I've posted a couple times in the past about people who seem to think that pointing laser pointers at aircraft is a good idea. I've always had the opinions that such people are cowards; they have some kind of objection to the aircraft in their vicinity (noise, odd hours, etc) but they choose to attack the pilots of the aircraft using what they presume is an anonymous attack. Not unlike internet keyboard commandos who will say things online that they would never say in person.
Some of these laser pointers, incidentally, are not the type used to make cats crazy and illustrate overhead projections in boring meetings, either. Although there are limits to the legal power of laser pointers in the USA, apparently the law is rather easy to circumvent, and many places sell kits and other forms of high-powered laser pointers that far exceed the legal limits in the USA for consumer use.
Shining such a laser in the eyes of a pilot can temporarily blind them and make it impossibly to safely fly the plane or land safely. There have been some near-misses with regard to pilots impaired by lasers aimed at them by people on the ground.
Now it appears the US is getting serious.
http://wtkr.com/2012/10/19/virginia...8-months-for-blinding-navy-pilots-with-laser/
Well, I am glad to hear it. I hope they catch more of these morons and put them in prison for a good long time. What they're doing is dangerous, nearly like shooting a rifle at passing planes. Chances are low that a shot like that would bring down a plane, but it if does through fluke or happenstance, there will be lots of dead people. And all because a person is ticked off by the noise? Well there's a sane response, eh? Just try to kill the people responsible for disturbing your beauty rest!
Some of these laser pointers, incidentally, are not the type used to make cats crazy and illustrate overhead projections in boring meetings, either. Although there are limits to the legal power of laser pointers in the USA, apparently the law is rather easy to circumvent, and many places sell kits and other forms of high-powered laser pointers that far exceed the legal limits in the USA for consumer use.
Shining such a laser in the eyes of a pilot can temporarily blind them and make it impossibly to safely fly the plane or land safely. There have been some near-misses with regard to pilots impaired by lasers aimed at them by people on the ground.
Now it appears the US is getting serious.
http://wtkr.com/2012/10/19/virginia...8-months-for-blinding-navy-pilots-with-laser/
Well, I am glad to hear it. I hope they catch more of these morons and put them in prison for a good long time. What they're doing is dangerous, nearly like shooting a rifle at passing planes. Chances are low that a shot like that would bring down a plane, but it if does through fluke or happenstance, there will be lots of dead people. And all because a person is ticked off by the noise? Well there's a sane response, eh? Just try to kill the people responsible for disturbing your beauty rest!
