>>I can assure you, from personal experience, that even a little Class III laser pointing into your eyes can cause serious, even if only temporary, problems<<
Yep, that's my opinion, however unpopular in more learned quarters <g>. If I had only finished grade school...
>>Federal Aviation Administration officials are well aware of the potential dangers. A 2001 report by the FAA's Western-Pacific Region indicated that from January 1996 through July 1999, there were more than 150 incidents of low-flying planes being illuminated with lasers. In a number of those incidents, pilots suffered some visual impairment.<<
Here's the 2001 FAA report which concludes that even low powered laser pointers can somehow "get up to an airplane" and be dangerous in critical phases of flight:
"Conclusions: Laser pointers have caused ocular injury and may compromise aviation safety when used to illuminate aircraft in critical phases of flight..."
http://www.cami.jccbi.gov/aam-400A/A...0TEXT/0107.pdf
Also, from a 2003 FBI bulletin:
"...The majority of laser pointer illuminations cause reactions of startling, after imaging, or flash blinding. However, if the laser is powerful enough or sustained on the eye long enough, eye damage can occur. Additionally, bundling lasers, or "six-packs," is a technique that gangs in California have used against law enforcement helicopters. Many varieties of pointer lasers exist and some that project a beam that can reach 1,500 feet cost as little as $15. For a helicopter operating at night between 500 and 1,000 feet, laser beams can present a real threat to pilot safety."
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articl...2/ai_100876733