Green Laser targeting landing aircraft

[Sasquash]

Good day all

What prompted me in initiating this thread was a while ago, while on an layover trip, in Saskatchewan. Some of the folks at the airport were discussing about a C-182 being targeted by a green laser during night flying.

This got me curious and after researching, I was able to determine that green laser is a rather nasty piece of equipment, allegedly for use in astronomy, where you can point at the stars on a clear night. To make matters worse, they can be bought rather easily right over the internet.

Unfortunately, some wise guys believe aircraft landing and/or operating near airports are also part of the star system and they sometime target these aircraft in all phases of flight, including landing mode. Green laser are extremely harmful and direct hit in the eyes, can cause permanent damage with extremely short exposure. TC website has several articles on that topic.

I then had a look in the public Cadors using the word LASER in the narrative. Found out that while there were a few occurrences over the years, all of a sudden in 2007, we have over 18 incidents, across Canada, several involving 705 operation, and one of which involving two large aircraft on simultaneous approach Toronto Lester B. airport.

I found this unsettling enough that I feel this should be passed on to the community. Being aware of the fact is the main thing. Direct hit on the eyes are difficult but possible. Usually a laser user will hit the aircraft itself, then the beam is directed toward the cockpit. So green lights dancing on the wings are a good clue not to look, protect your eyes, and turn away from the source of whatever.

Don’t forget to report the incident, as there have been offenders tagged by the authorities and taken to court, charged under the criminal code. If this is kind of information is of interest to this site, great. Hope it helps somebody in keeping their eye sights.

Fly safe

[Conquest Driver]

Hey, thanks. I appreciate the information.

[SkyWolfe]

wow, thats totally bizzare, I didnt even think there was such a thing as a green laser... Shows how backwards I am hehehe

Thank you for the info!!!

[mikegtzg]

I always thought that a Green laser was actually a Green Kryptonite beam developed by Lex Luthor to render Superman defenseless.

[Youngback]

You're right. That's how he did it. A green kryptonite laser aimed at Supe's eyes.

[C-FABH]

All kinds of cases like these in the USA, usually some Joe Shmoe in his backyard "wanting to see if it really works". And thankfully the FBI has a habit of catching them very quickly, they end up facing some serious jail time.

[nacho]

One of these ?

https://www.greatlandlaser.com/index.php?categoryID=13

[Driving Rain]

Christmas is coming

[F/O Crunch]

What are these lasers commonly used for?? I see you wrote that they can be used for pointing at stars....... but then what?
foc

[nacho]

They make a good flare in case of distress ...

[Raybanman]

The University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon has an Observatory doesn't it? Did this 182 happen to be doing a sightseeing flight southeast of the airport? or turning left base for 27? If you drive by the university you can see the radio telescope on top of the building behind the Ag barnds etc. One could suspect that the laser was being used to align a telescope/dish and the aircraft flew into it. Or it could be some jerk with a lot of time on his hands...

PP

[CD]

DOT/FAA/AM-04/9

The Effects of Laser Illumination on Operational and Visual Performance of Pilots During Final Approach

INTRODUCTION: Several hundred incidents involving the illumination of aircrew members by laser light have been reported in recent years, including several that could have had serious consequences. The purpose of this report is to evaluate the performance of pilots exposed to visible laser radiation during final approach maneuvers at 100 feet above the runway in the Laser-Free Zone (LFZ).

METHODS: Thirty-four pilots served as test subjects for this study. Pilot performance was assessed in a Boeing 727-200 Level C flight simulator using four eye-safe levels of visible laser light (0, 0.5, 5, and 50 μW/cm2) during four final approach maneuvers (three 30o left and one 30o right turn to final approach). Subjective responses were solicited after each trial and during an exit interview. The pilots were asked to rate on a scale from 1 to 5 (1 = none, 2 = slight, 3 = moderate, 4 = great, and 5 = very great) the affect each laser exposure had on their ability to operate the aircraft and on their visual performance. The average subjective ratings were calculated for each exposure level and flight maneuver, and an analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed.

RESULTS: Average subjective ratings for operational and visual performance were 2.93 (Range = 2.35 – 3.29; SD = 1.37) and 3.16 (Range = 2.56 – 3.62; SD = 1.30), respectively. ANOVA found statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) between the 0.5 μW/cm2 operational and visual performance ratings and those for the 5 and 50 μW/cm2 exposures. Approximately 75% of the survey responses indicated that subjects experienced adverse visual effects resulting in some degree of operational difficulty when illuminated by low-level laser radiation.

CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that the illumination of flight crewmembers with laser radiation ≥ 0.5 μW/cm2 is unacceptable in the LFZ. Provided the exposure limit established for the LFZ (i.e., 50 nW/cm2) is not exceeded, a sufficient margin of safety appears to exist for protecting pilots from accidental laser exposure during final approach.

