L@ser 'cluster' attack on Sydney planes
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L@ser 'cluster' attack on Sydney planes
From News.com.au Top stories | News from Australia and around the world online | News.com.au
Full link here:- L@zers face ban after planes attacked | News.com.au Top stories | News.com.au
March 30, 2008 12:32am
* l@zer beams focused on incoming flights
* Cluster attack is 'unprecedented' authorities say
* Attacks are increasing
SIX planes had to alter their flight paths into Sydney airport after pilots were targeted in an unprecedented l@zer "cluster attack', authorities say.
Air traffic controllers had to close one flight approach late on Friday, after up to four people targeted planes with l@zers in an apparently co-ordinated attack.
Pilots reported a number of green l@zers were trained on their planes for about 15 minutes, from 10.30pm (AEDT).
The l@zers appeared to have originated from the Bexley area, in south-western Sydney.
"This was the worst attack in our experience," Air Services Australia spokesman Bryan Nicholson has told Fairfax News.
"It was described by the pilots as a cluster attack which implies some sort of co-ordination or organisation."
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) said such l@zer attacks on planes were increasing in frequency.
"There are five to six reports every week around Australia," CASA spokesman Peter Gibson told Fairfax.
"It is extremely dangerous as it can temporarily blind a pilot or distract them as they are coming in to land."
The maximum penalty for shining a l@zer at a plane is two years in jail.
* l@zer beams focused on incoming flights
* Cluster attack is 'unprecedented' authorities say
* Attacks are increasing
SIX planes had to alter their flight paths into Sydney airport after pilots were targeted in an unprecedented l@zer "cluster attack', authorities say.
Air traffic controllers had to close one flight approach late on Friday, after up to four people targeted planes with l@zers in an apparently co-ordinated attack.
Pilots reported a number of green l@zers were trained on their planes for about 15 minutes, from 10.30pm (AEDT).
The l@zers appeared to have originated from the Bexley area, in south-western Sydney.
"This was the worst attack in our experience," Air Services Australia spokesman Bryan Nicholson has told Fairfax News.
"It was described by the pilots as a cluster attack which implies some sort of co-ordination or organisation."
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) said such l@zer attacks on planes were increasing in frequency.
"There are five to six reports every week around Australia," CASA spokesman Peter Gibson told Fairfax.
"It is extremely dangerous as it can temporarily blind a pilot or distract them as they are coming in to land."
The maximum penalty for shining a l@zer at a plane is two years in jail.
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There is a perfect opportunity there to alert these idiots to what happens. They know it is dangerous etc, but they need to know what happens the THEM if they get caught (which they do).
Towards the end of the article, it needs to read something along the lines of....
"....the Federal Police have been very successful recently in apprehending and prosecuting these people, most of whom have received hefty fines and/or time in jail....."
These morons need to be told they are getting caught.
Cheers,
NFR.
Towards the end of the article, it needs to read something along the lines of....
"....the Federal Police have been very successful recently in apprehending and prosecuting these people, most of whom have received hefty fines and/or time in jail....."
These morons need to be told they are getting caught.
Cheers,
NFR.
Took my kid to the Crusty show last night. Someone in the crowd was flashing a green laser around as we all tried to depart. Anyone cop a flash from Calder last night?
P
s hiding in the crowd. How small are these things?
P
s hiding in the crowd. How small are these things?
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About time someone invented a laser-seeking high-intensity, very narrow-beam e-m pulse module that detects these devices and blows up the output transducer.
How hard can this be? Ready-made market for all airlines and probably every military air force in the world.
Now, was it V/I = R? Where's me slide rule?
How hard can this be? Ready-made market for all airlines and probably every military air force in the world.
Now, was it V/I = R? Where's me slide rule?
Although operating at a different wavelength, the technology for laser detectors (and jammers) has been on sale for years - for ground-based laser speed guns. Rather than passive systems though, the obvious action is an outright ban on their sale or possession with hefty criminal penalties for breaches.
If anyone doubts the power of a green laser, you can see one light up a match at this link:
http://www.spymode.com/laserv/match.avi
Even at a great distance, they can inflict permanent eye damage.
If anyone doubts the power of a green laser, you can see one light up a match at this link:
http://www.spymode.com/laserv/match.avi
Even at a great distance, they can inflict permanent eye damage.
When you live....
PPRUNE to blame?
I opened this thread to be greeted with following Google ads at the top of the screen"
"Green Laser Pointers
Beam Visible For Miles, Battery Powered Burning Lasers
www.LaserGlow.com50mW 150mW 300mW 1W
Green Laser, Blue Laser, IR Lasers Laser Pointer,Buy High Power Lasers"
UTR
"Green Laser Pointers
Beam Visible For Miles, Battery Powered Burning Lasers
www.LaserGlow.com50mW 150mW 300mW 1W
Green Laser, Blue Laser, IR Lasers Laser Pointer,Buy High Power Lasers"
UTR
More reports of laser activity in Melbourne tonight...ATC reporting a green laser been shone at aircraft about 5 miles east of Epping...
