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US: 2 arrested at Midway for plane & helicopter illumination

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2011-03-18T03:24:57-07:00

Two adults have been arrested after a laser was aimed at a commercial plane near Midway Airport in Chicago. A police helicopter sent to investigate was also illuminated. The incident happened at about 8:30 pm local time on Thursday, March 17 2011. The arrest site is about 5 miles east of Midway Airport: From the Chicago Tribune

Norway: Registration now required for laser pointer possession and use

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2011-03-15T04:29:21-07:00

Regulation 29 October 2010 No. 1380 on Radiation Protection and Use of Radiation (Radiation Protection Regulations) came into force on 1 January 2011, and is sanctioned by law, 12 May 2000 No. 36 on Radiation Protection and Use of Radiation (Radiation Protection Act). ...When the application for approval for laser pointers, requires radiation protection regulations § 10 that shall be made in writing, and § 9 provides NRPA opportunity to set conditions for approval. ... • If it is clearly marked on the appliance in manual or accompanying papers like the Laser class 3R, 3B or 4 "(or in English or German), there is reason to believe that this is true and you have to promote an application for approval (see below) if plan to have or use it in public space. • If it is not marked or labeled in a different manner than that required in laser standard, one cannot assess the risk belongs to the laser, and NRPA will not give approval. ... • If you do not have approval for a laser pointer that can be in one of the Laser classes that requires approval, it will be illegal to take it out of your own home or bright in public space. ...If you have a laser pointer, you must also be aware that the resale or other form of transfer must be done in a responsible manner. ...An applicant for approval must provide a reason for the acquisition and the need to have a laser pointer corresponding class 3R, 3B or 4 It should also state the purpose of using can be achieved by the use of alternative means, such as laser pointers or weaker in a way that leads to reduced exposure.

UK: 3 arrested for aiming laser at -- ducks?

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-03-24T18:47:14-07:00

Three fishermen were arrested March 7 2009 in Reading, West Berkshire, for having laser pointers while night fishing. ... One was released after two hours, the other two men were held at the station for ten hours. ...One of the men, 57-year-old Martin Kailus was quoted by The Telegraph as saying “Quite a few people have them around here and use them for fishing. ... His friend Mick Radomski, 53, said “I am not a terrorist and I object to having all my DNA details and fingerprints on a police database.” The fishing site is about 15 miles from Heathrow Airport (which is to the right of M25 in the map above) and is underneath a flight path. From press reports, it does not appear that there were any aircraft reporting lasers on the evening of the arrest, or in the days immediately preceding. However, a spokesman for the Southgate Angling Society did say they had reports of laser pen misuse by fishermen, when beams were aimed at people and homes.

US: Homemade laser pulse gun packs 1-megawatt punch

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2011-03-08T03:33:36-08:00

Homemade lasers, using diodes from DVD burners and video projectors such as the Casio Green Slim, are common among hobbyists. However, a new homemade laser is the first we have seen with a 1-megawatt pulse. ...It is “enough to punch holes in plastic sheets, scorch wood, and pop balloons from several feet away” according to Dvice.com. ...It takes four seconds to charge the capacitor; the gun then fires a 100 nanosecond, 1 megawatt burst of infrared 1064 nanometer light. ...SAFETY NOTE: Because the laser emits an invisible pulse, it would not be a visual interference hazard to aircraft (e.g., it could not cause glare or flashblindness). At close range the Q-switched pulse would definitely be an eye hazard, causing an explosive steam “pop” on the retina rather than the relatively slow burn of a continuous-wave laser. LaserPointerSafety.com has not done an analysis to determine the “safe” distance, beyond which it would not pose an eye hazard to pilots or others.

Germany: Man charged with aiming at cars on highway

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2011-03-09T21:23:16-08:00

On March 2 2011, a 33-year-old man from Marienborn was arrested for aiming a laser pointer at passing cars on the A60 motorway. A patrol car was hit and was able to determine the man’s location. According to a machine translation, “...the man had felt in the anonymity of the skyscrapers seem fully secure. He stated that he wanted to reduce his aggression in this way.” (“...der Mann in der Anonymität der Hochhäuser scheinbar völlig sicher gefühlt. Er gab an, dass er auf diese Weise seine Aggressionen abbauen wollte.”) He told interrogators that others “have often been blinded in the same way.”

Canada: 99 cent laser leads to weapons assault charge

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2011-03-10T20:44:42-08:00

A man who just bought a laser pointer for 99 cents on eBay, and who wanted to see how far it could go, was arrested for pointing it at a Winnipeg police helicopter on March 9 2011. Sheldon Friesen, 26, faces provincial charges of assault with a weapon, and possible federal charges with a maximum penalty of a CDN $100,000 fine and/or five years in prison. When asked why he aimed at an aircraft, Friesen said “Just to see the distance. You point it up into the sky and see the beam go forever. I don’t know how far forever is, so I see something in the sky that’s worth reflecting, well why not? .... It was supposed to be for simple entertainment rather than having to cause someone danger like that.” It took only about five minutes from the time he first aimed at the helicopter, to his arrest by three ground-based units.

US: Fla. man accepts plea; did not think laser could reach aircraft

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2011-03-10T19:37:34-08:00

A 34-year-old Florida man pleaded guilty to one count of pointing a laser light at a driver or pilot, a third-degree felony. He avoided up to five years of prison and instead received one year probation, 140 hours of community service, and agreed not to possess a laser pointer. Michael Fowler was arrested Dec. 2 2010 after a “bluish laser light” illuminated a Marion County Sheriff’s Office helicopter. Ocala.com quoted him as saying “I didn’t even think the laser pointer could reach that far.” Fowler told the news site that he was the second person in Florida history to be charged with that offense, after Frank Newton Anderson. From Ocala.com

US: $5000 reward offered in Maryland airplane illumination

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2011-03-01T14:30:15-08:00

A $5000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the person(s) who aimed a laser into the cockpit of a Southwest Airlines flight approaching Baltimore-Washington International Airport. The flight, which originated in Milwaukee, was 2000 feet over the town of Millersville, near Old Mill Road and Kenora Drive, when it was illuminated around 6:45 pm on Sunday, Feb. ...According to the FBI, the eyes of both pilots were injured. The pilots “took their eyes off of the instruments during final approach, but the aircraft landed safely.” The reward money is coming from both the FBI and Maryland Transportation Authority Police. Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI at 410-265-8080 or the Maryland Transportation Authority Police at 410-859-7041. ...Thanks to Dan Hewett, FDA/CDRH for bringing this to our attention.

US: NY Times says injury increase feared from higher powered lasers

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2011-02-28T14:54:27-08:00

The New York Times reported on persons who are concerned about eye injuries caused by misuse of lasers which are easily available and are “10 to 20 times as powerful” as the U.S. limit of 5 milliwatts. Experts quoted in the article say the incidents are “the beginning of a trend” and that “in the hands of children it’s a very scary proposition.” ...In three of the incidents, a young person deliberately stared into a laser beam, while the fourth was caused by a high-schooler whose friend waved a 50 mW laser in his face. (Besides these anecdotal accounts, the article gave no overall statistics on injuries except to say that an ophthalmologist association is “unaware of any increase in eye injuries caused by lasers.”) ... • A U.K. physician says the U.S. limit should be 1 mW, that even at 5 mW laser pointers have “acute” dangers. ... • Wicked Lasers says that its products are compliant, that they are “extremely clear” about eye and fire hazards on their webpages, and that they will be offering online safety lessons “before checkout”. ... • An 18-year-old laser hobbyist, who wears goggles and is supervised by his parents, said he was learning about electronics, soldering, physics, light, optics and mechanics.

US: House and Senate pass legislation against laser pointer aiming

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2011-02-28T12:47:24-08:00

House of Representatives on February 25 passed, by voice vote, H.R. 386, the “Securing Aircraft Cockpits Against Lasers Act of 2011.” ... Because the House passed a bill, while the Senate passed an amendment to a different bill, a joint House-Senate committee will meet to “agree on a common format” before sending the legislation to President Barack Obama for his signature. The bill makes it a crime to aim or illuminate an aircraft with a laser pointer. ...Whoever knowingly aims the beam of a laser pointer at an aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States, or at the flight path of such an aircraft, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both. As used in this section, the term ‘laser pointer’ means any device designed or used to amplify electromagnetic radiation by stimulated emission that emits a beam designed to be used by the operator as a pointer or highlighter to indicate, mark, or identify a specific position, place, item, or object. ...386: 1) R&D and flight testing approved by FAA, 2) Defense or Homeland Security department operations, and 3) use of a “laser emergency signaling device to send an emergency distress signal.” ...COMMENTARY: LaserPointerSafety.com has a page with our analysis of H.R. 386, written before the bill was introduced into the current session of Congress.

US: Police search Phoenix neighborhood after multiple hits

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2011-02-25T12:31:06-08:00

A news helicopter, checking out a laser incident involving a traffic-reporting airplane, was itself illuminated multiple times. The reporter in the helicopter was surprised a laser could be so intense: “I didn’t realize how bright it was,” Tammy Rose was quoted as saying. “From the ground, it doesn’t look like it shoots that far into the sky. … I was surprised at how much it actually lit up the screens. ...Police went door to door after the 6:30 am Friday Feb. 25 2011 illumination, in an attempt to find a suspect. ...The animation above shows frames from just before and just after a direct hit on the news helicopter. ... (Don’t click on the gray “Play” button in the center -- it is part of the screen capture, and is not a working button.)

Germany: 273 incidents in 2010; call for ban on pointers

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2011-02-28T09:00:55-08:00

In 2010, there were 273 laser “attacks” on aircraft in Germany, an increase of 800 percent. This is according to deputy chairman of the CDU / CSU Parliamentary Group, Dr. Günter Krings, speaking to a safety group in Potsdam. He recommends fast action. He discussed a European import ban, as well as classifying lasers as a weapon, and prohibiting private possession. “I call on the competent authorities to submit to the problem of dangerous laser fast red tape as possible solutions, before something happens and people get hurt.” Original articles (in German) from Rettung Magazine and Fluege.de News.

US: Dallas spotlight illuminates jet on final approach

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-08-31T11:43:18-07:00

A Southwest Airlines jet on final approach reported a “laser strike” after being hit by a bright non-laser spotlight August 29 2010. The Bombshells strip club (red “A” on the map below) had a “spinning search light” on its roof, located about 2 miles from Dallas Love Field. The jet was hit at an altitude of 1000 feet. The club said the light was “installed at an angle” which they were told would not be a problem for aircraft. An FAA official said that incidents like this had the potential to cause a problem such as the co-pilot having to complete a landing. ...Location of Bombshells, relative to the Dallas Love Field approach. ...Feb. 2011 note: The club may have changed its name since the incident, to “Dallas Cabaret”.

