Burning Man Question

[djlightspin]

Hey guys
Quick question:
For those of you going to (or have been to) burning man...
I've been told that no planes are allowed to fly over the city so I'm assuming getting a variance to have a laser there should be pretty easy, right?
One of my friends said people brought lasers all the time and that I didn't need one (no one there cared) but I'd rather be safe than sorry. I've had ideas to do shows at our camp but was thinking of doing some sky effects as well. I'd probably have a max of 3-400mw shooting up.

Just trying to play it safe (especially for my first burn )

[slicklasers]

So whoever told you planes are not allowed to fly over burning man lied to you. There is actually a landing strip for private planes on the playa, and people parachute in during the day and at night with glowstix. I have been to the burn for the past 2 years and done MASSIVE displays at both. Last year I brought a dozen lasers, 4- 300mW green, 3- 500mW Green, a pair of half watt RGB's, a 3Watt Green, a 5Watt Green, and 7Watts of Copper Vapor. I did file with the CDRH/FDA, but didn't worry about the FAA clearance...I chose to terminate my beams on the mountains in the distance. But there was also a lot of people that didn't even have a variance and were using everything from 20Watt Yags to cheap chineese lasers shooting them everywhere, even audience scanning and no one said anything.
Anyways, if I were you, I would file with the CDRH/FDA and plan on terminating the beams on the hills and keep your eyes peeled for planes landing...

[buffo]

Just playing devil's advocate for a moment...

I'm wondering about the CDRH jurisdiction here. Technically, commerce of any kind is outlawed at Burning Man - at least among the participants. Shoot, even the organizers are only allowed to sell coffee and ice. Burners are not allowed to charge for their artistic displays (assuming they go to the trouble to set one up, which nearly everyone does in one form or another). Thus, without charging, there is no commerce, and without commerce, the CDRH has no jurisdiction.

Note that the FAA would still have jurisdiction for beams heading into the sky, but if you had them terminated on something close, I don't think they could force the variance issue.

Mind you, I still think it's a good idea to have a variance before you go, assuming you plan to set up your projector that is.

Adam

[Laserman532]

tell it to the judge

[Hayden]

Just playing devil's advocate for a moment...

I'm wondering about the CDRH jurisdiction here. Technically, commerce of any kind is outlawed at Burning Man - at least among the participants. Shoot, even the organizers are only allowed to sell coffee and ice. Burners are not allowed to charge for their artistic displays (assuming they go to the trouble to set one up, which nearly everyone does in one form or another). Thus, without charging, there is no commerce, and without commerce, the CDRH has no jurisdiction.

Note that the FAA would still have jurisdiction for beams heading into the sky, but if you had them terminated on something close, I don't think they could force the variance issue.

Mind you, I still think it's a good idea to have a variance before you go, assuming you plan to set up your projector that is.

Adam

Adam,

Based on my understanding, you are 100% correct.

[platinum]

There is an entry fee to Burning Man, so I'd assume that *technically* the CDRH has jurisdiction. I doubt they actively look into laser shows there though.

I'd also recommend having a variance and filing with the FAA if one was planning on doing aerial beam shows.

-Jonathan

[mixedgas]

FAA hits like a wet nine pound hammer, if they feel like inforcing, well, they are the FAA and letter of the law matters little when they call the local fuzz. I'd terminate. Remember, pilots are required to report all laser activity by FAA directive, and belive me, from personal experience doing LaserRave in Phoenix (terminated and approved and NOTAMed and local tracon notified) Pilots do report you. We ended up explaining to tracon that we were still terminated post report, and had Arizona Laser Safety there as our witnesses. Tracon called the State a few hours into the show. Our beams were nearly horizontal into a cinder block courtyard and into a icehouse, but still they got radio calls from traffic into Sky Harbor more then 7 miles away. Once Tracon got the straight story, we were fine. I just wish the FAA would listen to their own AWOS and read their own NOTAMS. Heck, I wish the pilots had listened to the AWOS and read the NOTAM. No wonder people bust presidential and laser and sports event TFRs, many of them do not read the required preflight reading.

BTW, traditionally the AWOS/arrival brief at Black Rock City Airport requires pilots to announce "have whiskey" as the brevity code. Nice inside joke.

Steve

[zerowaitstate]

Should i get a chance to do a trip tp the US i will definatly be scheduling it so i can do a stint at the Burning man festival, it looks like an amazing experience. Even down here in Oz i have heard of it.

You guys should try and organise a burning man LEM why settle for just a short 1 or 2 days - go the whole hog.

[heroic]

How's this report going to go?

Pilot reports "laser activity at Burning Man"
FAA says "Okay"
CDRH turfs up, finds three hundred different laser projectors

Your chances of getting busted are between slim and none.

[Laser Ben]

And this is why you make a nice case for your projector and keep it within reach...