Pilots in Ireland Call for Laser Pointers to be Classified as Weapons

[platinum]

http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0104/airport.html

I should really get going on that variance for my CVL...

[Diachi]

I posted about this over on LPF.

the ban is getting closer to home :/

[soforene]

Is there no facet of life that is safe from "The Boogeyman Syndrome"?

[Stuka]

HOPEFULLY, the authorities will find the sorry SOB(s) that have been zapping aircraft, and make a VERY PUBLIC example of the bastard, regardless of his / her age!!

I've been on the receiving end of both lasers and high-power spot lights while flying (as well as a few "more solid" beams!!), and both can be VERY disorienting in the cockpit. I was fortunate on both occasions to be flying relatively slow, very maneuverable military helicopters with just myself and an aerial observer on board, and was able to maneuver and get reoriented. For pilots flying commercial airliners full of passengers during critical phases of a landing approach, getting a face full of laser light could very well lead to a disaster.

I sincerely hope the SOB's doing that get what they deserve...

[FourDee]

I agree.
I have never understood the need for laser pointers, let alone for high power ones.

I'm sorry for the people here that are also over on lpf, but I think that forum exactly represents the kind of mentality that is wrong.

The first thing they want about a laser pointer is that it 'burns' ...

[The_Doctor]

HOPEFULLY, the authorities will find the sorry SOB(s) that have been zapping aircraft, and make a VERY PUBLIC example of the bastard, regardless of his / her age!!

I've been on the receiving end of both lasers and high-power spot lights while flying (as well as a few "more solid" beams!!), and both can be VERY disorienting in the cockpit. I was fortunate on both occasions to be flying relatively slow, very maneuverable military helicopters with just myself and an aerial observer on board, and was able to maneuver and get reoriented. For pilots flying commercial airliners full of passengers during critical phases of a landing approach, getting a face full of laser light could very well lead to a disaster.

I sincerely hope the SOB's doing that get what they deserve...

Cool. I see you're getting the hang of that gun/laser comparison after all.

[soforene]

Ooooohhhhh.....
And the 1st nomination for "Stirrer of the Year 2009" goes to ......

[Stuka]

Cool. I see you're getting the hang of that gun/laser comparison after all.

Yeah, and it REALLY pissed me off, too!

Those incidents were a DIRECT VIOLATION of the Cold War Non-Aggression agreement that specifically forbade the use of audience scanning against NATO aircraft flying in a non-disco zone!!

[The_Doctor]

Ooooohhhhh.....
And the 1st nomination for "Stirrer of the Year 2009" goes to ......

Can't pass up a chance to polish the sarcasm like that one. I posted more in the pilot-blinder thread, that says more of what I really think about this.

[The_Doctor]

Yeah, and it REALLY pissed me off, too!

Those incidents were a DIRECT VIOLATION of the Cold War Non-Aggression agreement that specifically forbade the use of audience scanning against NATO aircraft flying in a non-disco zone!!

Never mind that. I just want them to ban disco zones, then I'll be happy.