Here is an extract from today's AIAA daily newsletter:
FAA Predicts 35% Rise In Laser Aircraft Incidents.
The Orlando Sentinel (9/16) reports, "So far this year lasers have been aimed at aircraft an average of nine times a night, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. It has grown to be such a problem that in June, the FAA imposed a civil penalty of $11,000 for pointing a laser into the cockpit of an aircraft." FAA spokesman Jim Peters warned that some laser pointers on the market are capable of nearly instant close-range retinal damage. The FAA "predicts laser aircraft incidents in 2011 will top last year's record of 2,776 by 35%."
One problem is that almost all non-aerospace people I talk to are not aware of this danger. I have never seen a single public warning message on TV and only ocasionally see an article in a newspaper.
I have attended astronomical meetings where instructors or astronomers use laser pointers to point out stars and constellations; when I tell them it is illegal they say they are doing no harm.
I have no doubt some people point lasers at aircraft on purpose.
FAA Predicts 35% Rise In Laser Aircraft Incidents.
The Orlando Sentinel (9/16) reports, "So far this year lasers have been aimed at aircraft an average of nine times a night, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. It has grown to be such a problem that in June, the FAA imposed a civil penalty of $11,000 for pointing a laser into the cockpit of an aircraft." FAA spokesman Jim Peters warned that some laser pointers on the market are capable of nearly instant close-range retinal damage. The FAA "predicts laser aircraft incidents in 2011 will top last year's record of 2,776 by 35%."
One problem is that almost all non-aerospace people I talk to are not aware of this danger. I have never seen a single public warning message on TV and only ocasionally see an article in a newspaper.
I have attended astronomical meetings where instructors or astronomers use laser pointers to point out stars and constellations; when I tell them it is illegal they say they are doing no harm.
I have no doubt some people point lasers at aircraft on purpose.
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