Kickingpost
17th Oct 2008, 02:12
October 16, 2008
CBC News
Someone used a hand-held l@zer pointer to target a plane leaving from the Calgary airport. (Canadian Press)
Transport Canada and police are investigating a complaint that a WestJet pilot was hit in the eye with a green l@zer beam while his plane was taking off from the Calgary airport, CBC News has learned.
This is at least the fourth incident this year where someone has used a hand-held l@zer pointer to target a plane leaving from, or arriving at, the Calgary airport.
The WestJet flight had just taken off from Calgary, bound for Kelowna, B.C., almost two weeks ago when a green l@zer briefly lit up the cockpit, said WestJet official Scott Wilson.
The first officer looked out to see where it was coming from and was hit directly in the eyes.
The crew member did not suffer any permanent damage, which could jeopardize a pilot's career.
"As soon as they got to [the] destination, we had them off-loaded from the aircraft and report to emergency for a proper ophthalmologic exam," said Wilson. "And we actually had one more followup when they returned to Calgary a day later."
Wilson said powerful l@zer pointers are widely available and safe to use according to their instructions. But he warns that the police take incidents where a plane is being tracked with a l@zer very seriously, especially when planes are landing or taking off.
"I don't know if the individuals that are perpetrating such things truly understand the danger of the l@zer versus it's kind of fun to point a light at the aircraft. But you know, anything that can cause long-term ill effects to our employees or our guests causes us concern, great concern quite honestly."
Transport Canada said had received at least 33 reports of bright lights shining into cockpits from the ground over the past two years in Canada, as of April.
David Mackow pleaded guilty earlier this year to breaching the Aeronautics Act after an Air Canada Jazz pilot was distracted by a green l@zer beam while landing in Calgary on Oct. 15, 2007. The l@zer beam came from an apartment in the city's downtown core.
The pilot reported the incident and Calgary police dispatched its HAWCS helicopter to investigate. Mackow, a forklift operator, pointed the green beam into the helicopter.
Mackow told police he was "just having some fun," but was fined $1,000. Court records show that he later expressed remorse for his actions.
What the ????..............................
"As soon as they got to [the] destination, we had them off-loaded from the aircraft and report to emergency for a proper ophthalmologic exam," said Wilson. "And we actually had one more followup when they returned to Calgary a day later."
If it was so bad that they need to be examined then why not land in Calgary instead of flying 1 hour to Kelowna?
AND...........
I hope they didnt operate the flight back to Calgary a day later if it was still bothering them. Unfit for duty?
CBC News
Someone used a hand-held l@zer pointer to target a plane leaving from the Calgary airport. (Canadian Press)
Transport Canada and police are investigating a complaint that a WestJet pilot was hit in the eye with a green l@zer beam while his plane was taking off from the Calgary airport, CBC News has learned.
This is at least the fourth incident this year where someone has used a hand-held l@zer pointer to target a plane leaving from, or arriving at, the Calgary airport.
The WestJet flight had just taken off from Calgary, bound for Kelowna, B.C., almost two weeks ago when a green l@zer briefly lit up the cockpit, said WestJet official Scott Wilson.
The first officer looked out to see where it was coming from and was hit directly in the eyes.
The crew member did not suffer any permanent damage, which could jeopardize a pilot's career.
"As soon as they got to [the] destination, we had them off-loaded from the aircraft and report to emergency for a proper ophthalmologic exam," said Wilson. "And we actually had one more followup when they returned to Calgary a day later."
Wilson said powerful l@zer pointers are widely available and safe to use according to their instructions. But he warns that the police take incidents where a plane is being tracked with a l@zer very seriously, especially when planes are landing or taking off.
"I don't know if the individuals that are perpetrating such things truly understand the danger of the l@zer versus it's kind of fun to point a light at the aircraft. But you know, anything that can cause long-term ill effects to our employees or our guests causes us concern, great concern quite honestly."
Transport Canada said had received at least 33 reports of bright lights shining into cockpits from the ground over the past two years in Canada, as of April.
David Mackow pleaded guilty earlier this year to breaching the Aeronautics Act after an Air Canada Jazz pilot was distracted by a green l@zer beam while landing in Calgary on Oct. 15, 2007. The l@zer beam came from an apartment in the city's downtown core.
The pilot reported the incident and Calgary police dispatched its HAWCS helicopter to investigate. Mackow, a forklift operator, pointed the green beam into the helicopter.
Mackow told police he was "just having some fun," but was fined $1,000. Court records show that he later expressed remorse for his actions.
What the ????..............................
"As soon as they got to [the] destination, we had them off-loaded from the aircraft and report to emergency for a proper ophthalmologic exam," said Wilson. "And we actually had one more followup when they returned to Calgary a day later."
If it was so bad that they need to be examined then why not land in Calgary instead of flying 1 hour to Kelowna?
AND...........
I hope they didnt operate the flight back to Calgary a day later if it was still bothering them. Unfit for duty?