For pilots
Learn how to recognize and recover from a laser illumination
If you are a pilot, you may not be able to reduce the number of laser incidents -- but if an incident does occur, you can reduce the severity. Any laser/bright light flash should be manageable if you know what to do.
Be aware that you could be hit at anytime by a laser or bright light (e.g. searchlight):
- You may have a preliminary indication, such as seeing a beam coming towards you. (See these videos, which show what a beam looks like from the air.)
- Or you may be illuminated by a sudden, windscreen-filling flash with no indication of direction.
Do not panic
Understand that this is a very controllable situation.
- “Fly the plane” first. With two pilots, the one who was not exposed should look at the instruments -- not out the window. If the plane is in a critical flight phase such as landing or takeoff, determine whether it can it be flown without looking outside (example: on an automated final approach). Determine whether a go-around might be prudent.
- Do not look directly towards the light; instead, look a bit away from it. Be prepared to look completely away and warn the other pilot if the beam or light returns.
- Block the light if possible with a clipboard, visor or your hand. You can sometimes maneuver the aircraft to block the light.
- Turn up the cockpit lights. Light-adapted eyes are less prone to the effects of a laser.
- Resist the urge to rub your eyes. This can irritate the eyes and cause tearing, or a corneal abrasion.
Report the incident during flight and after landing
If conditions permit – the light is gone or is low enough in intensity – one pilot may want to cautiously ascertain the direction and nature of the light: Where did it come from? How long did the exposure last? What color was it? Was there more than one beam? This may help in finding the perpetrator.
Report the incident to ATC and/or on unicom. (See this page for more details on the reporting procedures.) The tower should warn other aircraft in the area and should contact local law enforcement authorities if necessary. The tower should also check for NOTAMs about any legal, regulated laser activity in the area.
After landing, fill out FAA Advisory Circular 70-2, which requires pilots to report laser and bright light incidents. This page has more information on filing form 70-2. After an event is reported, it triggers a general caution warning broadcast on all appropriate frequencies every five minutes for 20 minutes total, and is included in ATIS broadcasts for one hour after the report. The following is an example:
- UNAUTHORIZED LASER ILLUMINATION EVENT, AT 0100z, 8 MILE FINAL RUNWAY 18R AT 3,000 FEET, GREEN LASER FROM THE SOUTHWEST
Seek qualified eye care if necessary
The likelihood of actual eye damage is extremely low, even if the light was very bright. There may be one or more afterimages, but these do not mean there is permanent damage to the retina. As stated above, avoid rubbing the eyes, as it may cause more harm (e.g., corneal abrasions) than a flash exposure.
Certainly if you are concerned, you can be checked by a qualified eye doctor with experience in retinal examinations. If you suspect serious damage (which is extremely unlikely), you should directly contact Van Nakagawara, research optometrist and vision research team leader, at FAA’s Civil Aerospace Medical Institute in Oklahoma City.
Laser Event Recorders
There has been some use of “Laser Event Recorders” in cockpits. One such device is manufactured by Optra Inc. of Topsfield, Mass. A June 2010 press release about the FBI buying LER’s for cockpit use is here.
For more information
To get the FAA’s perspective on the laser pointer issue, read the article “Blinded by the Light: A Look at Cockpit Laser Illumination Events” in the July/August 2009 issue of FAA Aviation News. The link is to an online PDF of the entire magazine; scroll to magazine page 28 to find the article.