UK: 4 months for steady aiming at RAF Tornado jet

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-09-16T11:26:40-07:00

An RAF Tornado fighter jet was illuminated by a beam “focused on the jet cockpit for up to ten seconds”, on 16 August 2010, at RAF Leuchars airbase (near St. ... One month later, 28-year-old Romanian migrant worker Radu Moldovan pleaded guilty to culpably and recklessly endangering a military aircraft. He received a four-year sentence. His lawyer said that Moldovan “wanted to see how powerful” the £4 green laser pen was. The laser beam was aimed at or near the aircraft multiple times. The local sheriff said “The consequences of a Tornado crashing at RAF Leuchars raises the most horrific possibilities of death and injury to the pilot, navigator and anyone passing underneath.” From BBC News

US: Law proposed in Illinois to criminalize laser pointing

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2011-01-26T11:02:08-08:00

An Illinois state representative introduced HB0167, which amends the state criminal code to make “discharging a laser into the cockpit of an aircraft” a Class A misdemeanor. Republican Dave Winters of Shirland is a pilot who wants to give state police jurisdiction over the crime. HB0167 is similar to HR 387, a bill currently in the U.S. ... One difference is that the state bill criminalizes using any “laser” that illuminates a cockpit, while the federal bill only applies to “laser pointers”. Another difference is that HB0167 contains two of the three exceptions in HR 387. While it provides an exemption for R&D and flight tests, and for the Defense and Homeland Security Departments, it does not provide any exemption for lasers used to signal in emergency rescue situations. The full text of the bill, along with the status and other information, is available from the Illinois General Assembly.

Canada: 10-year-old tracks police helicopter

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2011-02-18T13:37:01-08:00

A 10-year-old illuminated a York Regional Police helicopter multiple times with a green laser pointer on Feb. ... The pilot broke off an active search and “immediately navigated the helicopter to safety” after noticing the green light. Police located the source and talked with the youth’s parents, who had been home during the incident. They were aware the boy had the pointer, but did not know the boy was tracking aircraft with it. ...York police said there have been four incidents so far in 2011, and more than 12 in 2010. On Feb. 18 they put out a press release reminding parents that laser pointers are not a toy, and that charges can be brought for illuminating civilian and police aircraft. ... • Projection of a bright light source at an aircraft;

US: California woman arrested for illuminating two helicopters

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2011-02-17T06:45:04-08:00

Police announced that on Feb. 5, they arrested a Long Beach (California) woman for illuminating two helicopters on Jan. 29 2011, causing one to break off an aerial search for suspects who had shot at detectives. Officers on the ground located 34-year-old Kelly Ann Smith. They took her laser pointer and released her so they could continue searching for the shooting suspects. One week later, she was arrested, spent the night in jail, and was released the next day on $20,000 bail. She faces two felony counts of discharging a laser at an aircraft. According to the Los Angeles Times, “Police said they hoped the arrest would send a message that this type of offense would be punished harshly.” From the Los Angeles Times and the Long Beach Post

US: Pentagon delayed using laser dazzers in Iraq

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2011-02-16T07:00:25-08:00

The nonlethal dazzlers are small, weapons-mounted or handheld lasers that temporarily blind potential threats with pulses of green laser light. During the U.S. phase of the Iraq war, Marine Corps leaders requested the handheld devices as a way to warn and stop drivers who were overrunning military checkpoints. Wired’s David Axe estimates that “as many as 50” Iraqi civilians were killed by gunfire -- instead of being forced off the road by dazzlers -- during the nine month delay. ...Laser dazzlers provide a nonlethal capability by emitting an intense light capable of temporarily obscuring the vision of approaching individuals; however, using lasers poses a risk of serious eye injury and permanent blindness. ... Using nonlethal laser dazzlers would give Marine operating forces an additional capability to increase stand-off distances, safeguard civilians who venture too close to Marine positions, and help prevent unwarranted escalation of force incidences; however, DoD [Department of Defense] policy prohibits the use of lasers designed to cause permanent blindness. ...The Inspector General’s report contains additional details about the range, capabilities, safety concerns and policy issues related to military use of laser dazzlers. For example, the 1995 Protocol on Blinding Laser Weapons states that the signatories (which include the U.S.) “shall take all feasible precautions to avoid the incidence of permanent blindness to unenhanced vision.”

Greece: Laser pointer used during riot

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2008-12-13T06:28:43-08:00

During riots in Athens, a protester uses a laser pointer against a Greek riot policeman. (See also this News item from 2011 Greek riots.) From Wired and the Boston Globe (scroll down to photo #24 to see larger and read caption)

Greece: Protesters use laser pointer against police

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2011-02-08T06:20:48-08:00

Riot police have a laser pointer aimed at them, during protests in Greece on Feb. 8 2011. Click to see full-size photo. (See also this News item from 2008 Greek riots.) From MSNBC Photoblog

US: California man could face 4+ years in prison for helicopter illumination

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2011-02-09T06:03:28-08:00

A Shasta Lake, California man has been charged with two felony and two misdemeanor counts, after a Dec. 6 2010 incident where a California Highway Patrol helicopter was illuminated multiple times with a green laser beam. Kevin Wayne Foster, 39, faces 4 years, 8 months in prison if convicted. ...He told a sheriff’s deputy he was “hitting it against his palm to try to get it to work and admitted to pointing it in the direction of the helicopter.” Foster said “I never saw the helicopter. I was not raised like that.” The helicopter pilot testified that the laser light “lit up the cockpit”, blinding him for 5-10 seconds and that it took several minutes to regain his night vision. Two additional illuminations then occurred, but “he had averted his eyes and was not blinded by them.”

Australia: NSW man arrested for possession after traffic incident

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2011-02-06T05:54:52-08:00

A New South Wales man was charged with “possessing a laser pointer in a public place.” The incident started when police were called by motorists in Kempsey reporting laser lights. The area was searched; a 19-year-old man was found with a laser pointer, and was arrested. A court date of March 7 2011 was set. From a New South Wales police force press release

Canada: Conviction in assault over laser pointer annoyance

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2011-02-05T05:43:20-08:00

On April 13, 2007, three moviegoers were “beaten and stabbed after they asked a group of males to stop disrupting a film with a laser pointer.” On Feb. 5 2011, one of the males was found guilty of assault causing bodily harm, and common assault. This follows a March 2010 guilty finding for another attacker. A previous News item described the attack in more detail. From the Ottawa Citizen

Canada: Calgary "amateur astronomer" charged

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2011-01-29T05:33:18-08:00

A 39-year-old Calgary man was charged after a Jan. 5 2011 incident where a radio station traffic airplane, and a television helicopter, were illuminated by a green laser. Chris Sean Saulnier faces “one count of endangering the safety or security of an aircraft in flight..., two counts of projecting a light source into navigable airspace in such a manner to create a hazard to aviation safety, and two counts of mischief to property.” Saulnier said he bought the $100 laser for his work as a contractor and as an amateur astronomer. He cooperated with police and was “remorseful and took full responsibility for his actions” according to a police spokesman. From the Calgary Herald

Australia: 2008 "cluster attack" caused by boys on bicycles

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2011-02-11T08:46:27-08:00

In an incident in late March 2008, six planes had to alter their flight paths into Sydney’s airport after pilots reported a “coordinated cluster attack” of “up to four” laser beams. This incident has been cited numerous times as perhaps being a dry run or test for some more sinister laser usage. However, it turns out that this incident was caused by boys on bicycles, apparently acting without pre-planning and not knowing how the lasers would affect pilot vision. During a Feb. 2011 briefing to the SAE G10T laser safety group , FAA flight standards liaison Patrick Hempen said that the truth about Sydney has not caught up with the news stories: “The attacks are usually spontaneous in nature, perpetrated by careless or malicious persons.” Hempen said that investigation by US and Australian officials revealed that the Sydney "cluster attack" was caused by youths, riding their bicycles on a golf course at night, who stopped and took the occasion to illuminate landing aircraft. He noted that the youths’ local community had a history of acrimony directed at the airport authority due to the construction of a new runway which caused more flights over their residential area. Hempen also investigated several laser events in the Mideast and found many of the so-called "deliberate attacks" to be similar; they were “events perpetrated by youths, in a party-like atmosphere, without care or knowledge of the havoc that they were causing.”

US: 14-year-old arrested in LAX incident; did not think laser could reach aircraft

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2011-02-09T07:01:21-08:00

A 14-year-old boy was arrested Feb. 8 2011 for “shining a laser light into the eyes of a pilot” landing at Los Angeles International Airport. ...NBC Los Angeles reported that the boy also aimed at the police helicopter. ... According to the Daily Mail, the boy thought that “the light would not go up to the height of the aircraft.” The map below shows the area of the arrest (“A” on the map) in relation to the airport which is about 8 miles to the southwest. NBCLA’s news helicopter, which was covering the arrest, was targeted by a second laser for about three seconds. ... The second beam came from an area about one block away. ...Note: The Huffington Post, citing CNN, reported that the 14-year-old was a girl, but other press reports said the suspect was a boy.

US: Laser pointer used against cars

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-06-29T11:15:57-07:00

Three men were arrested for shining a green laser pointer at motorists on the New York State Thruway, in Brutus (Cayuga County, NY). The men were in a truck and were arrested at a rest stop after “troopers received reports from other motorists.” The men were charged with disorderly conduct. From the Syracuse Post-Standard

US: Firing gun at helicopter: 10 years; using lasers: 3-20 years

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2011-01-21T19:45:49-08:00

In the past few years, a number of persons have been convicted of illuminating pilots of aircraft, often police helicopters. ... In the U.S., the average sentence seems to be about 3 years. ...In Orlando, two similar cases in the same jurisdiction provide one point of comparison. Jason Dennis McGuire man was convicted today of firing a gun at an Orange County Sheriff’s Office helicopter in March 2010. According to the Orlando Sentinel, Jason Dennis McGuire “faces a minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison”. ...In a parallel case, the Sentinel notes that another Orlando man, Frank Newton Anderson, “faces up to 20 years in prison for interfering with the operation of an aircraft” by shining a laser at an Orange County Sheriff’s Office helicopter in April 2010. ... This case was previously reported here at LaserPointerSafety.com.

US: Casio sends cease-and-desist letter to "harvesting" hobbyist

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-10-27T18:46:08-07:00

Judging from the representations you have made online in connection with item ..., the laser diode you are selling was obtained by harvesting a CASIO projector. ...The 445 nm blue lasers contained in CASIO projectors are Class IV laser products, the sale of which is restricted by the U.S. ...This obviously unintended misuse and alteration of a CASIO projector component circumvents the safety features contained in the CASIO projector and has the potential to create a substantial risk of fire and injury to users and targets alike. Indeed it is precisely for this reason that the FDA restricts sale of such Class IV lasers, and Casio provides a written warning to all purchasers of its relevant projectors that disassembly is potentially dangerous and prohibited. Furthermore, the 445 nm blue lasers contained within the CASIO projector are not made by Casio -- they are third party products and your use of the CASIO trademark in connection with their promotion raises the likelihood of confusion in the market by creating a false suggestion of affiliation or sponsorship. ...We, therefore, demand that you immediately cease and desist from the (i) sale of any laser product derived from a CASIO projector, and (ii) use of any CASIO-related trademark in connection with the sale of laser products. Your failure to notify us by November 8 that you intend to comply with the foregoing will require Casio to consider the full range of its legal option.

UK: Laser "dazzler" from BAE Systems for use against pirates and other threats

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2011-01-10T09:46:33-08:00

Defense specialist BAE Systems demonstrated a prototype laser intended for commercial vessels to distract, disorient and deter pirates. According to the company, the custom Nd:YAG laser “is capable of providing a visual warning to pirates at distances greater than 2km, and of disorientating attackers sufficiently at lesser distances so that weapons cannot be targeted effectively. At all times the power levels of the laser remain eye safe.” Roy Clarke, BAE Systems capability technology lead for laser photonic systems, said: “The effect is similar to when a fighter pilot attacks from the direction of the sun. The glare from the laser is intense enough to make it impossible to aim weapons like AK47s or RPGs, but doesn’t have a permanent effect.” From the BAE Systems press release.

