Canada: More incidents; man fined $1000
A sharp increase in the number of pilots being temporarily blinded by lasers while landing or taking off has Transport Canada reminding people that conviction for the crime can result in jail time and a large fine.
Earlier this year a Calgary man was arrested and prosecuted for pointing a laser into the cockpit of a plane. He was the first to be caught and convicted for committing the offence, and received a $1,000 fine.
Spokesperson Maryse Durette said fines and jail time can range up to a maximum $100,000 fine for a summary conviction, and up to five years in prison.
Earlier this year a Calgary man was arrested and prosecuted for pointing a laser into the cockpit of a plane. He was the first to be caught and convicted for committing the offence, and received a $1,000 fine.
Spokesperson Maryse Durette said fines and jail time can range up to a maximum $100,000 fine for a summary conviction, and up to five years in prison.
So far this year there have been 46 incidents across Canada. That's up from 21 last year, three in 2006 and three in 2005 when Transport Canada first began tracking the numbers.
"It is a concern. Any time a pilot is not able to perform at 100 per cent it becomes a concern," Durette told CTV.ca, noting that any distraction can hurts their ability to protect their planes and passengers.
Durette said all of the incidents involved "category one" over-the-counter laser pointers -- the type that are available in stores for purchase without a licence, and are often used in corporate boardrooms.
Durette said Transport Canada treats the incidents seriously and works with local police to investigate whenever a report is made by a pilot.
"It's a pretty stupid thing to do if you don't want to end up in trouble with the law," she said.
From CTV.ca
"It is a concern. Any time a pilot is not able to perform at 100 per cent it becomes a concern," Durette told CTV.ca, noting that any distraction can hurts their ability to protect their planes and passengers.
Durette said all of the incidents involved "category one" over-the-counter laser pointers -- the type that are available in stores for purchase without a licence, and are often used in corporate boardrooms.
Durette said Transport Canada treats the incidents seriously and works with local police to investigate whenever a report is made by a pilot.
"It's a pretty stupid thing to do if you don't want to end up in trouble with the law," she said.
From CTV.ca