Spotlights At Maryborough (vic)
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Spotlights At Maryborough (vic)
I was conducting Night Circuits last night at Maryborough in Victoria to teach black hole landings when all of a sudden an intense white light lit up my aircraft at the same time completely destroying my night vision. The house was located about 1.5nm south west of the ARP. This light completely disorientated myself and the student. Focus on instruments prevented an accident, however i worry what may happen to other pilots if they forget this golden rule. One day this light will cause an accident, i am wondering if anyone else has encountered this light and if anyone has any suggestions of how to stop this person before he kills someone...
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Was it a house in residential or rural property? Its been a while since ive flown to maryborough, could have been some guys out spotlighting and you were scaring away whatever they were shooting so u were the next best thing.
Or it could just be kids... or drunk adults acting like kids
If you can identify the house from the air and figure out the address just send the coppers around to have a chat with them.
You might have to explain what the dangers are to the coppers, but make sure you talk very slowly and spell the big words out for them so they understand...
Better yet just write out what you want them to say to the people at the house...
Turbz
Or it could just be kids... or drunk adults acting like kids
If you can identify the house from the air and figure out the address just send the coppers around to have a chat with them.
You might have to explain what the dangers are to the coppers, but make sure you talk very slowly and spell the big words out for them so they understand...
Better yet just write out what you want them to say to the people at the house...Turbz
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You reckon they were using anything like this?
http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/uplo..._spotlight.jpg
You can usually see lots of light streams from people using stuff like this in the suburban areas.
If you've got a GPS system, fly over their house next time and record the exact position then expose them on google earth
http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/uplo..._spotlight.jpg
You can usually see lots of light streams from people using stuff like this in the suburban areas.
If you've got a GPS system, fly over their house next time and record the exact position then expose them on google earth
How dare those planes use an airport? Especially one which I built my house near without considering it may occasionally be used?
Come back the next night with a few twins. Do circuits all night with props out of sync.
I've been hearing some stories lately of fireworks being shot at aircraft on night final. Would be nice if anyone caught doing stupid
like this gets their house reposessed, since they obviously don't want to live near an airport. Send em to Guantanemo!
Come back the next night with a few twins. Do circuits all night with props out of sync.
I've been hearing some stories lately of fireworks being shot at aircraft on night final. Would be nice if anyone caught doing stupid
like this gets their house reposessed, since they obviously don't want to live near an airport. Send em to Guantanemo!
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I used to do alot of night navs there with students 6 years ago and it was happening back then too. We reported it to CASA, and it did stop for a while but kept happening on and off. Was very distracting and even potentially dangerous especially when you are trying to teach a HK cadet how to land at night dealing with all the other visual illusions you get plus this dick shinning spot lights at you!!
Must be a local farmer that doesn't like the local airport being used at night!!
Must be a local farmer that doesn't like the local airport being used at night!!
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Directanywhere
Notify CASA by all means but please don't expect action.
At last count only one of their "Investigators" has ever held a licence - and that was a rppl around 20 years back. They wouldn't know a flying machine from a boat!
Notify CASA by all means but please don't expect action.
At last count only one of their "Investigators" has ever held a licence - and that was a rppl around 20 years back. They wouldn't know a flying machine from a boat!
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Hi mango
Totally sympathise with you!
I find the situation so dangerous now that I have invested in a pair of red lense coloured glasses that I even encourage my students to wear especially on a black hole night.
Though yet to prove the theory I reckon that at least if the cockpit did get flashed by a bright light we would save our night vision through the red lense sunglasses!
I know how hard it can be to adjust to flying on instruments, late downwind on a black hole night after being distracted or dazzled by a bright light!!
Did you put a CASA report in?
Cheers
Shield
Totally sympathise with you!
I find the situation so dangerous now that I have invested in a pair of red lense coloured glasses that I even encourage my students to wear especially on a black hole night.
Though yet to prove the theory I reckon that at least if the cockpit did get flashed by a bright light we would save our night vision through the red lense sunglasses!
