Lased flying into IND last night
09-16-2009, 07:02 PM
#31
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,282
My buddy has one of these green lasers. They're called star pointers, and as you can imagine, they're used to point at stars.
If you have never seen one of these in person, you just cannot imagine how powerful they are. With new batteries in it (two AA), the green beam will track all the way to the star (from your perspective).
If pointed at a balloon, it will pop the balloon after a number of seconds.
They're really useful tools is used properly, and they're neat lasers.
But for the poster who said "you probably didn't suffer damage", you are very mis-informed. I hope anyone who gets one of these in the cockpit ends up alright.
Fly safe!
If you have never seen one of these in person, you just cannot imagine how powerful they are. With new batteries in it (two AA), the green beam will track all the way to the star (from your perspective).
If pointed at a balloon, it will pop the balloon after a number of seconds.
They're really useful tools is used properly, and they're neat lasers.
But for the poster who said "you probably didn't suffer damage", you are very mis-informed. I hope anyone who gets one of these in the cockpit ends up alright.
Fly safe!
09-17-2009, 07:49 AM
#32
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Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: Tu-95 PIC
Posts: 104
Originally Posted by 123454321
I got the same thing last night flying into Chicago Executive. About a seven mile left base for 16 descending through 2,000 ft. Just a heads up.
09-18-2009, 10:07 AM
#34
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Joined APC: Mar 2009
Posts: 278
Originally Posted by USMCFLYR
I don't know slipped - but your comment above certainly made it sound like you knew what you were talking about. What people are pointing out - and maybe you haven't had some of the laser training that some in the military get or training that some seem to get in recurrent - but your statement is just out of line. Laser are extremely serious business and can absolutely cause damage and they don't have to be of the Stars Wars Death Star variety.
USMCFLYR
USMCFLYR
09-18-2009, 11:06 AM
#35
APC co-founder
Joined APC: Feb 2005
Position: B777
Posts: 5,853
Originally Posted by slipped
Fair enough, my buddy has one(the green kind) and ive seen people get it in the face, they were ok and that was from like 10 feet, I just like to play devils. I was not, and am not, trying to minimize this. It does seem like I am right though(correct me if I am wrong) dudes still flying, with both eyes.
Not all lasers are the Class I laser-pointers that you describe. I worked with high power lasers (Class III and IV) in undergrad and the lab was actually funded with "Star Wars" anti-missile funding. I can assure you that there are lasers in the visible spectrum that are capable of producing blindness if you happen to look down the beam.
09-18-2009, 12:13 PM
#36
Part Time Employee
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Position: Dispersing Green House Gasses on a Global Basis
Posts: 1,918
Originally Posted by slipped
Fair enough, my buddy has one(the green kind) and ive seen people get it in the face, they were ok and that was from like 10 feet, I just like to play devils. I was not, and am not, trying to minimize this. It does seem like I am right though(correct me if I am wrong) dudes still flying, with both eyes.
All lasers and bright light sources are dangerous and even the toy ones can cause lifelong damage to your eyes!
09-18-2009, 08:12 PM
#37
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Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,837
Originally Posted by slipped
Fair enough, my buddy has one(the green kind) and ive seen people get it in the face, they were ok and that was from like 10 feet, I just like to play devils. I was not, and am not, trying to minimize this. It does seem like I am right though(correct me if I am wrong) dudes still flying, with both eyes.
USMCFLYR
09-18-2009, 08:35 PM
#39
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Joined APC: Feb 2009
Position: I am the Stig
Posts: 281
Originally Posted by USMCFLYR
Maybe a little **Clockwork Orange** REEDUCATION - but involving the use of lasers 
USMCFLYR
USMCFLYR
09-18-2009, 10:01 PM
#40
Line Holder
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Posts: 42
I worked with Class IV lasers before getting into flying which can be very dangerous. I've been around lasers for awhile and you could very well receive eye damage from the handheld powerful green laser pointers. Here's an example, shot this about 4 years ago before the "laser fad" hit. About 300 yards away reflecting off a stop sign, this is a medium power laser. The regulations now a days with these things is scary. 12 year old kids can buy them without anyone asking a question.
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