Quote:
"What are the regulators doing?"
Well, not knowing that pointers were the main problem, the FAA decided it had authority and banned commercial and most scientific outdoor laser use in the US a decade or so ago until new rules were made. Then they found the problem was more than one or two rogue, automated, laser shows at a hotel in Vegas, causing huge problems for McCarren a long time ago.
Until cheap Chinese pointers flooded the market, on average there were less then two reported laser illuminations of aircraft per year. Which is why many of us who worked with outdoor lasers legally are STEAMING MAD.
Laser Safety in the US is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, who co-operates with FAA and DOD on lasers in airspace.
FAA at first had the idea that it was not possible for a wimpy pointer to cause problems, and that it had to be professional or scientific lasers causing the problem. They had the Centers for Devices and Radiologic Health spent a lot of time looking for "rogue" commercial laser gear. That was not the case, as we know now.
Then came some eye opening FAA simulator studies on just how little light was disruptive.
US Customs works hard to confiscate imports of laser pointers at the border, So does the UK, Germany, and Oz. Most of those nations declare a legal pointer to be no more then one or five milliwatts... But stuff leaks thru like crazy.
In the US, FAA had the Society of Automotive Engineers form the G10 committee, which formulated a laser safety standard that became FAA 7400.D (now 7400.G) which is safe use of Lasers in Airspace, and requires qualified users to formulate a plan to integrate their laser use with an airspace specialist at FAA, with review by DOD in the US. Those rules have been copied around the world with slight variations. I'll get to the effects of that when I get to SZED, CZED and airport runway centerline exclusion zones.
Of course pointer users generally don't even understand something like 7400.G exists, so the problem continued.
Many of the first prosecutions were for "Interfering with an Aircrew"
Over time its lead to a law...
In the US, You can now get five years in Federal Prison or a massive fine, plus there are state laws and local laws...
Here it is:
U.S.C. TITLE 18, CHAPTER 2
Sec. 39A. Aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft
(a) OFFENSE -- Whoever knowingly aims the beam of a laser pointer at an aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States, or at the flight path of such an aircraft, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.
(b) LASER POINTER DEFINED -- As used in this section, the term `laser pointer' means any device designed or used to amplify electromagnetic radiation by stimulated emission that emits a beam designed to be used by the operator as a pointer or highlighter to indicate, mark, or identify a specific position, place, item, or object.
(c) EXCEPTIONS -- This section does not prohibit aiming a beam of a laser pointer at an aircraft, or the flight path of such an aircraft, by--
(1) an authorized individual in the conduct of research and development or flight test operations conducted by an aircraft manufacturer, the Federal Aviation Administration, or any other person authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct such research and development or flight test operations;
(2) members or elements of the Department of Defense or Department of Homeland Security acting in an official capacity for the purpose of research, development, operations, testing or training; or
(3) by an individual using a laser emergency signaling device to send an emergency distress signal.
(d) The Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, may provide by regulation, after public notice and comment, such additional exceptions to this section, as may be necessary and appropriate. The Attorney General shall provide written notification of any proposed regulations under this section to the Committees on the Judiciary of the House and Senate, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure in the House, and the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation in the Senate not less than 90 days before such regulations become final."
END QUOTE
More to come, when I'm not at work... And yes there are window coatings, low visual impact goggles, various kind of shades, laser countermeasures, specialized gear for helos, and prototypes and patents on tunable notch goggles...
I have a friend who is a noted Helo pilot and consultant, and this subject has came up often..
Just in the past, when the legit laser user groups talked to the pilot groups, all laser users got lumped together. There were a few pilots on the G10 committee who listened...
In my next post I'll get to exposure levels and selecting proper goggles, which is what most of you want to hear... I can't advise you to wear something in the cockpit, as pilots need to follow national rules and follow SOPs, but I can show you some links and the basics...
Sim,