Hey there,
I'm writing this from a commercial pilots perspective. I realise that there is already one here, but its written more along the lines from someone the flies in General Aviation.
First of all. Most of the people on this forum wouldn't be stupid enough to be pointing a laser at aircraft. But I would like to get a few points across to you.
The question must be asked. Why would you want to point a laser into the cockpit, or at a aircraft in the first place? If you were on a aircraft, would you be happy if someone left their seat, walked into the cockpit and covered the pilots eyes? How about if they went in there and rubbed dust into their eyes?
Obviously the beams affect us if we have made a big enough complaint to bring in laws against it! No matter what you think down there on the ground. It DOES hit the cockpit.
If you want to do a bit of research, look into how long it takes for a human eyes to adjust to be able to see in the night. We then do our best to keep the cockpit dim enough to preserve this vision for the entire flight. A simple flash into the cockpit is enough to destroy our night vision. Let alone leaving the eye more susceptable to damage!
Sure we can see where we are going, but the small things such as birds that may have been scared into flight, or other airborne items will not be seen.
The hudson river incident is enough to point out the real hazard that we face.
Here are just a couple of incidents that have happened in the cockpit of the past few months in Europe, Australia and America.
"I was over Germany at FL370 (37,000ft above sea level) last week and RYR aircraft were reporting l@ser light at the same altitude. I saw the source but wasn't directly targeted. I too was a bit surprised at the ability to target at 6 miles away, people are clearly getting hold of pieces of kit that you don't find on key rings or white board pointers."
"This problem as recently arrived at Muscat.
Unfortunately for pilots - there is a park that is situated about 2 to 1 mile final from the threshold of 08, positioned right on the extended centre-line, which can have hundreds of picnicking families in it of a weekend.
Green l@ser reports are on the increase. As is the activities of one spastic with an air-band transceiver who thinks its a great idea to repeat back some clearances and block the frequency.
One poor IL-76 jockey had his flightdeck lit up by, according to him, no less than four beams on take-off from 26 out over the park. They are always low initially - he did not get dinged in the eye but said it was bright enough to cause a distraction."
"Whilst cruising at FL230 over northern Greece (overhead KVA) the flightdeck was bathed in green light. Having pulled down the glare visor I was able to see a ground based l@ser pointing at the aircraft (the captain independently verified this). Has anyone suffered a l@ser nuisance at a level such as this before?! I'm at a loss to explain how the guy was 1. Able to aim it with such accuracy for 10 secs 2. Even own a l@ser with the power to reach 4 miles up!"
"A few weeks ago, on final approach into Nice at night, some **** was shinning a green l@ser at our aircraft. It was seen by both pilots and myself, No.2 cabin crew at the rear of the aircraft. It was extremely bright."
"Watch out if your flying into Nap at night, a very regular occurence."
"I was l@ser attacked three weeks ago on the intercept to the LOC at 3,800ft at midnight in England.
As PF (pilot flying) I was forced to hand control to the FO (first officer) and had a residual after image all the way down the approach. The initial flash made me wince, it hurt and I swore. I spent the next morning having photographs of my retina being taken. I spent most of the night before worried sick that my eyesight had been damaged and that my medical could be withdrawn.
I was suprised at how bright the l@ser was.
I was incapacitated, no doubt of it."
Obviously in some cases the beam is diluting before it hits the cockpit and is a wide beam of light before entering the cockpit, others, and the ones where people are complaining of incapacitation is when they are at the lower levels, yet still over a 1km above the surface of the earth.
Also remember the cockpit window is not just a simple layer of glass for the beam to pass through. It is multi-layered with it giving a shower of light through the cockpit when it is hit.
All I can ask is for you guys to do your best to discourage this. Its just plain stupidity and dangerous. We wouldn't ask you not to if it wasn't.
