Laser beams directed at planes

[flyby_kiwi]

I seem to recall seeing exactly this happen on CSI the other night. Hmmmmm

[whiteknuckleairlines]

If it was in NZ the offence would be "Endangering Transport" which has a maximum term of imprisonment of 5 years (could be 10) from memory.

Numerous charges could be laid....criminal nuisance, interferring with an a/c etc.

It has been happening for many years now and near on impossible to catch the offenders.....

[Whizzwheel]

Heard a story that a farmer near Oakey was shining his spotlight at choppers doing NVG training at low level. Apparently did it one too many times and got himself nabbed by Messers Plod. Received a rather harsh spanking, from what I hear.

[Critical Reynolds No]

Same thing happened in Melbourne last night and even made the ATIS. Hope they catch the

[Pass-A-Frozo]

bugger.. I'd bet on a teenager who doesn't really understand the danger in what he is doing. A bit like kids throwing rocks at each other.. It's all fun and games until someone actually gets hit.

[VH-Cheer Up]

Suggest put an advertisement on during The Simpsons advising all civil aircraft have now been fitted with laser-seeking guided devices which will fly back down the beam and cover the holder and 10 metres around them with the entire contents of the lavatory tank. Some nice CG rendered visuals for added persuasiveness, should slow them down a bit.

After that, if you can catch 'em, you should be allowed to kill 'em.

VHCU

[Big Dog 2]

Hit by Lazer

I had this happen to me on the way into ML 21/3
This was no kids toy,and was quite deliberate
and the strengt was unbelivable.
After landing I felt affected by this and had an eye test
the next day.Which proved to be OK. To stop them pointing it at me I turned off all my extirior lights making it more difficult to target us.
They imediatly turned off their light.
So far Police, ATC, DOTARS, Mel Airport,Police Air wing involved
And hope we can see an end to this dangerious
activity.As far as what ATC could have done.
First take this seriously and assist in helping the crew in an
unusual situation.And warn other a/c of the posible danger,
And help the crew pinpoint the location
so a search can be carried out.

But I recomend that in no way do you look at this Light/Lazer

[Sunfish]

Which runway? Where was the light coming from (obviously the ground)?

[Guppy Driver]

Perhaps it is time to have a read of the link below, before we all get too excited?

http://www.equipped.com/lasers_airliners.htm

I know that when I was 11 or 12 and camping out overnight in the treehouse, a toy like a handheld green laser and a movable overhead target like an aircraft on short finals just could have proved a pretty irresistible combination.

This seems to be more of a nuisance than a real threat (that is, until our "allies in the war on terror" get their Star Wars 747 doo-dah to work).

[Sunfish]

Mr. Guppy, I suggest you try it sometime and then tell us the results.

[Guppy Driver]

Ahem, was merely pointing out that i could have been tempted to try something like this - 3 decades or so ago.

[bounceandblow]

Nice article.


Before being partially and temporarily blinded on approach to Sydney, I would have believed that pile of cr p.

All the testing and experimenting in the world will never be at the mercy of a real experience. Until someone can prove that I wasn't infact blinded, I will take the stand that anyone caught doing these irresponsible acts (regardless of age) should be dealt with in an inappropiate manner.
Then has the nerve to go on about "both" pilots being stupid enough to look!
BOTH!? you mean all aircraft have two pilots?..........
and STUPID!? Bright shiny falshy things at night generally get my attention.
(Oh look theres a laser lets look at it)
...........(end rant)


And yes I too was met with very nonchalant response from ATC, but then again would I have expected them to resonably calm. Especially as the thought went through my head that maybe (just maybe) I should be looking for a launch.
Calm and nonchalant is sometimes good.

[Utradar]

Green Laser pointed at planes again

Newcastle has just had it's turn with lasers being pointed at aircraft. Was climbing out of Williamtown tonight and had this green light flashing about the cockpit.
Was seen just south of Newcastle. ATC said they'd investigate and I got a call from the counter terrorism team a few hours later. It'd be pretty hard to track down an industrial laser I would think. Tis not a nice feeling being tracked by a laser!

[Ultralights]

working at Williamtown, its the first i have heard of the laser incident,

just a thought, if the laser incidents go reported but not leaked to the press, the lack of any response in the news or media will result in the culprit(s) getting bored and giving up on pointing lasers at aircraft?



though it would be interesting to see what would happen if one wwas pointed at an armed Hornet heading for the range with a laser guided weapon? would the aircraft detect a threat and respond as its designed??

[rmcdonal]

though it would be interesting to see what would happen if one wwas pointed at an armed Hornet heading for the range with a laser guided weapon? would the aircraft detect a threat and respond as its designed??

That reminds me of the story about the low flying fighter that got picked up by a police radar and locked on to it as a target .

[Dick N. Cider]

Calm and Nonchalant ATC

bounceandblow,

Lest there be any doubt, we're (the ATC fraternity) supposed to remain cool and calm when sh!ts are trumps. Not sounding panicky is what we're supposed to do (Instill calm and confidence the instructions say).

That cool voice could be scared sh EEE witless or extremely worried on your behalf.

DNC