US: NFL team Seattle Seahawks plane hit by laser

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2011-01-17T08:49:22-08:00

A chartered airplane carrying the Seattle Seahawks football team was illuminated with a laser while landing at Sea-Tac Airport on January 16. The team was returning from a playoff loss to the Chicago Bears earlier that day. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the plane was about 2 miles from the runway when it was hit. The incident was reported to local police. As of January 19, no suspect has been identified. From SB Nation and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

US: 2,836 laser events reported in 2010; FAA expresses concern

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2011-01-19T13:24:05-08:00

WASHINGTON – The FAA announced today that in 2010, nationwide reports of lasers pointed at aircraft almost doubled from the previous year to more than 2,800. This is the highest number of laser events recorded since the FAA began keeping track in 2005. Los Angeles International Airport recorded the highest number of laser events in the country for an individual airport in 2010, with 102 reports, and the greater Los Angeles area tallied nearly twice that number, with 201 reports. ... Mineta San Jose International Airport tied for the third highest number of laser events for the year with 80 each. ...Nationwide, laser event reports have steadily increased since the FAA created a formal reporting system in 2005 to collect information from pilots. ...“The FAA is actively warning people not to point high-powered lasers at aircraft because they can damage a pilot’s eyes or cause temporary blindness,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. ...The increase in reports is likely due to a number of factors, including the availability of inexpensive laser devices on the Internet; higher power levels that enable lasers to hit aircraft at higher altitudes; increased pilot reporting of laser strikes; and the introduction of green lasers, which are more easily seen than red lasers.

US: 3-year prison sentence for targeting police helicopter

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2011-01-10T14:19:35-08:00

A Massachusetts man was sentenced to three years in federal prison, for the December 8, 2007 illumination of a state police helicopter. The charges included “willfully interfering with an aircraft operator with reckless disregard for human life”, and making false statements to arresting officers. 52-year-old Gerard Sasso aimed a Class 3B green laser, said to be “at least five to ten times more powerful than an ordinary laser pointer” [approximately 25 to 50 milliwatts], at a helicopter that was escorting a liquified natural gas tanker through Boston Harbor. The pilots took evasive action, but the cockpit was hit and filled with “an intense sparkling green light”. ...News reports quoted prosecutors as saying that Sasso was the second person in the U.S. to be convicted of lasing an aircraft. They also pointed to the November 2009 sentence of a California man who received 2.5 years for shining a laser at two airplanes and temporarily blinding a pilot. [This may refer to federal prison sentences, since others in the U.S. have received jail time for laser/aircraft incidents.

US: FAA issues study of 2,492 laser events from 2004 to 2008

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-12-30T12:32:33-08:00

The FAA has released a study of 2,492 events where civilian aircraft were illuminated by lasers in the United States, from Jan. 1 2004 to Dec. 31 2008. A summary of the report’s key findings are here at LaserPointerSafety.com, on the page 2010 FAA 5-year incident study. The study is entitled “The Illumination of Aircraft at Altitude by Laser Beams: A 5-Year Study Period (2004-2008)”. The FAA’s abstract is here; and the full 12-page report in PDF format is here.

US: Helicopter pilots injured in Florida laser incident

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2011-01-05T11:11:51-08:00

The helicopter was 500 feet in the air, and about 1/2 to 3/4 mile away (800 to 1200 meters) from Moreno’s home during the incident. A follow-up press report on Jan. 3 said the pilots were grounded, awaiting the results of medical evaluations which will “determine whether they will be able to immediately return to flying.” [Although the newspaper story indicated that the pilots were wearing night vision goggles, they did not have them on during the laser exposure, according to a person familiar with the investigation.] From the Naples Daily News (initial report Jan. 2 2011, follow-up report Jan. 3 2011) Thanks to Glen Moore for bringing this to our attention.

US: FDA warns of risk from high-powered lasers

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-12-16T06:58:09-08:00

Purpose: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting consumers about the risk of eye and skin injuries from high-powered laser pointers. ...The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting consumers about the risk of eye and skin injuries from exposure to high-powered laser pointers. ...However, reflections of the laser beam from mirrors or metallic surfaces may not induce the protective reflex quickly enough to avoid injury, and intentionally keeping your eyes open and staring into a 5 mW beam will cause eye injury. ...The FDA is also aware of incidents reported by the Federal Aviation Administration of pilots experiencing temporary flash-blinding when lasers are aimed at their aircraft. ...For example, several foreign manufacturers produce and sell laser pointers with an output greater than 5mW and have been placed on Import Alert, which identifies their products for automatic detention by FDA when they enter the U.S. ... • Do NOT buy any laser pointer that emits more than 5 mW output power and does not have the output power printed on the warning label affixed to the pointer. ...If you have been injured by a laser pointer, or if you witness an injury involving a laser pointer, we encourage you to submit a report to the FDA District Office consumer complaint coordinator for your geographic area.

Malaysia: Football players walk off to protest laser pen wielding fans

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-12-26T14:37:46-08:00

The Jakarta Globe wrote about the Indonesia-Malaysia finals match: Indonesia’s players also had to deal with the crowd, particularly goalkeeper Markus Harison who was continually distracted by laser lights being flashed by the home fans. Referee Toma Masaaki stopped the match in the 53rd minute after Indonesia complained that the lights were being aimed at players as they tried to defend against a Malaysian free kick. ...After the match, Indonesia’s president told his sports minister to file a protest with the AFF. Despite the interference, “the President called on Indonesian supporters not to use laser beam when Indonesia becomes the host of the second leg on Wednesday Dec. 29: ‘Let’s be a country that upholds a fair play,’ he said.” From Jakarta Post news stories about the game and about the President’s reaction, and a story in the Jakarta Globe

US: Up to 20 years in prison possible in Orlando helicopter incident

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-12-23T07:52:26-08:00

A 43-year-old man has admitted guilt in an April 13 2010 incident when he hit a Sheriff’s Office helicopter two times as it flew over Orlando. The pilot “lost temporary sight of the aircraft’s instrumentation and horizon”. Frank Newton Anderson can face up to 20 years in federal prison for one count of interfering with the operation of an aircraft. He will enter his guilty plea before a judge on January 19 2011. Original news item about the incident is here. Dec. 23 2010 update on guilty plea from the Orlando Sentinel. Jan. 19 2011 update on guilty plea being entered from the Orlando Sentinel.

US: 3 years in prison for injuring deputy

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-12-14T07:21:46-08:00

An Oregon man, Anton Strom, was sentenced to three years in prison for causing permanent retinal scarring of a sheriff’s deputy’s left eye on July 17 2010. Strom aimed a “powerful, industrial grade” green laser pointer 423 feet across a parking lot at Deputy Glenn Howard, who now has a stronger corrective lens prescription in his left eye, and “his doctor said his vision may deteriorate further.” Strom was charged with two counts of second-degree assault and one count of unlawful use of a weapon. He pled guilty to one second-degree assault count, as part of a plea bargain reducing his sentence from the minimum six years, to three years. Howard testified that during the incident he feared for his life since lasers are often used on weapons. He “pulled his duty weapon and prepared to return fire.” ...Thanks to Daniel Hewett of the FDA for bringing this to our attention.

Italy: Pre-school hit twice, parents fearful

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-12-01T02:39:53-08:00

A pre-school in Rome was targeted twice by laser beams in a single month, sending students to the hospital for examinations both times. According to an Italian newspaper report, “the laser beam coming from outside the building hit them in the eyes, hurting them”. The exams showed “eyes puffy and watery, fortunately no serious injuries to the cornea.” The school board president says that the laser could only have come from apartments overlooking the school, but “we do not know if it is the act of a madman or a child struggling with a dangerous toy.” ...After the second incident, teachers lowered the blinds in the classroom. The report also notes other “increasing” incidents where laser pointers are used against pilots and football (soccer) goalies. ...Thanks to Alberto Kellner Ongaro for bringing this to our attention.

US: FDA "disapproves" of Wicked Lasers; stops imports

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-12-08T19:28:05-08:00

Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) hereby disapproves the quality control and testing program for all laser products including, but not limited to model families Core, Spyder, Executive, Evolution, Elite, E2, E3, S3 and Pulsar produced by Energy Technology Development Limited, also known as Wicked Lasers, Ltd., Wicked Lights, Energy Tech Development Company, or Light Technology Group. ...Based on the findings listed below, CDRH finds that Energy Technology Development Limited, also known as Wicked Lasers, Ltd., Wicked Lights, Energy Tech Development Company, or Light Technology Group has failed to establish a quality test program which ensures compliance with the FDA regulations. ... 2 21 CFR 1003.10 Discovery of defect or failure of compliance by manufacturer- notice requirements: The firm failed to respond to a letter dated January 12, 2006 that required notification of dealers/distributors of the violative products. 3 21 CFR 1003.11 Determination by Secretary that product fails to comply or has a defect: The firm failed to respond to a letter dated January 12, 2006 that required a written response to FDA with the number of referenced products that have been produced and number that have left the place of manufacture. ...This information contradicts information contained in letters issued to the firm dated January 12, 2006 and May 13, 2008 from CDRH that identified its Class IIIb Classic Series, Advanced Series, Extreme Series, Executive Series, Evolution Series, Elite Series, Signature Series, Photonic Disrutor, Spyder II GX, CORE Green Lasers; SONAR I Blu-ray, SONAR II Burner, Spyder II BX Blue Lasers; and Pulsar Series Red Lasers as SLA laser products. ...You are required, under 21 CFR 1003.11(b), to immediately provide a written response to FDA with the number of laser products which have been produced and the number of such products that have left the place of manufacture. ...If you neither refute the noncompliance nor request an exemption, then you must: (a) notify purchasers and dealers/distributors of the violative products as specified in 21 CFR 1003.10(b), and (b) submit a written corrective action plan (CAP) for approval showing how you will fulfill your obligation under 21 CFR 1004.1 to repair, replace, or refund the cost of the violative products.

US: Maryland man arrested

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-11-24T07:32:53-08:00

A 35-year-old man who illuminated a State Police helicopter was charged by Maryland with reckless endangerment, attempted second-degree assault on a law enforcement officer, and prohibited use of a laser pointer. ...Hopwood of Sykesville, MD “repeatedly targeted” the helicopter. Ground police were notified; the helicopter then located the source. Hopgood was arrested by a trooper without incident. "Shining lasers at aircraft can have dangerous and even deadly consequences," Maryland State Police said in a news release. "A direct laser strike in the cockpit can cause temporary blindness and disorientation for the flight crew." ...Thanks to Howard Donovan for bringing this to our attention.

US: Injury reported from Casio-sourced 630mW diode

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-11-30T04:43:49-08:00

The laser was homemade from a diode removed from a Casio data projector sold at office supply stores. In his original post, he said it was bought from a “harvester”: a person who buys Casio projectors for around $800 and then sells the 24 diodes inside for $46 each. Later, the hobbyist clarified to LaserPointerSafety.com that this particular diode did not come from that supplier, but from a different eBay seller. ...See Update below explaining that the original posts by “FarewelltoKings” were later removed. ...Additional information on Casio diode harvesting is in our June 2010 alert, and in the “If you are writing a laser law...” page (scroll down to the photo of the projector). ...He told LaserPointerSafety.com that the story was exaggerated “to remind people to always be careful around mirrors.” He also said the laser involved was not from the “harvester” supplier mentioned above, but was from an eBay-purchased diode that he assembled into a laser himself.)