I know how hard it can be to adjust to flying on instruments, late downwind on a black hole night after being distracted or dazzled by a bright light!!
Did you put a CASA report in?
Cheers
Shield
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oh yeah the idiot who bought a spotlight to shine on the planes landing at RAAF williamtown.
was discussed a year ago here on PPRUNE
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=268112
you should get the cops to charge this clown for obstructing the safe operation of your airplane.
It'll also scare off any others in the area who think about doing the same thing.
was discussed a year ago here on PPRUNE
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=268112
you should get the cops to charge this clown for obstructing the safe operation of your airplane.
It'll also scare off any others in the area who think about doing the same thing.
Sounds like flying community action is needed here.
Get all the local pilots into the general area one night equipped with baseball bats, then put a plane up as bait.
Pay the guy a "visit" when he lights up the light.
Even if only to verify his address so you can call the police to the address while it's happening.
Get all the local pilots into the general area one night equipped with baseball bats, then put a plane up as bait.
Pay the guy a "visit" when he lights up the light.
Even if only to verify his address so you can call the police to the address while it's happening.
AustralianMade
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Actually Pete, that idea has a some merit, although I would change the details a little as follows.
mango, why don't you arrange another night flight into the same strip and organise a couple of mates with video cameras to hide near the suspect house, then film the pricks in the act. Try to get a shot of the faces of the perps - this may not be possible I guess, although it would be a pearler if you did. Surely even our police should be able to do something with that.
If that gets no results, revert back to Peter Fanelli's plan above.
ABX
mango, why don't you arrange another night flight into the same strip and organise a couple of mates with video cameras to hide near the suspect house, then film the pricks in the act. Try to get a shot of the faces of the perps - this may not be possible I guess, although it would be a pearler if you did. Surely even our police should be able to do something with that.
If that gets no results, revert back to Peter Fanelli's plan above.
ABX
My thoughts are unprintable, and illegal. BTW there is a Warrior at YMMB that has a nice dent in its lower cowl, like somebody stuck their thumb in plasticine, that was apparently caused by a 12 gauge slug fired at the aircraft near Coldstream.
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Hey Everyone, thanks for the responses! i did notify ML CEN and asked them to call the YMBU police. Stayed in the CCT for a while longer hoping to see some red and blue flashing lights but nothing. Just pissed off because it is probably my last night flight for a while and this dickhe*d ruined part of it.
BTW there is a Warrior at YMMB that has a nice dent in its lower cowl, like somebody stuck their thumb in plasticine, that was apparently caused by a 12 gauge slug fired at the aircraft near Coldstream.
DF.
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12 Gauge slug
Solid projectiles for 12 gauge have been available for a long time. Don't fire one from a fully choked barrel though. Messy!!
Back on subject, I had a light shone on me two weeks ago at YMBU.
He's been at it for a while now.
Back on subject, I had a light shone on me two weeks ago at YMBU.
He's been at it for a while now.
AustralianMade
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Incidentally and on an unrelated topic:
Did you know it is relatively easy to direct fire down a beam of light to take out the light and operator?
Really don't know where that came from, must have been all this talk about 12 gauge slugs...
Back to topic, the only satisfying way to get this bastard is to film him in the act and present the footage as part of a report to the cops. And it should be done - pronto!
Did you know it is relatively easy to direct fire down a beam of light to take out the light and operator?
Really don't know where that came from, must have been all this talk about 12 gauge slugs...
Back to topic, the only satisfying way to get this bastard is to film him in the act and present the footage as part of a report to the cops. And it should be done - pronto!
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Perhaps a coordinated attack needs to be planned with 2 or 3 aircraft in the circuit and a numer of vehicles on the ground to locate the fecker, then pass his details on to the police!
On a related topic, do you know that you can buy a torch with a brightness of 15,000,000 candle power!
Perhaps that is what this guy is using, apparently it can shine up to six miles!
On a related topic, do you know that you can buy a torch with a brightness of 15,000,000 candle power!
Perhaps that is what this guy is using, apparently it can shine up to six miles!