Re: Aiming laser pointers at airplanes

Allegheny · ‎03-19-2010

"On February 14, 2012, the President signed Public Law 112-95 (PDF), the "FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012." Section 311 amended Title 18 of the United States Code (U.S.C.) Chapter 2, § 39, by adding § 39A, which makes it a federal crime to aim a laser pointer at an aircraft."

Found above on FAA website. I couldn't however find anything creditable as to the penalty imposed if caught and procecuted.

The reason people do these things, who knows, probably the same reason they do the other stupid, dangerous things, because they think its cool, funny, or maybe just because they are morons and just don't give a "d" about people beside themselves.

They'd think differently if one of these incidents cause an aircraft to crash and a friend or family members of theirs were on board.

MrsSweetieBear · ‎03-10-2010

Other than blinding pilots and causing mayhem, what is the purpose of these laser pointers? What are they supposed to be used for? Not knowing any good reason for them, I'd like to see them banned from manufacture and sale. Hopefully they are not protected by the second or any other amendment.

I think they should be considered a deadly weapon. Pointing at airplanes or any use around airports should be considered a act of terrorism, and 20 years in prison should be the minimum mandatory punishment.

~Dogs are my favorite people and my favorite people are dogs.~

Allegheny · ‎03-19-2010

@MrsSweetieBear wrote:
Other than blinding pilots and causing mayhem, what is the purpose of these laser pointers? What are they supposed to be used for? Not knowing any good reason for them, I'd like to see them banned from manufacture and sale. Hopefully they are not protected by the second or any other amendment.

I think they should be considered a deadly weapon. Pointing at airplanes or any use around airports should be considered a act of terrorism, and 20 years in prison should be the minimum mandatory punishment.

I remember back in the old days laser pointers were used during presentations, ie illuminating up text on screens. I'm not up and up on any other legit reason for there use. Perhaps someone else is.

I recalled hearing recently on NBC news that there are laws as to the strength of lasers which are legal for sale, but the individual giving the report said stronger illegal ones are available all over the internet, like a lot of other illegal stuff.

chickenbutt · ‎03-09-2010

Allegheny wrote:
"On February 14, 2012, the President signed Public Law 112-95 (PDF), the "FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012." Section 311 amended Title 18 of the United States Code (U.S.C.) Chapter 2, § 39, by adding § 39A, which makes it a federal crime to aim a laser pointer at an aircraft."

Found above on FAA website. I couldn't however find anything creditable as to the penalty imposed if caught and procecuted.

The reason people do these things, who knows, probably the same reason they do the other stupid, dangerous things, because they think its cool, funny, or maybe just because they are morons and just don't give a "d" about people beside themselves.

They'd think differently if one of these incidents cause an aircraft to crash and a friend or family members of theirs were on board.

That's a really great start (bolded by me).

I agree with you on the 'reasons' for people doing idiotic stuff like this. There is no good reason that I can come up with.

The sad thing is that (having somebody THEY know/love get hurt/killed) is probably what it would take for them to straighten up their thinking, or non-thinking as it were. It's just like the people texting and driving, etc. They don't care - until they care, and it's probably too late then.

Desertdi · ‎03-13-2010

10 years in jail -- $250,000 fine (was on the news yesterday)

♥Surface of the Sun♥

Bestdressed · ‎04-18-2010

Interesting... I remember hearing on the news that there are laser protection glasses that are going to be available soon for pilots.... but would be costly at $400 a pair.

So... I googled our friend "Dr. Nicholas Perricone" is involved with the introduction of these glasses. Probably because they use lasers with skin care procedures.

MERIDEN, Conn. (WTNH) — Airline pilots across the United States are facing a growing problem: lasers being pointed right into the cockpit during takeoff and landing. The lasers can disorient and even blind the pilots, jeopardizing the lives of everyone on board.

“Lasers are not just a distraction, they are extremely dangerous,” said Dr. Nicholas Perricone, founder of PerriQuest Defense Research Enterprises in Meriden.

Dr. Perricone says that he was asked to come up with a way to protect pilots from these lasers about three years ago. He turned to his company’s chief technology officer, who’s also an optical physicist. Together, they created protective glasses for pilots.

“By putting on these glasses, we can actually shade the light that appears from the laser to the eye,” said Kristin Rauschenbach, chief technology officer of PerriQuest.

The glasses block out the green, blue, and red colors that come from the lasers. While the design is simple in theory, the process was a little more complex.

“The real challenge was how do you block out red, blue, and green without changing the color discrimination,” said Dr. Perricone. “It’s critical a pilot sees color. He has to look at his instruments, he has to look at runway lights and a lot of other signals.”

The design PerriQuest came up with still allows pilots to see everything in their working environment. Dr. Perricone says the lenses also protect the eye, no matter what direction the laser comes from.

“Ensuring color balance, ensuring a very wearable and comfortable pair of eyewear that can provide protection was really key to the technology we developed, said Rauschenbach.

The glasses have been manufactured and are ready for purchase, costing $400 a pair. It’s unclear if pilots will be able to wear them, and if so, when they can start. Dr. Perricone says that decision is currently in the hands of the aviation industry, specifically the FAA and the airlines.

“With glasses like these, if pilots have them and it’s protocol to put them on as part of their checklist, then this problem will go away,” said Dr. Perricone. “No one is going to throw rocks at a window that won’t break.”

FUTURE · ‎04-11-2010

@MrsSweetieBear wrote:
Other than blinding pilots and causing mayhem, what is the purpose of these laser pointers? What are they supposed to be used for? Not knowing any good reason for them, I'd like to see them banned from manufacture and sale. Hopefully they are not protected by the second or any other amendment.

I think they should be considered a deadly weapon. Pointing at airplanes or any use around airports should be considered a act of terrorism, and 20 years in prison should be the minimum mandatory punishment.

I could not agree more!!

Allegheny · ‎03-19-2010

@FUTURE wrote:
@MrsSweetieBear wrote:
Other than blinding pilots and causing mayhem, what is the purpose of these laser pointers? What are they supposed to be used for? Not knowing any good reason for them, I'd like to see them banned from manufacture and sale. Hopefully they are not protected by the second or any other amendment.

I think they should be considered a deadly weapon. Pointing at airplanes or any use around airports should be considered a act of terrorism, and 20 years in prison should be the minimum mandatory punishment.
I could not agree more!!

A driver of any vehicle could be blinded temporarily by a stronger laser pointer. We're primarily hearing about it as directed to aircraft, but there have been incidents documented where lasers are being beamed into cars. A laser pointer should never be directed into anyone eyes, human or animal. It kills me that they even manufacture these things (lower level) as toys for kids. I am sure they must post package warnings, but really do the kids or even their parents pay attention to the small print.