US: Man annoyed at copter shines laser; arrested

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-11-22T12:38:55-08:00

A 58-year-old deliberately targeted a Polk County Sheriff’s Office helicopter on Sunday Nov. 21 because he was “tired of hearing it”. ... They were forced to break off the search due to the “intense light that disoriented the pilot and a flight observer. ... The pilot had to leave the area to readjust cockpit equipment, forcing additional units to be allocated to find the suicidal subject. Mark Clay Hazlitt was arrested and charged with Misuse of Laser Lighting Device, a third-degree felony. ...Hazlitt deliberately interfered with a search in which deputies were trying to locate a man who said he was going to take his life. The laser used was strong enough to disrupt night vision devices thus creating a very real danger to our air unit crew. He deliberately placed the lives of our pilot and flight observer in jeopardy, as well as those on the ground had the helicopter crashed.

Netherlands: Eye injury leads to assault charge

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-09-29T08:45:22-07:00

EDE -Tuesday A 16-year-old student from Ede is arrested for assault by the police in his hometown. The boy would have shined a laser pointer in the face of a person working at his school and caused eye damage. The 61-year-old victim was forced doctor's treatment because of injury. The police was warned by the school, and the 16-year-old Edenaar was arrested . The boy confessed and after hearing he was transferred to his parents pending a decision of justice. ...Dutch original story from EdeStad.nl, Sept. ...Thanks to Maurice Wortel for bringing this to our attention.

Netherlands: Bus driver injured; 14-year-old arrested

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-11-22T16:11:19-08:00

On Sunday [Nov 21 2010] the police in Den Bosch arrested a 14-year-old boy who probably shone with a laser pen from his parental home, into the eyes of a bus driver. The 46-year-old driver got a eye damage and had to stop the bus. ... It is still unclear whether the injury is permanent. ...In the bedroom officers found the boy had approximately one hundred blanks [bullet blank rounds, which are illegal in Netherlands]. The boy was sent home after interrogation. Dutch original story from De Telegraaf Binnenland, Nov. ...Thanks to Maurice Wortel for bringing this to our attention.

EU: Call for EU-wide restrictions on laser pointers

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-11-03T10:00:44-07:00

We would like to draw your attention to the serious concern of the radiation safety authorities in Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden regarding the widespread misuse of powerful laser pointers. The radiation safety authorities in these countries encourage the European Commission to begin preparing European legislation covering battery-powered lasers, including import restrictions on laser pointers for the general public. ...In order to reduce the availability of these laser pointers for the general public, several EU Member States, e.g. ... However, import restrictions in one country within the EEA are rendered less effective when the lasers can enter via another country without such import restrictions. For the above-mentioned reasons, the radiation safety authorities in Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden strongly urge the European Commission to immediately begin preparing a European Directive for battery-powered lasers and establish import restrictions on such items. The radiation safety authorities in these countries also propose a ban on overly powerful laser pointers for the general public. Only Class 1 and 2 laser pointers having a maximum power of 1 mW are recommended for the general public, and only if they comply with the European laser standard EN 60825-1.

US: 3+ years in prison for California man

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-10-26T10:37:35-07:00

Valladares, 30, was sentenced to three years and one month in prison for shining a green laser at a Sacramento CA sheriff’s helicopter on March 16 2009 [see report here]. The copter was hit while searching for the source of a laser that earlier in the evening had illuminated a Southwest Airlines flight landing at Sacramento International Airport. Three years and one month in prison for aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft Valladares admitted hitting the helicopter but denied hitting the airplane. He pled guilty in June 2009 to one count of interfering with the safe operation of an aircraft. In addition to his 37-month sentence, he also will have three years of probation after his release. ...Shubb acknowledged the defendant’s “apparently sincere indication to turn his life around,” but said it was important to send the message that shining a laser at aircraft in flight is a “very serious problem (with) very, very serious consequences.”

US: Four years for laser pointer at helicopter

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-01-25T10:20:16-08:00

Before imposing the sentence, Judge O’Flaherty expressed disappointment with Downie: “You defendants find ways to uselessly get into trouble here, but I guess that’s why a lot of people are in jail,” he said. ...“And when these lasers strike your eye, you’re responsible not only for yourself and your air crew, but you’re also responsible for the community that you’re flying the aircraft over.” ...Prosecutor Joseph Hoffmann of the Placer County District Attorney’s Office said Downie twice pointed the laser at the Sheriff’s helicopter on July 16, leading to the two felony counts being filed against him. Bogardus told the court that someone in Downie’s neighborhood had pointed a laser at his copter two weeks before the July 16 incident. The sergeant said he was on a routine patrol over Rocklin when a laser beam was shone into the cockpit, striking him and his partner in the eyes. ...While Downie didn’t admit to using the laser in the first incident, he acknowledged that he heard Bogardus’ warning over the P.A. system, the sergeant told the court. When asked why he would shine a laser at an aircraft if he’d already been warned it was a federal crime, Downie answered that “it was reckless and stupid” and that he shouldn’t have done it, Bogardus said.

US: 366 days in prison for interfering with patrol helicopter

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-09-28T10:11:25-07:00

In determining that a sentence of one year and one day was appropriate, Judge Mendez noted Nighswander’s near lifetime drug addiction and Nighswander’s significant steps in battling and overcoming that addiction following his arrest, as well as his prompt and continuing acknowledgment that his actions were dangerous and stupid. Nighswander is expected to begin serving his sentence in December 2010. This case is the product of a joint investigation by the California Highway Patrol, the Federal Air Marshals and the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew D. Segal prosecuted the case. From a U.S. Department of Justice press release

US: Grand jury indicts man for hitting patrol plane

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-10-21T10:04:27-07:00

SACRAMENTO, CA—United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced today that a federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment charging Samuel Gregory Liebman, 51, of Roseville California, with interference with an aircraft for pointing a laser at a California Highway Patrol plane. The indictment alleges that on August 30, 2010, Liebman struck a CHP Cessna 206 multiple times with a powerful green laser while it was flying . This case is the product of a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the California Highway Patrol, and Federal Air Marshals with the Joint Terrorism Task Force. ... Hobler is prosecuting the case. If convicted, Liebman faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

US: 15 months in prison for 19-year-old

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-10-25T14:48:10-07:00

A 19-year-old man was sentenced to 15 months in U.S. federal prison, for illuminating a California Highway Patrol helicopter with a green laser beam. ...The June 3 2009 incident caused the helicopter pilots to be “momentarily blinded” and to change course -- breaking off from assisting police in a burglary investigation. ... During an interview with FBI agents in January 2010, "the defendant admitted that he pointed a green laser at the helicopter, which he knew was a police helicopter," according to the plea agreement, which says "he acted with reckless disregard for the safety of human life." In July 2010, Wells pled guilty to the felony of willfully interfering with an operator of an aircraft. ...Note: Sources differ on Wells’ age at sentencing; some say he was 19, others say he was 20. Sources also differ on the maximum penalty possible for interference with an operator of an aircraft; some say 3.5 years is the maximum, others say 20 years. And, sources differ on the date of the guilty plea; some say July 2010, others say September 2010.

New Zealand: Youths suspected of lasering cars die trying to escape police

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-09-18T05:34:51-07:00

New Zealand police, responding to a report of a person shining a red laser beam onto motorists, saw a vehicle speed off. The police gave chase with lights and siren. Although the police ended the chase quickly, the car continued speeding, crashed into a power pole, and flipped over to land on its roof. Two 20-year-olds died in the crash, two other passengers were hospitalized, and the 20-year-old driver fled the scene on foot. The incident took place in the Auckland suburb of Onehunga late on Friday September 17. From the New Zealand police report and the New Zealand Herald

UK: Two men fined £400 after hitting helicopter

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-09-15T14:38:05-07:00

Two young men were arrested September 1 in Cambridge for aiming a laser pen at a police helicopter. On September 14 they were found guilty of “directing or shining a light at an aircraft in flight so as to dazzle or distract the pilot”. They were fined £150 each, plus £85 in court costs and a £15 “victim surcharge”. ...22-year-old Shane Ramsay and 20-year-old Darryl Hodgkinson said they bought the green pointer for £20 and aimed it at the police helicopter “for a laugh”. Their attorney said the two men “had no idea what they did could potentially endanger the pilot’s eyesight.” A local police sergeant was quoted as saying “This his kind of stupidity is increasing in the aviation world. It is reckless and foolhardy and those who do so will be arrested and brought before the courts.”

Switzerland: Boy injures self with 150 mW pointer

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-09-09T06:15:05-07:00

A 15-year-old Swiss boy severely damaged his vision after aiming the beam from a 150 mW green laser pointer into his eyes multiple times to “create a ‘laser show’”. ...An examination two weeks later showed injuries to both retinas. There was severe vision loss in the left eye and 20/50 vision in the right. His left eye was injected with ranibizumab which helped improve vision to 20/25 after four weeks. The right eye improved on its own to 20/32. The left eye clearly shows damage from a self-inflicted exposure to a 150 mW green laser pointer. The report appeared in a letter published September 9 2010 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

UK doctors: Laser pointer damages youth's eyes

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-06-09T05:36:46-07:00

In their letter to the British Medical Journal, published June 8 2010, the physicians described the potential for harm: “Retinal injuries from lasers can result from ablative, thermal, or photochemical mechanisms depending on power, wavelength, exposure time, and size of pupil. Although they may cause only a transient afterimage, they may disturb the retina and choroid and induce ‘idiopathic’ choroidal neovascularisation with visual loss in later years.” The letter goes on to state that the UK Health Protection Agency “has received no previous reports of such injury from laser pointers.” However, in a follow-up letter in the June 13 issue, a physician reports being injured by a laser pointer (ironically a gift from a pharmaceutical company). A scotoma appeared four days later, and his vision took months to recover. From the British Medical Journal, 8 June 2010. ...BBC story based on the initial Journal report.

US: Laser institute warns against powerful new Class 4 portable lasers

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-08-30T08:22:30-07:00

As new lower-cost laser technology becomes more readily available to consumers, laser safety experts at the Laser Institute of America (LIA) are concerned for the public’s safety. Recently released to the public and promoted as the world’s first 445 nm direct blue diode portable laser with output powers of up to 1 Watt, an internet retailer is selling this Class 4 laser product for under $300. “Our concerns are for the consumers, uninformed of the hazards, who may operate the device placing themselves and others at risk of injury,” stated Peter Baker, LIA’s executive director. Class 4 lasers emit enough energy to be hazardous to the eye or skin from a direct beam, or indirectly reflected laser light. ... It is also important to note that laser illumination of any aircraft will be investigated by law enforcement and anyone caught illuminating aircraft will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. ...However, consumers who buy Class 4 lasers, or organizations that have not implemented a laser safety program may not be aware of the hazards or the proper methods used to contain and control the hazards. ...“We urgently recommend not purchasing this or any other Class 4 laser device until you have had proper laser safety training and understand what is involved in securing what will be a Class 4 laser environment.”

Canada: 2010 laser/aircraft incidents almost double 2009

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-08-18T11:01:39-07:00

Laser/aircraft incidents are on the rise, according to Transport Canada. There have been 101 incidents in the country through mid-August 2010. This compares with 108 incidents in all of 2009, and only three reports in 2005. Transport Canada also released figures on incidents in Alberta, after an Aug. 16 arrest in Calgary. So far in 2010, there have been 11 reports of laser beams aimed at or hitting aircraft, compared with nine in all of 2009. From the Calgary Herald

Canada: Arrest in Calgary helicopter incident

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-08-17T08:31:23-07:00

34-year-old Jason John McConnell of Calgary was arrested Aug. 16 for hitting a police helicopter multiple times with a “high-powered laser”. ... He is also faces federal charges of projecting a bright light source at an aircraft, and lessening an aircraft crew’s ability to perform its duties. The Calgary Police Service’s Helicopter Air Watch for Community Safety (HAWC), was on patrol when hit at 10:45 pm. The crew then put on protective glasses and began a 30-minute search during which they were hit two more times. ...Police tracked the beam to McConnell’s home about 10 km (6 mi) away, arrested him and seized what they describe as a “high-powered laser”. McConnell claimed it was an accident: “I was playing with it inside the house and it hit a mirror. ...After the incident, the helicopter crew was grounded pending the results of eye tests to determine whether their vision was damaged.