Full Report Here...

Lasers as Viewed from Flight (3 mins)
High Speed Connection
Low Speed Connection

DOT/FAA/AM-01/7

Laser Pointers: Their Potential Affects on Vision and Aviation Safety

INTRODUCTION: Laser pointers have been used for years to highlight key areas on charts and screens during visual presentations. When used in a responsible manner, laser pointers are not considered hazardous. While momentary ocular exposure to the light emitted by these devices can be startling to the observer and may result in temporary visual impairment, such exposures are too brief to cause any permanent ocular injury. However, as the availability of laser pointers has increased, so have reports of their misuse by some children and adults. In recent years, both the Food and Drug Administration and the American Academy of Ophthalmology have issued warnings concerning the possibility of eye injury from handheld laser pointers and recommended keeping these devices away from children. The purpose of this report was to investigate the illumination of aircraft by laser pointers in the National Airspace System.

CASE REPORTS: From January 1996 to July 1999, the FAA’s Western-Pacific Region identified more than 150 incidents in which low-flying aircraft were illuminated by lasers. Laser pointers were used in the majority of these incidents, and there were several occurrences of visual impairment to the pilot. Representative examples of documented reports are presented that involved the illumination of civilian flight crewmembers by these hand-held devices.

CONCLUSIONS: Laser pointers have caused ocular injury and may compromise aviation safety when used to illuminate aircraft in critical phases of flight. The physiological effects of exposure to laser light and the regulation and classification of commercial laser products are discussed. The proper selection and use of these devices can minimize the threat of temporary incapacitation and eye injury.

Full Report Here...

Wiki - Lasers and Aviation Safety

[Sasquash]

raybanman

Cador says: "A Mitchinson Flying Service Cessna 182 was on a Saskatoon police patrol when the pilot reported being targeted by a green laser coming from the southeast side of the city. The light was intense enough that the pilot had problems seeing the instruments. The aircraft continued to patrol and reported further incidents with a laser being directed at the aircraft. Ground officers were directed to the area and subsequently apprehended the individual with the laser"

Folks I spoke to ( 2nd, 3rd hand info remember) indicated the matter is with the crown prosecutor at this time.

[Ref Plus 10]

Green laser sometimes utilized on .50 cal sniper rifles...

[kingeddie]

Hi guys

I wanted to add a bit on using Lasers as a flare during a search situation . like myself all searchers are using NVGS at night . And lasers make a fantastic replacement for flares or fires etc . So I would say carry one by all means in your gear .. Here comes the BUT .... If you ever use one DO NOT point them at the search aircraft as they can permanently destroy the NVG units being used to find you .. Point them straight up at a cloud or fan them at a 45 degree angle to the earth particularey through an obscuring phenom like smoke and you would not believe how far away you can see them from ..

KE

[futboler14]

i thought i was cleared to land?

woops

[Louis]

kingeddie, thanks for that bit of info. Now, would there be a preference for a type of laser for this purpose in particular? red? green? doesn't matter?

Thanks,

Louis

[JTFA]

Tell TC about it, may be (doubt) they do something about it

[Mark_space]

This discussion brings to mind an incident between a Russian merchant vessel and a CF CH-124 (Sea King) off the B.C. coast...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strait_of_ ... r_incident

ZM-87 Portable Laser Disturber...sounds nasty...

[Lommer]

Green lasers are vastly preferable to red lasers. They have a shorter wavelength and therefore higher powere/energy. Further, the green laser wavelength diffracts easily in normal air, so you can see the actual beam of the laser, not just the dot - this is why they are ideal for stargazing as one can point out stars with them.

I agree, a green laser pointing straight upwards, perhaps moving a bit to attract attention would make a great rescue flare. On the other hand, anyone pointing a laser of any kind at an aircraft should be charged with conspiracy to commit murder of every soul on board...

[rigpiggy]

Green laser sometimes utilized on .50 cal sniper rifles...

For what, not aiming, possibly ranging

[oldtimer]

What kind of laser machines are being used?
Are they the type teachers use as pointers in school or is it something bigger. I have a small school type laser pointer powered by 3 small button batteries but the light output is unbelievable. I pointed it at some trees the other night and the light output was something else.
Would that be harmful to pilots because those things can be bought anywhere for a few bucks.

[benoit.baril]

I remember some friends getting in trouble in High School for painting teachers with lasers...
With the real same model as the one shown below...
NOT

Star Wars is probably a documentary that Marty McFly took back with him few years ago to make some money.
How futurist!

Interesting link:

http://writingcompany.blogs.com/this_is ... _the_.html