Lasers hitting light aircraft?
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Lasers hitting light aircraft?
Following the Virgin turnback I was wondering how many light aircraft pilots have been targeted? At least in an airliner there is an additional pilot, the potential for disaster in a single pilot aircraft has to be even higher!
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I had a laser attack at night flying into Leeds. It was in a Citation and had an FO but it is blinding.
We reported it to ATC for what its worth as finding the culprit would be like looking for a needle in a haystack.
it was unpleasant and blinding for a few seconds although I wouldn't say incapacitating.
I am sure if you had a deposition to fits or some other unknown abnormality it could induce that condition which could be incapacitating
Pace
We reported it to ATC for what its worth as finding the culprit would be like looking for a needle in a haystack.
it was unpleasant and blinding for a few seconds although I wouldn't say incapacitating.
I am sure if you had a deposition to fits or some other unknown abnormality it could induce that condition which could be incapacitating
Pace
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We had a laser attack over Dundee a few years back. Two pilots on board so one of us flew while the other with good local knowledge pinpointed the source. We were too high to identify a person but did identify a group on a street. It was reported to Dundee ATC and within minutes we could see blue lights homing in. However, the culprit could not be identified.
I don't know what can be done to prevent this happening other than publicising severe punishment for those that are caught.
I don't know what can be done to prevent this happening other than publicising severe punishment for those that are caught.
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Although not widely reported at the time, we were one of the first to get someone prosecuted for this offence.
It wasn't a laser, but this clown had rigged up a motorcycle headlamp to a series of batteries and was shining it at aircraft on final approach into egcc. We were able to bait him for a few minutes while we directed a dog handler to his back garden.
He was rather surprised to say the least when the dog nobbled him, and he was rewarded for his troubles with a decent stretch of porridge.
It wasn't a laser, but this clown had rigged up a motorcycle headlamp to a series of batteries and was shining it at aircraft on final approach into egcc. We were able to bait him for a few minutes while we directed a dog handler to his back garden.
He was rather surprised to say the least when the dog nobbled him, and he was rewarded for his troubles with a decent stretch of porridge.
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Had it on base and final into EGBE on my first night solo. Not a pleasant experience but all ended well luckily. It had been NOTAM'd but even with a full report from me they never seemed to catch they guy, shame really as there were fellow students going up there for night flying during CPL training and it was becoming a big concern to some.
Annoys me everytime these laser strikes are report now having experienced it
Annoys me everytime these laser strikes are report now having experienced it
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There are a few clowns up here who keep targetting the local CG and Helimed helicopters at night, a mate of mine has also had it happen to him a couple of times in an SEP and a Turboprop.
Apparently it's a new "craze" amongst some spotters (not the normal sensible harmless types) where they "tag" aircraft using these things. The mentality of some folk is highly questionable...
Apparently it's a new "craze" amongst some spotters (not the normal sensible harmless types) where they "tag" aircraft using these things. The mentality of some folk is highly questionable...
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I am interested in this, since I actually bought a laser marker. And sometimes use it from an airfield to point at the sky above my head, in which it is not unknown for Glasgow's aircraft to be flying over at 7,000ft when there is an easterly.
(Background was that on holiday in the Carribean, a chap used one to point out the constellations - gets rid of that parallax problem)
Now, if an aircraft is at 8,000ft - as in the case of the Virgin flight - and moving at 300 mph-ish, it is a pretty amazing thing to be able to "hit" the cockpit, let alone the window, let alone a pilot's eye?
Or am I missing something?
(Background was that on holiday in the Carribean, a chap used one to point out the constellations - gets rid of that parallax problem)
Now, if an aircraft is at 8,000ft - as in the case of the Virgin flight - and moving at 300 mph-ish, it is a pretty amazing thing to be able to "hit" the cockpit, let alone the window, let alone a pilot's eye?
Or am I missing something?
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I don't know what can be done to prevent this happening other than publicising severe punishment for those that are caught.
The only thing is to ban them other than the very weakest variety from sale to the public and license the use of more Powerful units
Pace
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In reply to Xrayalpha, I thought the same thing. 8000 feet is not too much short of 2 statute miles, however further analysis of the BBC news indicates that the incident occurred shortly after takeoff and they must have continued the climb to the altitude stated while considering their situation (possibly with company ops on R/T as well) before making the decision to return to EGLL. Therefore they were zapped at about 2000 feet which is much more plausible.
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it was unpleasant and blinding for a few seconds although I wouldn't say incapacitating.