US: Danger of infrared light from some green laser pointers

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-08-03T05:28:30-07:00

Some green laser pointers may be emitting dangerous levels of invisible infrared light, in addition to the visible green light, according to a U.S. government agency. The National Institute of Standards and Technology purchased three low-cost 10 mW pointers and found that “one unit emitted dim green light but delivered infrared levels of nearly 20 mW -- powerful enough to cause retinal damage”. ...The test requires a digital or cellphone camera, a compact disc used to spread out the wavelengths, a webcam to view infrared light, and an infrared TV remote control. At top, light from a green laser pointer is diffracted (spread out) by a compact disc and viewed with a digital camera that can see only visible light. ...The unwanted and potentially hazardous infrared light is due to misaligned or missing filters in laser pointers that use infrared to generate visible green light. ...The team warns that, whether or not a laser pointer emits dangerous levels of infrared, users should “never point the lasers at the eyes or aim them at surfaces such as windows which can reflect infrared light [as well as visible light] back to the user” or others in the area. ... • NIST technical note A Green Laser Pointer Hazard which includes instructions on how to test to see if a green laser pointer has unwanted or excess infrared light emission (PDF format)

US: 2 men face federal charges for multiple incidents

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-07-20T06:03:10-07:00

Coast Guard earlier in July that they were “being targeted by extremely bright green laser beams”. On July 16, FedEx pilots said they were hit by laser beams. On July 17, two police officers investigating the area said green lasers were pointed at their chests and heads. ... A short time later, lasers were shined at a police helicopter from an apartment rooftop. The helicopter directed other officers to the location, where the three suspects were arrested. Erminger and Mauck were released on bond, must wear electronic monitors, and must “avoid alcohol, drugs and lasers.” The third suspect, Todd Michael Manz, 43, remains in jail with a hearing scheduled for July 22.

US: Police considering laser dazzlers to "blind" suspects

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-07-22T05:40:39-07:00

There are two models; the Defender is gun-shaped while the Guardian looks like a flashlight or large laser pointer. ... The Dazer Laser requires a security code for activation. The company’s slogan is “Saving Lives - One Daze at a Time”. Story on marketing to Northwest U.S. police departments from KING TV in Seattle Dazer Laser webpage at the manufacturer’s website Dazer Laser technical specs (250mW, 532nm green, 12 Hz rep rate, 50% duty cycle) and eye safety information is on the Laser Energetics eye safety test webpage A YouTube video from the manufacturer, showing how it can be used by a SWAT team

US: Lasers "out of control" in Ocean City

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-07-22T05:25:05-07:00

A clerk was arrested June 12 for shining a laser pointer onto a person outside the store. Elisabeth Mesfin was arrested and charged with prohibited use of a laser. A clerk in another store was quoted as saying laser pointers were a fad: “You cannot stop it. Everything is popular for a couple of weeks, then they gonna shut it down.” The police chief, DiPino, said there was a similar spate of incidents in 1998 leading to an Ocean City ordinance banning any harassing or annoying shining of laser pointers on a person. But the “next season, they just went away” because they weren’t cool anymore. From the DelMarVa Daily Times

Worldwide: Warning from Casio about misuse of its laser diodes

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-06-25T14:43:27-07:00

More on the lasers is here and here; more on the modification is here (look for the section on “sawed-off lasers and harvesting”). ...(“Casio”) has recently learned that potentially dangerous handheld laser pointer devices are being marketed and sold by Wicked Lasers, Ltd. (and possibly others) that are believed to incorporate laser diodes improperly removed from Casio XJ-A series projectors. Casio has never authorized this unintended and potentially dangerous misuse of the light source component of its XJ-A series Projectors. Casio specifically instructs and warns purchasers of its XJ-A series projectors that disassembly or modification of the built-in laser module is “very dangerous and should never be attempted,” and would like to take this opportunity to remind the laser enthusiast community of that fact. The unauthorized, unintended and potentially dangerous misuse of the laser diodes improperly removed from Casio XJ-A series projectors for use in these handheld lasers, such as Wicked Lasers’ SPYDER III, may create a substantial risk of fire and injury to users and others. Casio intends to pursue Wicked Lasers and any other companies that violate Casio’s rights by misusing components of its XJ-A projectors or other products to the fullest extent of the law. At the same time, Casio strongly urges consumers to avoid these unauthorized and potentially dangerous “laser pointers” such as the SPYDER III.

US: FBI to use laser event recorders in cockpits

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-06-15T05:05:33-07:00

Navy due to the concern the Navy had about pilot eye safety due to the high number of laser incidences being seen in combat conditions overseas. The LER device collects diffracted images and processes them in real-time by an onboard embedded controller to extract the laser event information, which is then time-tagged with GPS information and saved to a removable flash disk. The system also provides real-time onboard visual warning of both the presence of laser radiation and whether it is at levels that can potentially damage the eye. OPTRA is a supplier of ultra precision measurement solutions using state-of-the-art electro-optical technology. OPTRA markets the NanoGrid®, NanoScale®, and NanoGage® nanometer resolution grid and linear encoder products to the semiconductor, disk drive, and general research industries. OPTRA has a long history of IR system development and is the sole supplier of IR spectrometer modules to the JSLSCAD program, a field rated chemical agent detection system. OPTRA also provides laser beam steering technology for use in optical communication, laser micro-machining, laser trepanning and collision avoidance.

US: Man sentenced to 2 years for lasing helicopter

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-05-25T18:30:02-07:00

Clint Jason Brenner, 36, was sentenced to two years in prison for hitting an Arizona police helicopter with a green laser pointer. On Dec. 9 2009, the helicopter was searching for a burglary suspect when “green laser light struck its windshield, causing glare that blinded the pilot for an instant.” Because “the light put the pilot and crew member in danger”, in April 2010 a jury found Brenner guilty of two counts of endangerment, which is a felony. On May 24, a judge sentenced Brenner to two years on each count, with the two 2-year terms to run concurrently. In addition, Brenner was ordered to pay $500 in court-related costs. From the Prescott, Arizona Daily Courier

Worldwide: Dangerous 1 watt laser on sale for only $200

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-06-09T12:31:30-07:00

In the opinion of LaserPointerSafety.com, any Class 4 handheld laser like the Spyder III has no justifiable consumer purpose and should be banned or severely restricted. Details about the laser’s safety hazard, why it should be banned, and some of the difficultly in doing so on the June 2010 Alert page. ...They wanted to make one thing very clear: this is not merely a laser pointer, and it's certainly not a toy. What it is, really, is a weapon.... just writing this post has left me terrified enough to stay as far away from these things as possible... until our review unit gets here.” ...As if laser pointers weren’t aggravating enough for airplanes, cats and movie theaters, now you can permanently blind and scar your friends with one, too. ...I mean, I get that people like to experiment with lasers, but I also see that these could be used to cause instant irreparable damage to another person if held in the wrong hands.” From Dvice, in a post entitled With Spyder III, the laser pointer just got deadly: “I’m honestly a little scared that the Wicked Lasers Spyder III exists....

Thailand: Protester killed after aiming laser pointer at troops

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-05-15T11:22:59-07:00

An anti-government protester in Bangkok was shot and killed after shining a laser pointer at government troops. An eyewitness said “The man was two yards in front of me and took out a laser pointer and started beaming it at the soldiers. ...Commentary from LaserPointerSafety.com: The soldier(s) most likely fired either due to the laser pointer provocation, or due to fearing that a weapon with a laser gunsight was being used. The laser pointer light could not harm the troops except possibly at close range if shone into the eyes. Of course, in a protest/street battle situation, soldiers are not going to know or care about the eye safety characteristics of laser pointers. This is reminiscent of a 2005 case in Florida, where a man aimed a laser pointer at deputies and was shot and killed. It is unfortunate but understandable that those with weapons who are having a laser aimed at them may “shoot first and ask questions later.”

US: Multiple laser incidents at New York airports

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-04-19T19:07:15-07:00

WABC is reporting that three aircraft at JFK International Airport had laser incidents in the last three days (since April 17). They also report an incident at nearby LaGuardia Airport yesterday (April 18). ...According to WABC, on Saturday April 17, a JetBlue flight originating in Portland, Maine was landing at JFK “when suddenly the pilots were distracted by an intensely bright green laser”. According to tower transcripts, the pilot said the laser was “directly pointing right at us. I saw the flash to the left looked, looked out left as I was landing. Put my head down, put up the sun screen.” ... Although the pilot initially looked towards the light, the pilot then took steps to reduce the light’s effect.]

US: Orlando man faces felony charges

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-04-14T15:53:39-07:00

42-year-old Frank Newton Anderson was arrested on Tuesday, April 13 for pointing a laser at an Orange County (FL) sheriff’s helicopter. Anderson faces felony charges and as of April 14 remains in jail on no bond. ...Spotter Patrick Deans, in the back of the helicopter, said “it was like a green flash right in front of my face, startling.” ... When ground units directed by the helicopter confronted him, Anderson said the laser (found 100 feet from his vehicle) was not his. ...Anderson appears to be the owner of a Winter Park, Florida security company, Viking Protective Group. When arrested, he was wearing a shirt with “Security” printed on it, and in his vehicle were handcuffs, a mask, camouflage paint, knives, and a Glock gun. ...WFTV reporter Kathi Belich, in reporting the story, said “I hate to use a bad pun, but on so many levels he’s not too bright.”

US: NJ man arrested in helicopter incident

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-04-13T21:48:15-07:00

A 32-year-old man was arrested for repeatedly flashing a green laser at a National Guard helicopter that was patrolling Camden, New Jersey. Nelson Villalobos Jr. was charged with Interference with Transportation in the April 8 incident. According to CBS 3, the pilot was “blinded” which caused “difficulty in flying the air craft.” Police on the ground located Villalobos, who admitted to flashing the helicopter. He “thought it had been a news helicopter.” From CBS 3

US: Arrest for pointing laser and flashlight at police helicopter

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-03-16T20:27:14-07:00

A 47-year-old Springfield, Virginia man was charged with pointing a laser and a flashlight at a police helicopter. The incident happened on February 12, when helicopter crew members searching for a suspect in an unrelated case had their vision “blocked” by a green laser and a white light. Police located the house where the lights were coming from. On March 4 they arrested Raymond Jeffrey Poli. He was charged on March 16 with interfering with the operation of an aircraft, endangering life, and obstruction of justice. From MyFoxDC.com

Xoraxia: Laser pointer hits planet

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-03-17T08:55:02-07:00

Even humor publication “The Onion” has noted how annoying laser pointer misuse can be. In a March 15 2010 story, they describe how a laser pointer aimed skyward from Earth in 1997 is now annoying a planet 13 light years away. They also describe the ultimate revenge: “At press time, irritated Xoraxian military personnel were hard at work building a giant megalaser designed to incinerate the source planet of the irritation.” From The Onion

US: Teen arrested for "shooing" helicopter with laser pointer

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-12-18T03:40:58-08:00

An 18-year-old tried to “shoo away” a Sheriff’s Office helicopter with a 6-inch-long “high powered” laser pointer, because the noise was keeping him awake. Deputies soon arrived at Beau Richard Wallace’s home in Palm Harbor, Florida. They arrested him on a felony charge of misusing a laser lighting device, which is punishable by up to five years in prison. Wallace said he was “just being stupid” and that he had owned the laser pointer for only a week before the Dec. 17 incident. From the St. Petersburg Times

Canada: Man stabbed trying to stop laser pointer at movie

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-11-12T03:27:21-08:00

22-year-old Zachary Ebel described in court how he was punched and stabbed at an Ottawa cinema, after complaining about a laser pointer being used to disrupt the movie. ...Ebel said his attackers were part of the same group of young men who had been disrupting the movie which he and his friends had gone to see. One member of the group had been waving a laser pointer at the screen, Ebel said. “I asked them ‘who has the laser pointer, come on guys,’” said Ebel. “It was at that point someone stood up and asked me if I had a problem. ...After the movie, one of the group asked him to go outside. ... He was stabbed three times after tackling two of six men who were kicking his best friend as he lay curled in the fetal position on the floor.

