Why a laser beam suddenly stops. (revisited)

Rodomontade said:

The point I was trying to make:
I have seen the theory floated that the vantage point determines the point the beam stops. I don’t see how this is possible when I can travel to the exact spot the beam appears to end. It made no difference whether the angle was 20* or 90* or anything in between. The beam still appears to stop at the same point regardless of how close or at what distance.

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That's interesting. Intuition leads me to suspect the beam would fade, not apparently stop as you describe when viewed orthogonal to the beam. So much for my intuition.

hakzaw1 said:

Pilot??
awesome
we have a few but not enough.

Many here would like to get your opinion on laser incidents reported by pilots.
Its no secret that many pilots are NO FANS of lasers (I assume mostly pointers).

So it is only human nature to exaggerate things depending on ones feelings about lasers in general.... That is bad as we need to know as many facts as possible . (ie unbiased) IMHO anyone intentionally lasing a pilot should go to Federal prison (no early release ever).

BUT just seeing beams (not aimed at the pilot) and reporting that..only makes things seem worse than they really are. And surely takes time away from those who deal with this-- time that might be better spent on something that is not partially imaginary.

Thankfully there seems to be less reports from pilots of late-- best place to confirm that would be at laserpointersafety.org
Mr Murphy misses very little about these incidents.. sorry for going so off-topic.
hak

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Just want to clarify,
I am a private pilot. I fly a Mooney Ovation and a Mooney Acclaim. The Acclaim is turbocharged w/ a service ceiling of 25,000 with the requisite oxygen system. Ovation flies a bit lower and slower. I can't really speak of what the big boys / gals in the heavies have to say about lasers since I fly into and out of FBO's rather than large airports. I really don't hear much talk about lasers from fellow pilots. I fly mostly during the day but have flown many long legs at night. I never recall seeing a laser.. ever. The planes I fly are pretty fast for single reciprocating and in my opinion it would be pretty hard to target my plane let alone a high flying jet. The Acclaim has a full glass cockpit and I feel this gives off more light at night than if there were a quick flash of a laser. I don't dispute a direct hit in the eye would be a very bad thing and there should be zero tolerance for someone intentionally lasing any aircraft especially during approach. I also feel a direct hit is more than likely accidental. While I have no proof, I do agree with you that commercial pilots probably over report which is a bad thing for this hobby.

I'll watch this tread as long as it remains productive and informative. I need to go for now. If you have any questions please post and I'll reply when I have the chance.

Regards

ChrisWhit said:

Wasn't "conspiracy theorist" the derogatory term that the CIA started back in the 60s, labeling anyone who raised questions about the standing official report on the JFK assassination? So someone with actual credibility would challenge an official narrative, then they're referred to as a "conspiracy theorist" and poof, all credibility is gone. It was brilliant and effective due to the well honed repetitive conditioning of that term onto the general public,

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The Warren Report was the official investigation into the JFK assassination. It was an in depth analysis of John Fitzgerald Kennedy's assassination.

Rodomontade said:

I can travel to the exact spot the beam appears to end.

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Well, since you're at the "exact spot", I'm gonna need you to stick your hand in this magical anomalous black hole for me and video the results.

My BS detector pegged reading this, my WAG is a former or current member is just wanting to drive discussion on this. Why? Not sure, but I have an idea who and why which I will remain silent about.