Got hit by one a year or so ago. Abeam York at 3,000ft. The source was at least a couple of miles away. They go for the nav lights/strobes/beacon. Might be prudent to turn them off if you see a beam anywhere near.
I'm wearing a flak jacket. Fire away.
I'm wearing a flak jacket. Fire away.
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I'm pretty sure I had one shined at me while on approach into Cambridge once - didn't hit either me or the instructor directly in the eye, but we both noticed a green flash go across some of the cockpit (my suspicion is it came from roughly abeam our port side, at a point we were luckily both focusing forwards either on the runway/PAPIs or the ASI or whatever)...
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Quote from xrayalpha.... Or am I missing something?
The chances that the beam will actually hit the iris for any length of time is remote. Most likely the beam illuminates local water droplets or imperfections on the Perspex.
It would appear that those aiming the l@sers think of an aircraft as an inanimate aluminium can. It is not widely reported that l@ser strikes on motor cars are happening, as even the worst numpty knows there is a human driving them, and so would not target any cars on a motorway.
The chances that the beam will actually hit the iris for any length of time is remote. Most likely the beam illuminates local water droplets or imperfections on the Perspex.
It would appear that those aiming the l@sers think of an aircraft as an inanimate aluminium can. It is not widely reported that l@ser strikes on motor cars are happening, as even the worst numpty knows there is a human driving them, and so would not target any cars on a motorway.
On a night check-out, 12/2/2012, over Inverness, while demonstrating turns, the Instructor suddenly leaned forward, and seemed to be shining a green light on the roof. I assumed to check if I was distracted. His side was being hit by a laser from the Ferry area. Reported immediately to ATC, and police were waiting to get a report from him after landing.
In reply to Xrayalpha, I thought the same thing. 8000 feet is not too much short of 2 statute miles, however further analysis of the BBC news indicates that the incident occurred shortly after takeoff and they must have continued the climb to the altitude stated while considering their situation (possibly with company ops on R/T as well) before making the decision to return to EGLL. Therefore they were zapped at about 2000 feet which is much more plausible.
P.P.
P.P.
I am interested in this, since I actually bought a laser marker. And sometimes use it from an airfield to point at the sky above my head, in which it is not unknown for Glasgow's aircraft to be flying over at 7,000ft when there is an easterly.
(Background was that on holiday in the Carribean, a chap used one to point out the constellations - gets rid of that parallax problem)
Now, if an aircraft is at 8,000ft - as in the case of the Virgin flight - and moving at 300 mph-ish, it is a pretty amazing thing to be able to "hit" the cockpit, let alone the window, let alone a pilot's eye?
Or am I missing something?
(Background was that on holiday in the Carribean, a chap used one to point out the constellations - gets rid of that parallax problem)
Now, if an aircraft is at 8,000ft - as in the case of the Virgin flight - and moving at 300 mph-ish, it is a pretty amazing thing to be able to "hit" the cockpit, let alone the window, let alone a pilot's eye?
Or am I missing something?
I don't know much about laser beam divergence, but I can assure you it is a big problem when you get hit.
It doesn't appear as a thin beam or point, if it hits the windscreen, EVERYTHING is blindingly bright green.
You can't see your instruments, you can't see out the windscreen or side windows, your eyes and head hurt, an intense pain, like staring at the sun.
And once it disappears, it can take seconds before you can see anything at all, and minutes before your vision returns to a satisfactory level. I had dark spots and bright spots in my eyes for hours, every time I blinked I could see bright flashes.
Fortunately I've only been targeted once, but it was truly horrible, I hope it never happens again, I fear it almost certainly will.
They need to change the law, make it an offence to be carrying one (without good reason), and make it a serious offence to actually target a person, and a much much more serious offence to target an aircraft.
An absolute minimum of 6 years in prison imo (which still only means 3 years really). And make examples of people when they get locked up for it.
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On a night check-out, 12/2/2012, over Inverness, while demonstrating turns, the Instructor suddenly leaned forward, and seemed to be shining a green light on the roof. I assumed to check if I was distracted. His side was being hit by a l@ser from the Ferry area. Reported immediately to ATC, and police were waiting to get a report from him after landing.
Police take a very dim view of it, problem is trying to find the culprit.
On my very first solo night flight piloting a light aircraft from Coventry in 2012 I got lasered. No harm done beyond a sore eye for a few hours but very unsettling. Trouble is, it is compelling, your eye sees something and turns to it before you can stop yourself.
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It is not widely reported that l@ser strikes on motor cars are happening, as even the worst numpty knows there is a human driving them, and so would not target any cars on a motorway.