Czech Republic: Pilots call for laser pointer law

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-02-04T03:21:21-08:00

The Czech Airline Pilots Association has called on parliament to enact a law making it illegal to use laser pointers to blind pilots. The group says at least seven passenger planes were targeted by laser pointers last year at Prague's international airport as they were landing or taking off. Pilots representative Karel Mundel said on Feb. 3 that such attacks pose a serious security risk because it could cause flash blindness and threaten pilots' ability to control planes or seriously damage their eyes. The pilots said Czech authorities should enact a law against laser misuse like other countries, including Britain, Germany and the US. From the Sydney Morning Herald via AAP

Canada: "Lasergate" at hockey match

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-01-12T03:01:33-08:00

Two days later, Barry Trotz, coach of the next team to play the Vancouver Canucks, “called the laser show ‘brutal’ and threatened to pull his club off the ice if a similar incident happened again.” Laser pointers are “strictly prohibited” at the arena. “Our security staff will confiscate the batteries and/or any laser pointer brought into our venue. Any fan attempting to bring a laser pointer into Air Canada Centre may also face ejection from the building.” From the Toronto Star and National Post

US: Arrest for hitting Orlando sheriff's helicopter

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2010-01-28T11:26:15-08:00

A 19-year-old man was arrested in a tourist area of Orlando, for shining a laser at an Orange County (FL) sheriff’s helicopter. ...It happened early in the morning of January 28, near International Drive and Interstate 4. The pilot was forced to break away from a law enforcement call, to avoid the “potentially blinding light”. An observer in the helicopter was able to track the laser to a car traveling on I-4. Other law enforcement officers stopped the car and arrested the unidentified man. News reports state “this is the fourth case of this type of crime in recent months. Last month [Dec. 2009] the Direct TV blimp was lasered on its final approach to Orlando Executive Airport after covering the Champs Bowl game in Orlando.”

UK: Youths sentenced for train attack

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2003-06-20T18:46:06-07:00

Prosecutor David Webster said: "The pair were on the platform and both of them had a laser pointing device similar in appearance to a cigarette lighter. ... (Driver) Mr Jonah was slowing down to enter the station when suddenly a red light hit his eyes. ...Passengers on the Swansea to Paddington First Great Western service and a Crewe to Cardiff Wales and Borders service had to be transferred to other trains. The pair were arrested at the station but told police they were "just messing about" with the lasers which they had bought from a market stall. The laser lights were identified by experts as "dangerous" if shone into people's eyes at a distance of less than 25 metres. Judge Roderick Denyer QC called for tighter controls on the sale of lasers after hearing they do not carry proper safety warnings. He said: "The expert says these device should not be freely available to members of the public and individuals like you should not have access to these lasers.

UK: Up to 5 years in jail; bus and tennis incidents cited

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2007-11-10T21:12:01-08:00

Pressing a button releases a thin but powerful laser beam with a range of up to 200ft (61m). The pens are intended as a replacement for the old-fashioned pointing sticks used by lecturers. ...When shone directly into the eyes, the effect is temporary blindness or even more permanent eye damage. Dr Ajoy Kar, a physicist from Heriott-Watt University who specialises in lasers, has tested those on sale in Britain - some for as little as £15. ..."A laser pen is a hundred million times brighter than a television screen, it's like staring at the sun," he said. Trading standards officers have been told to remove from sale laser pens which do not meet safety standards but there is to be no complete ban. The Home Office says people who use lasers as weapons or intend to cause injury can already be imprisoned.

UK: 4 months jail; pilot turned controls over to co-pilot

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-01-05T09:18:22-08:00

A 19-year-old man who shone a laser pen into an aircraft, temporarily blinding the pilot, has been sent to a young offenders' institution for four months. Ben Philip Vout targeted a KLM flight coming in to land with 40 passengers at Durham Tees Valley Airport in northeast England, in August 2008. He also shone the device at a police helicopter sent to investigate. Vout, 19, and from Heslop Street in Thornaby had earlier pleaded guilty to two charges of endangering the safety of an aircraft. Teesside Crown Court was told that the KLM flight had to be landed by the co-pilot. From BBC News

UK: 10 month jail sentence after laser hits plane

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-05-28T10:26:43-07:00

21-year-old Hossein Hosseiny was sentenced to 4 months in jail for endangering the safety of an aircraft by shining a laser into the cockpit of a landing airplane. In addition, he received another 6 months for supplying drugs that had been found by officers tracking down the laser pointer misuse. Hosseiny, originally from Afghanistan, was in the UK after seeking asylum in 2002. As a result of his laser assault and subsequent convictions, he was served with a deportation notice. In the March 2009 incident, the airplane pilot said he had a "momentary loss of concentration" due to a "dazzling green light" as the plane was landing at Cardiff (Wales) airport. The trial judge stated that "The consequences of such an action could have been catastrophic. Fortunately there was no catastrophe and the aircraft landed safety."

Italy: €15000 fine for laser in goalkeeper's eyes

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-11-03T11:19:27-08:00

Serie A football club Napoli have been fined €15,000 (about $22,000 USD) after their supporters shone a laser into the eyes of AC Milan goalkeeper Dida during a game on 28 October 2009. From FourFourTwo.com

US: Police shoot man aiming laser gunsight at them

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-10-30T20:29:14-07:00

In Reno, Nevada, police officers shot and critically injured a man who aimed a replica pistol's laser beam at them. Officers responded to a report of a suicidal man with a gun. They ordered 44-year-old Charles James Bishop to drop the realistic-looking pistol. When he raised it towards them and the laser moved towards the officers, they fired. More details from RGJ.com

US: 2.5 years in prison for Calif. man

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-11-03T19:17:57-08:00

Welch had been found guilty in April 2009 of aiming a hand-held laser at a United Airlines jet carrying more than 180 people, and at an Alaska Airlines plane with more than 80 people on board, as they came in for landing at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, Calif., on May 21, 2008, The Orange County Register reported. The federal jury acquitted Welch of charges he tried to interfere with the pilots of a helicopter and a Delta Air Lines flight, the Register said. There have been several defendants who have pleaded guilty to federal charges of pointing lasers at airplanes, but Welch was the first in the United States to be convicted of interfering with pilots with laser beams, the U.S. attorney's office said. ...City News Service added additional details: The laser beam struck a United pilot in the eye, causing "flash blindness," Garnett said. When Welch pointed the laser at the Alaska plane, one pilot ducked under a glare shield and the other pilot delayed a critical turn necessary to land the plane. From NBC Los Angeles

Canada: Pilot suffers retinal damage; off work for months

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-11-02T19:51:31-08:00

In early September 2009, an air ambulance pilot was illuminated by a laser while transferring a patient to an Ottawa hospital. A news report in early November said that he "suffered retinal damage ... is still off work nearly two months later .... [and] could remain off work for another three months." It was not clear from the story what type of aircraft -- fixed wing or helicopter -- the pilot was flying at the time. Captain Barry Wiszniowski of the Air Canada Pilots Association, stated "Our judicial system has to understand the severity of the consequences. It would be catastrophic if a pilot was impaired by a laser and lost all situational awareness." More statistics and information from Canadian OH&S News.

UK: Teenager apologizes to helicopter crew

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-10-26T10:16:08-07:00

A 17-year-old from South East Wales who shined a laser pointer at a police helicopter in July 2009, has apologized in person to the crew. The youth, identified only as "Dennis" visited the crew as part of a "restorative justice programme" to show the implications of his actions. The pilot was quoted as saying "Dennis has learned how dangerous this type of incident can be, and I hope that others will understand the same lesson." Full story, with photo of the meeting, from BBC News

UK: 63-year-old arrested for aiming flashlight (torch)

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-10-17T22:20:00-07:00

Torben Merriott, 63, was arrested for shining a flashlight (torch) at an RAF Apache helicopter, after being awakened at 1 am by two gunships which were on a military exercise. ...Merriott said the gunships sounded like an "earthquake" and were "10 feet above my garden" in his farmhouse near Eye, Suffolk. News reports said he used the flashlight to identify the aircraft, during the September 18 2009 incident. ...Merriott owns a theatrical lighting firm that has lit flying helicopters at a Buckingham Palace event. He insists he did not put the aircraft at risk: "Don't tell the Taliban that all they need is an eight-quid torch to bring down multi-million-pound high-tech gunships." ..."I cannot help feeling that to keep me locked up for nine hours is pretty vindictive, when I was happy to make a statement. It was heavy handed and I think they were trying to teach me a lesson."

Canada: Calgary man fined $1000

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2008-07-07T13:03:53-07:00

A Calgary man charged with endangering a flight by shining a laser beam into the cockpit of an Air Canada flight has been fined $1,000. David Mackow, 29, who pleaded guilty to the federal charge, was sentenced on Monday and ordered to pay the fine within 30 days or face jail time. He also has to forfeit his laser pointer. In October 2007, Mackow shone the pointer, commonly used in boardroom presentations, from his Beltline apartment at the flight that was landing in Calgary. The pilot reported the incident and Calgary police dispatched its HAWCS helicopter to investigate. Mackow then pointed the green beam into the helicopter. More details are available from CBC News

Canada: List of many Canadian incidents

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-06-14T22:18:00-07:00

A story in the Vancouver Sun by Lori Culbert lists many Canadian incidents in recent years (2005-2009). ... • A Cessna pilot flying over downtown Vancouver on May 25 2009, who had "flash blindness for a few seconds" ... • A Cessna pilot in June 2008 who "experienced slight vision impairment, and for safety reasons requested a wide left-hand 270-degree turn ... for brightness recovery and a stabilized approach". • A helicopter co-pilot in November 2007 who looked at a laser and "was experiencing sun spots [sic] in her vision, which continued for the remainder of the flight." • At least three incidents, two in June and one in November 2008, where Royal Canadian Mounted Police pilots were targeted. • In July 2008, a Calgary man was fined $1000 after pleading guilty to shining a laser at an Air Canada flight. ...Culbert's story also lists the first attack LaserPointerSafety.com is aware of on a blimp: "A green light was pointed into the cockpit of a blimp over Victoria's [B.C.] shoreline in October 2005.