So tough to find culprits in this sort of situation, but I guess the quicker an aircraft can relay its position when hit by the laser, the quicker the local police can head to the area and try and find the morons involved..
So tough to find culprits in this sort of situation, but I guess the quicker an aircraft can relay its position when hit by the laser, the quicker the local police can head to the area and try and find the morons involved..
Perhaps a reward offered (say 5000) for information leading to the conviction of a laser pointer (that is, someone who points). They'd brag about it for sure, easiest 5K someone would ever make!
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Where's POLAIR during all of this, surely they could have an input and assit. WRT to the F/A-18s, if they were to use laser guided bombs, they'd be shooting toward the Aircraft (obviously not possible). I say attach smoke grenades to all RPT aircraft and if they spot a laser poof, drop the grenade, then call in the Pigs!
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Heard a rumour that someone pointed a laser at one of our new C-17s and the counter measures picked this up. If loaded with flares, it would've put on a good show! Apparently it can also do something return to sender. So unsure what that could be. Maybe we should fit these to our civi aircraft.
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Would it be precarious trying to locate the source of the lasers by the crew.
If they get a few green flashes within thier cockpit, would it be better to try and shield ones eyes from the light, or safe enough to raise ones head above the dash and look for the source possibly exposing your eyes to direct contact with the laser.
If they get a few green flashes within thier cockpit, would it be better to try and shield ones eyes from the light, or safe enough to raise ones head above the dash and look for the source possibly exposing your eyes to direct contact with the laser.
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I've seen these Pircks doing this stunt whilst going into Syd a few times before & I turn to the other guy in the seat next to me to say open bomb bay doors !
If they ever get caught I'll lay money down that they get a slap on the wrist, a fine & a suspended sentence 'cause their probably young kids!
The only trouble is they have to be caught in the act!
F
If they ever get caught I'll lay money down that they get a slap on the wrist, a fine & a suspended sentence 'cause their probably young kids!
The only trouble is they have to be caught in the act!
F
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Obviously these idiots are severly lacking in intelligence.
They probably have not given any thought to the fact one day they will need to fly on the very aircraft that they were shining lasers at - and someone might be doing the exact same thing to an aircraft they are on.
The world generally goes full circle - it is up to us to NOT let this happen and break the cycle - and require that authorities have appropriate penalties to prevent even the thought of an occurance. Current penalties are simply a joke to laugh at.
I wonder what would be done if this was Singapore?? You get arrested for even flying a kite surfer!! Maybe we need to bring some of the Singaporean law makers into this part of the world?
They probably have not given any thought to the fact one day they will need to fly on the very aircraft that they were shining lasers at - and someone might be doing the exact same thing to an aircraft they are on.
The world generally goes full circle - it is up to us to NOT let this happen and break the cycle - and require that authorities have appropriate penalties to prevent even the thought of an occurance. Current penalties are simply a joke to laugh at.
I wonder what would be done if this was Singapore?? You get arrested for even flying a kite surfer!! Maybe we need to bring some of the Singaporean law makers into this part of the world?
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Let there be a UN declaration that high powered lasers are deadly weapons and their use against those controlling aircraft or transport vehicles be an act of Terrorism.
Go get them ASIO and throw away the key.
Go get them ASIO and throw away the key.
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Took my kid to the Crusty show last night. Someone in the crowd was flashing a green l@zer around as we all tried to depart. Anyone cop a flash from Calder last night?
I've been hit by there "l@zers" Can't really see what all the fuss is about. yes it was distracting, but how many things in this world can distracting.
It you ask me you should ban all flashing lights at night, especially when it is raining
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Otter, some can really dazzle and incapacitate pilots. I haven't been one but there are several reports of retinal (that's in the eye, not the other end) damage.
Frequently see people with lasers at Ben Buckler in Syd dancing them on the water below, every now and then they're going to try and plant a spot on a moving aircraft. I suspect that many mean no harm, they just don't make the connection with the harm they can cause.
Perhaps a law requiring lasers to be sold with a note warning that pointing at eyes can be harmful and that pointing at aircraft is a crime.
Frequently see people with lasers at Ben Buckler in Syd dancing them on the water below, every now and then they're going to try and plant a spot on a moving aircraft. I suspect that many mean no harm, they just don't make the connection with the harm they can cause.
Perhaps a law requiring lasers to be sold with a note warning that pointing at eyes can be harmful and that pointing at aircraft is a crime.