I live in New Orleans and right now we are in the busiest part of Mardi Gras. I usually go to Bacchus - a "super krewe" parade - but missed it this year (last night). My friend texted me videos of a truck in the parade blowing confetti with a sky-tracker search light - nothing unusual about that - but with two multiwatt RGB lasers launching purple green & gold (Mardi Gras Colors) beams over the crowd and into the sky!
https://youtu.be/7bW8y0Rtdg0
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I just can't see how this was approved by the FAA. There is always a Coast Guard helicopter constantly circling above the parade. Plus something new I noticed during a parade Sunday morning was a Homeland Security helicopter circling above. Additionally there are usually commercial jets flying over on their way to the airport about 10 miles away.
From what I've seen, this looked very impressive. My friend who was at the parade was impressed. There are many videos on instagram and other sites. http://seen.co/event/mardi-gras-2015...ghlight/154209 People seemed to really like it.
Even with a audience scanning variance, it seems that there are too many non-terminated beams going into building windows, balconies with people watching the parade, and into the sky for any regulatory agency to think this is ok. How could this get FAA approval? I'm not saying that I think this should have been automatically declined. But with so many stories about laser pointer incidents and hype about planes/pilots and eye damage, this is a miracle they pulled it off successfully. Have the CDRH/FAA relaxed rules for outdoor shows. I have always been hesitant to try to get approval for an outdoor show because I figure it is too much hassle and not worth the effort, so I only do indoor events.
Leading up to Mardi Gras, the news media repeatedly reported on how there is unprecedented police/gov. agent presence due to heightened terrorism concerns - this would explain the Homeland security helicopter.
I checked out the website of the sky-tracker provider and they offer search lights, up-lighting for events, confetti cannons, etc but there is no mention of lasers or holding a variance.
Anyone with experience doing outdoor shows / getting FAA approval have any insight they want to share?