Canada: Five "hits" on Toronto approach

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-03-03T21:25:51-08:00

An Air Canada Airbus 320, was hit by five laser flashes as it approached Toronto Pearson International Airport. CTV Toronto reported that "[t]his is estimated to be the sixth such incident in Toronto in the past year. About a dozen have occurred in Ontario, and more than 30 across Canada." More details from CTV.ca

Australia: Tasmania proposes laser pointer ban

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-10-13T09:56:59-07:00

The Tasmanian state government introduced legislation to ban unlawful possession of laser pointers in public places. The move was a result of "a number of incidents" where high-powered pointers had been used to target aircraft. The amendment to the Police Offenders Act would make it illegal to intentionally direct a laser beam at any person, animal, vehicle or aircraft. "The proposed offenses related to all laser pointers but did not include their use by surveyors, astronomers, medical professionals and those in the construction and mining industries." More details are available from The Examiner

Germany: Laser pointer attacks increase

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-10-09T11:14:01-07:00

“It’s like a lightning strike,” pilots’ union Cockpit spokesperson Jörg Handwerg said, explaining that at nighttime people's pupils are dilated, and a sudden flash of targeted light can be blinding and deadly. Landing is the most delicate operation of a flight, Handwerg said, adding that pilots are in a “phase of highest concentration” during which any distraction could cause an accident. When someone shines a laser into the cockpit at this time, many pilots are forced to abort their landing attempt and re-approach the runway, he said. Interfering with train, ship or air traffic with a laser is a crime that carries a sentence of up to 10 years in Germany. It’s not a new phenomenon – officials in the US and Australia have also reported an increasing number of cases in the last two decades. The increase has likely occurred because laser pointers are cheaper and easier to acquire than ever before. Because catching a laser attacker in the act is difficult, Handwerg suggested that government officials institute regulations similar to those for “other weapons,” because “when aimed at people this is definitely a weapon” he said.

UK: Laser beam air attacks on rise

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-10-13T10:24:21-07:00

BBC News has a 2 minute video that provides a good overview of "laser air attacks" in the U.K. There is footage of lasers hitting a helicopter during a police exercise (starting at 0:44), plus a brief look at a teen who was jailed for illuminating an aircraft. ... • Pilot Kevin Medlock: "It's so brilliant, it takes away part of your vision for a few minutes at least. ... The consequences of someone shining a laser in my eyes at that stage of flight isn't worth bearing the consequences." ... • "What's worring experts is the rate at which the problem is growing:" 29 U.K. attacks in 2007, 206 attacks in 2008, and 461 in 2009 (through September). • (video of teen walking into court) "This man said he was trying to see how far his laser could reach. ...When the video is over, there are additional links to BBC News videos of laser pointer incidents.

US: Columbus man aims gun, laser at 2 helicopters

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-09-21T02:25:12-07:00

A 22-year-old Columbus (Ohio) area man was arrested and charged with a felony, after shining a laser gunsight onto a medical helicopter and then an investigating police helicopter. Officers on the ground found Jared T. Shapiro with the laser, attached to a high-powered rifle. More details at WBNS 10TV

US: 2 Columbus men charged with felonies

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-09-15T08:12:33-07:00

Two men were arrested and charged with felonies, accused of aiming a laser pointer at a commercial airplane as it approached Port Columbus (Ohio) International Airport on September 14. They also are accused of pointing the laser at a Columbus police helicopter. Dennis Smoke, 45, was arrested with Levi Milstead, 19. Each is charged with two counts of pointing a laser at an aircraft and one count each possession of criminal tools. Conviction carries a maximum penalty of eight years in prison and a $15,000 fine. More details from The Columbus Dispatch

US: Apparent copycat laser incident in Buffalo

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-09-19T10:17:01-07:00

For the second night in a row, someone shined a bright laser into the cockpit of Erie County (NY) sheriff's helicopter. The suspects appeared to be "copycatting" an incident the night before, when three Buffalo area men were arrested and charged with felonies. The second-night suspects were not found, as of the following day. More at WIVB.com and the last two paragraphs of this Buffalo News story.

US: 3 men charged with felony in Buffalo

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-09-18T12:42:02-07:00

Three men from the Buffalo, New York area face felony criminal charges after pointing a green laser at a FedEx airplane and at a local sheriff's helicopter. The helicopter was used to locate the men, Timothy J. Voigt (42), his son Eric Voigt (20) and Bradley J. Campbell (28), who all face multiple counts of felony reckless endangerment. Local officials said the crime "is being reviewed by the FAA and the FBI, with the possibility of additional federal charges." The helicopter pilot was quoted as saying that if you shine laser pointers at pilots, "there's a good chance you're going to wind up in jail. At the worst, you could bring down an aircraft and kill a lot of people."

Netherlands: Pilots call for criminal penalties

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-08-17T10:35:24-07:00

The Dutch pilots' association VNV wants it made a criminal offense to shine a laser beam in a pilot's face. ...The VNV says pilots at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport are increasingly being harassed by people on the ground shining laser beams into their cockpits. Several dozen incidents have been reported to the border police, air traffic control and the VNV. The police have recently been patrolling the area around Schiphol more often on the lookout for people with laser pointers. ...The pilots' association says the problem has actually existed for about ten years but nobody has ever been arrested. ...The VNV now gives special advice to pilots about laser beams and how to respond to light shining in their faces during landing. A powerful laser light is visible in an airliner's cockpit from 1200 meters off the ground.

US: Major laser seller adds aircraft warning

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-08-31T16:16:27-07:00

LaserPointerSafety.com is pleased to note that a major Internet laser distributor is adding text to their labels, warning against shining the laser at aircraft. ...They have a significant presence on the Internet, marketing a wide range of lasers for pointing, burning/cutting, and general purpose uses. Earlier in 2009, Wicked began a major push to ensure compliance with U.S. federal laws for laser products. To their credit, Wicked went beyond current U.S. requirements and also added the warning text about aircraft. Since LaserPointerSafety.com was founded one year ago, we have urged sellers, distributors and manufacturers to add such labels -- in all countries, not just for U.S. lasers. It is unclear whether Wicked Laser’s new aircraft warning text will be on all their lasers, or just U.S. models. ...It is the right thing to do, the moral thing to do ... and the smart thing to do, in order to help keep handheld lasers legal in the U.S. and elsewhere.

Australia: National ban on high-powered laser pointers

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2008-06-14T09:12:48-07:00

In April this year, an Adelaide man became one of the first people in Australia to be successfully prosecuted for shining a laser at an aircraft. ...“These types of gutless and cowardly attacks have to be stopped, that’s why we will act quickly to make these types of laser pointers a prohibited weapon,” Mr Holloway says. ... • 7 June 2008: A teenager is questioned in relation to the use of a high-powered laser beam being pointed at planes in Sydney. ... • 20 March 2008: A pilot is forced to take evasive action after being hit several times by a green laser beam while flying over Joondanna, Western Australia. • 28 March 2008: Six aircraft flying into Sydney Airport are hit in a co-ordinated attack by blinding green lights in what safety officials say is the city's worst laser attack. ...The proposed amendments will allow exemptions for legitimate bodies and organisations that require these high-powered laser pointers such as surveyors, scientists, engineers and astronomers. ...The changes will build on the Federal Government’s ban from 1 July on the importation of high-intensity laser pointers announced last month by Minister for Home Affairs Bob Debus.

Australia: Pointers to be banned in the ACT

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2008-06-11T09:01:52-07:00

"The increasing number of incidents involving people using these items to target aircraft and vehicles creates a significant risk to the community and cannot be ignored," he said. In the last 12 months, there have been seven reported instances of lasers being used to target aircraft in the ACT alone. “Laser pointers are dangerous when misused in this fashion, as they distract pilots and may even cause eye damage," Corbell said. The Federal Minister for Home Affairs, Bob Debus, has announced that from July 1 this year anyone seeking to import powerful laser pointers will be required to have an appropriate exemption. ...A national approach to the prohibition of high-powered laser pointers will be discussed during a national Police Ministers meeting Friday in Sydney. “The Firearms Amendment Bill 2008 will increase the maximum penalty for the possession or use of a prohibited weapon to five years imprisonment and/or a $50,000 fine, and is due to be debated during the next sitting of the ACT Legislative Assembly on June 17 to 26,” Corbell said. The ban of high-powered laser pointers will come into place immediately after passage of a firearms amendment bill, the agency said.

New York Times: Taking on "laser lunatics"

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2008-04-21T07:52:07-07:00

In a New York Times blog called “The Lede”, Mike Nizza gives an overview of laser incidents and proposed laws. ...And now handheld laser pointers have earned a place alongside guns in Australia’s most populous state. A new law proposed today by the premier of New South Wales declares possession of the handheld lasers a serious crime, punishable by up to 14 years in prison, depending on the device’s power. Weaker lasers could carry a $5,000 fine or 2 years in jail, and there would be exemptions only for teachers, construction crews and the scientists who point out the stars on planetarium ceilings. ...This all may sound vaguely familiar: the United States went through a similar fit in 2005. Then, the Federal Aviation Administration reported an astounding 287 cases of cockpits hit with laser beams, and the House of Representatives proposed a law against pointing the devices at planes , with fines up to $250,000 and prison terms up to five years. The full blog post is at the New York Times

Australia: Ban on laser pointers?

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2008-04-22T08:41:07-07:00

Amateru astronomers, teachers and surveyors will have to justify carrying lasers under new bans aimed at avoiding "mass murder" if aircraft are targeted. New South Wales’ Premier, Morris Iemma, warned that all high-powered lasers would soon be classified as prohibited weapons and carrying any kind of laser - even harmless classroom pointers - without a good reason could result in two years' jail or a $5000 fine. Critics said the new laws were impractical and accused the Government of failing to back its tough talk with resources for enforcement. Lasers have become a serious problem for aircraft in Sydney. In the most recent incident, a beam was pointed at an ambulance helicopter at the weekend. Mr Iemma said banning hand-held lasers would "stop the potential for mass murder. I cannot underestimate the … catastrophic consequences if a plane is brought down by one of these fools, these idiots, these reckless individuals who want to use these high-powered hand-held lasers and think it's a joke."

Australia: Six planes targeted in alleged "coordinated cluster attack"

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2008-03-29T08:37:09-07:00

Six planes had to alter their flight paths into Sydney airport after pilots were targeted in an unprecedented laser "cluster attack”, authorities say. ...Air traffic controllers had to close one flight approach late on Friday, after up to four people targeted planes with lasers in an apparently co-ordinated attack. ..."It was described by the pilots as a cluster attack which implies some sort of co-ordination or organisation." ...*2011 UPDATE: Investigation by US and Australian officials revealed that the "cluster attack" was caused by youths, riding their bicycles on a golf course at night, who stopped and took the occasion to illuminate landing aircraft. It might be noted that their local community had a history of acrimony directed at the airport authority due to the construction of a new runway which caused more flights over their residential area. In a Feb. 2011 presentation to the SAE G10T group, attended by LaserPointerSafety.com, FAA flight standards liaison Patrick Hempen said the truth about Sydney has not caught up with the news stories. ... Hempen also investigated several laser events in the Mideast and found many of the so-called "deliberate attacks" to be similar; they were “events perpetrated by youths, in a party-like atmosphere, without care or knowledge of the havoc that they were causing.”

Australia: Student faces possible life imprisonment

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-08-10T11:53:41-07:00

"The laser I used in the army and the laser I used now – there is a not a lot of similarities between them," Bozan told the court via an interpreter. ... Bozan is charged with endangering life, prejudicing the safe operation of an aircraft and carrying an offensive weapon. Last week, he allegedly shone a hand-held pen laser at pedestrians, cars and a Qantas plane which was flying at 7000ft on approach to Adelaide Airport. John Mattner, for Bozan, told the court his client believed the laser was a toy and "did not believe the laser pointer would actually reach 7000ft. [See this webpage for more information on how far laser pointers of various powers can reach.] A laser pointer was used but it was not done to intentionally harm or interfere with anyone," Mr Mattner said. "It is conceded that its use could be seen as reckless."

