iceman49

Accident: Virgin Atlantic A346 at London on Feb 14th 2016, medical issue with pilot after laser strike

iceman49

Pope?s plane hit by a laser in Mexico City | Ars Technica

cardiomd

Possibly. It would also be the size of a small house and cost millions of dollars. Perhaps a truck-mounted one could be made, with the electronics to track the plane and a portable capacitor and generator. Or we could stop dreaming and worry about realistic threats.

If taking out pilots with a laser was that easy military technology would have used it as air defense, and there have been many DARPA and DOD projects looking at using lasers for a multitude of uses.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_YAL-1

If illuminated by a laser, look down, go on instruments, and fly the plane.

Adlerdriver

I've been hit by laser light at least twice that I can remember in China (once on departure from Beijing) and most recently on departure from Singapore. It didn't feel like a deliberate attempt to "lase" our aircraft specifically. Making reports on that type of event doesn't really seem worth it.

All were green and most likely from some kind of display or light show type thing at an outdoor venue. I can't say for sure because my initial reaction is to look away in case it is deliberate. It seems like attempting to gather information concerning location, direction, etc. just has the potential to make the event more significant. To accurately determine those things, we have to look at the source which doesn't seem to make a lot of sense.

Trying to go "off script" to pass that along to Chinese ATC would be more effort than it's worth, considering I seriously doubt they're going to crack down on Crazy Ho's used cars grand opening.

RhinoPherret

Not that there is anything wrong with "Crazy Ho's".

cardiomd

Interesting stuff. How long were the flashes for (a brief second, or did it light up repeatedly as if tracking your craft?) As somebody said those Christmas lights are really noticeable from the air but I don't think they've ever really directed at my cockpit although I've gotten a lot of warnings from approach.

I struggle to understand how people get so worked up over it and would definitely not try to "find" the guy.

Adlerdriver

They were brief. As if we happened to fly through it, rather than tracking us. The first time in China, it passed by, made me look and I saw it pass through us the opposite direction. Seemed like part of the pattern of movement rather than deliberate when I found the source on the ground. Lots of other lights, spotlights, etc. in the same area. That was the first - I've tried to look away since then.

The only time my eyes have been lased directly was when I bought one of those stupid computer stylus/pen/laser pointer combo things in Shanghai. The first time I looked down to get it out of my shirt pocket I accidentally hit the button and lased the crap out of myself. That POS went in the trash directly.

cardiomd

Ouch - well rest assured a class I/II should not cause damage as the blink reflex should save you, but close up or with a nonstandard / overseas manufacturer I would not take chances.

I always am annoyed when at a lecture or presentation the speaker swings and shines the laser into the audience briefly, even though it should be safe. Divergent source miles away with nonspecular reflections should be safe under almost all conditions by calculations and experience.

Funny, I also bought my first small pen laser thing overseas too, back in the 1990's when they first became available.

cardiomd

From lady cardiomd:

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edca/pr...licopter-laser

https://www.documentcloud.org/docume...Agreement.html

18 months for aiming a 1W laser at a police helicopter. Yes you read that correctly, ONE THOUSAND MILLIWATTS, insanely powerful.

iceman49

Man who shot laser at ferry slapped with $100,000 fine | Ars Technica