bright light, I was asking how lasers are illegal and this isn't. It wasn't a problem of a bright light, it was a problem the bright light was being shone and held on me for a couple of minutes straight and I was dazed and disorientated the entire time. I've had searchlight for movie theathers pass over the plane a few times, but it was so quick it didn't affect me, and they weren't half as bright. This thing was rediculous.
I am under the impression that in most if not all of the world it is illegal to hold a high-powered spotlight on a flying aircraft for any significant time. I would consider it an act of terrorism to hold a spotlight on an a peaceful aircraft. . I think the only time it is legal to hold a high-powered searchlight on an aircraft, is as defense in war or terrorism.
I think searchlights are sometimes used to ward off aircraft that are entering restricted airspace. Where you by any chance anywhere near restricted airspace?
( My apologies I misinterpreted your post into meaning laser)
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