Malta: Class III laser pointers banned, confiscated

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-08-28T07:29:52-07:00

A number of laser pointers and similar products are being banned and withdrawn from the market by the Malta Standards Authority. The Authority said that these products posed a risk to users. They had an integral Class III laser which was harmful if the beam produced was pointed towards the eye. Some also produced an electric discharge. Retailers having these products on their shelves were requested to remove them and to contact the agents supplying them to ensure their recall. Consumers who had these products in their possession should return them to the place of purchase. The Authority warned retailers that all similar products which would be found on the market would be confiscated.

Australia: Life sentences possible for "laser pests"

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-08-28T09:15:19-07:00

"There are two levels of offences," Mr Roberts told ABC Radio this morning. "There is the mere act of pointing a laser, but if there is intent to cause harm (in doing that) there is a much more serious consequence." Mr Roberts praised communication between the pilot and police, which led to the 20-year-old's arrest. "With good communication between the pilots and the police, which is what's occurring, they are able to find where these lasers come from," he said. ...The 20-year-old has been charged with endangering the safe use of a vehicle. He is due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court next month. In June, a 17-year-old boy was the first Queenslander charged under Section 26 of the Summary Offences Act, introduced by the Bligh Government last year in a bid to curb the practice of "beaming" with high intensity laser lights.

Scotland: £4000 (US $6500) fine for flashing laser at rescue helicopter

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-05-29T10:47:10-07:00

A 22-year-old was fined £4000 (US $6500, Euro 4500) for flashing a laser beam at pilots in a rescue helicopter. On Nov. 1 2008, an RAF Sea King helicopter was carrying a teenager injured in a climbing accident. Rosen Romanov dazzled the pilots who were at an altitude of 1000 feet over homes in Caol, Fort William, in Scotland. The pilots felt that it was only their night-vision goggles, which reduced the glare, that saved them from a “tragic crash”. Romanov was found guilty of culpable and reckless conduct and was fined the record amount. ...Update: In late August 2009, Romanov’s lawyers appealed, saying “the fine was maybe suitable for the offense, but not enough consideration has been given to his financial circumstances.” A hearing was scheduled for September 10.

UK: 150 hours community service, avoids 8 months in jail

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-08-22T10:32:22-07:00

Peter Hind, 38, of Shirebrook in Nottinghamshire, UK, was sentenced to 150 hours of community service for aiming a laser at a police helicopter. He would have received eight months in jail, except that he is the only caregiver for his 12-year-old son. The judge said “he made a stupid mistake but sending him to prison would punish his child more.” From the Mirror.

UK: Man tracked, arrested after helicopter incident

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-08-26T10:23:49-07:00

A 32-year-old man was arrested in Reading, about 50 miles west of London, for shining a green laser beam on a police helicopter. The officers on board used cameras to guide ground units to the suspect. The man was charged with endangering police officers. A police spokesperson was quoted as saying “Shining a laser at an aircraft is extremely dangerous. The front windscreen has thousands of tiny scratches on its surface, which diffract the laser beam in every direction. Essentially, the laser beam lights up the whole of the windscreen in a bright glow, which can potentially blind the pilot." From BBC News

UK: 180 hours of community service "for a laugh"

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-08-28T07:40:24-07:00

A 21-year-old UK woman was sentenced to 6 months in jail for shining a laser pointer “for a laugh” at a police helicopter in Staines, just outside London Heathrow Airport. However, Natasha Forster’s sentence was suspended and she was ordered to carry out 180 hours of community service instead. The judge also ordered the laser to be destroyed. A police inspector was quoted as saying “The sentence handed out sends a clear warning to anyone else considering such reckless behaviour. Endangering an aircraft is a criminal offence and it will not be tolerated.” From the Richmond-Twickenham Times and The Independent.

US: Felony arrest for shining laser at CHP helicopter

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-08-19T20:18:44-07:00

18-year-old Dustin Brown of Carmichael, California was arrested August 19 2009 for aiming a laser at a California Highway Patrol (CHP) helicopter. He was charged with a felony; the maximum penalty under state law is three years in jail; under federal law it is 20 years and a $250,000 fine. The story noted that “at least six other people have been busted for pointing lasers at aircraft in the Sacramento area over the past several months.” From CBS13 news in Sacramento, CA

US: New FDA publication on laser pointer hazards

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-06-27T12:56:21-07:00

The webpage and brochure also describes FDA’s regulatory authority over laser products, and gives some tips for consumers. Both formats (web and PDF) contain the same text; one is best for online review and the other for print purposes.

US: Baseball players targeted with laser pointer

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-07-27T12:34:31-07:00

A fan at the Cards/Phillies game used a strategically placed laser pointer to try and distract the St. ... In the top of the seventh inning the fan first used it on Julio Lugo, who eventually struck out. Then the fan tried to distract Albert Pujols before umpire Jim Wolf called time and tried to find the fan. Security went to the section but the culprit was never caught, according to ESPN. ESPN described how the laser was called “dangerous” and how one player was frightened: Cardinals manager Tony La Russa spoke to umpires after the game and said other players besides Pujols were targeted by the laser. ...Julio Lugo, who came up before Pujols, was scared for his life.

UK: Police "fight back" by tracking laser hits

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-04-08T14:06:42-07:00

UK police are testing a Laser Event Recorder (made by Optra) on a helicopter, to record the GPS location and take photos of incidents. ... A BBC News article with video and photos demonstrates how the LER and thermal (infrared) imaging are used to catch perpetrators. ...BBC quotes Bob Jones, head of flight operations at the CAA: “"To those individuals targeting aircraft with laser devices the message is clear -- don't. ...Many more details, including photos and a video of a helicopter finding a laser perpetrator, are at the BBC News website.

Scotland: Car driver distracted by green laser

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-01-16T07:28:41-08:00

The driver of an automobile reported being distracted by a green laser in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, Scotland according to police. They appealed for anyone with information to contact them. More details at the BBC News website.

US: Man indicted for interfering with Southwest flight

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-04-03T13:10:26-07:00

This incident also was reported in local news reports such as the Sacramento Bee and ABC News10. This made the FBI’s Top Ten News Stories for the week ending April 3, 2009. ...In response to a green laser incident on 03/16/09, on 04/02/09, BALLTAZAR O. VALLADARES was indicted by a Federal Grand Jury in the Eastern District of California, Sacramento, on two counts of Title 18, USC Section 32 (a)(5) and 32(a)(8), Interference with the Safe Operation of an Aircraft. The indictment stated that on March 16, 2009, VALLADARES did willfully interfere with and attempt to interfere with and disable, with reckless disregard for the safety of human life, at least one person engaged in the authorized operation of Southwest Airlines Flight 1010, a Boeing 737 en-route from Las Vegas, Nevada to Sacramento, CA. The aircraft had one hundred and thirty seven passengers aboard, and which aircraft was in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States, as defined under Title 49, USC, Section 46501 (2), and was a civil aircraft used, operated and employed in interstate commerce. The Grand Jury further charged that on the same date, VALLADARES did willfully interfere with and attempt to interfere with and disable, with reckless disregard for the safety of human life, at least one person engaged in the authorized operation of Sacramento Sheriff's Dept.

US: 148 incidents in less than 2 months

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-02-24T09:47:53-08:00

According to FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown, there have been 148 laser attacks on aircraft in the U.S., in less than two months (from January 1 to Feb. ... This is an average of 2.7 incidents per day. On Friday, Feb. 20, 2009 alone there were reports of incidents in Salt Lake City and Ogden, Utah; Lake Charles, Louisiana; Orlando, Florida; and Burbank and San Jose, California. On Sunday, Feb. 22, 12 different jetliners landing in Seattle were illuminated by an unknown person with a laser pointer. Information from a CNN story on the Feb. 22 Seattle attacks; see paragraphs 6 and 7. There is also a video version of this story at CNN’s website.

US: 12 planes report a laser in Seattle

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-02-24T09:39:11-08:00

Pilots on 12 jetliners landing at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Sunday, Feb. 22 2009, reported that someone was shining a green laser light into their cockpits. ...But the incident led to pilots simultaneously trying to avoid being temporarily blinded by the light while trying to help authorities pinpoint its source, believed to be about a mile north of the airport. Air traffic controllers continuously cautioned pilots about the light during the episode, which lasted from 7:10 to 7:30 p.m. ...Officials note that it is a federal crime to point a laser light at an aircraft, and pilots are required to report encounters with laser lights. Officials fear that the lights could cause an accident by blinding pilots or otherwise affecting their night vision. The FBI has “made it a priority” to investigate laser incidents, according to CNN reporter Jeanne Meserve.. ...A CNN video of the news story “Lasers aimed at planes”, reported by Jeanne Meserve, is also available from CNN’s website.

US: Boy charged for shining laser at drivers

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-02-15T10:10:17-08:00

A Lake Forest Road boy faces charges for shining a green laser beam at motorists, including a Bay Village patrol officer. ...Feb. 7, saying he had just seen a green laser beam in his car. He waited for police and pointed to the house where the light had come from. Officers talked to the home owner, who said his sons had a green laser. ... Police told the brothers not to shine the light at cars and searched their bedroom, but didn't find the laser. About 7:30 p.m. the following evening, an officer on routine patrol was blinded by a green laser beam coming from a passing car. ... The boy denied having the laser, but it was eventually turned over to police.

US: 3 year sentence in laser case

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-01-24T20:35:25-08:00

A Cleveland-area man who shined a green laser into the cockpits of airplanes and a helicopter last June will spend three years in prison after pleading guilty to those crimes and separate drug-dealing charges. Justin Dewalt, 26, pleaded guilty to several felonies and was sentenced Friday, officials said. ...Dewalt bought a high-power laser off the Internet and brought it to a party June 4 2008. That night, flight crews of two planes about to land at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport reported that someone hit their cockpits with a laser. ...About an hour later, a laser hit the cockpit of a MetroHealth Medical Center helicopter flying a patient to the hospital from Elyria. The helicopter pilot told Cleveland police the area where the laser came from and when a pilot for the police helicopter flew over to investigate, he, too, was hit in the eye by a laser that was coming from a moving car. Cleveland police stopped the car a short time later and found Dewalt in the back seat with a laser.

US: Arrest, jail for pointing laser at deputy

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-01-07T08:48:59-08:00

A 19-year-old was arrested and jailed for shining a laser pointer at a sheriff’s deputy. On January 1 2009, a Hornbrook, California homeowner called the sheriff’s office about a man on the homeowner’s porch. “When deputies arrived and began to question Jonathan Lee Huellett, he allegedly pulled out a laser pointer and began shining it in the deputy’s face and on his chest. Huellett was arrested on suspicion of using the laser pointer on the deputy.” ... He was released, but on January 3 was arrested again for resisting and obstructing a peace officer. [It is unclear from the story if this resulted from a separate incident, or was a charge from the original laser pointer incident.] Four days later, when the news story was published, he remained in jail.

Ireland: Pilots call for pointer ban

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2009-01-04T19:22:26-08:00

Airline pilots in Ireland want a ban on handheld laser pointers, after “a number of pilots were dazzled” while landing at Dublin’s airport. Captain Adrian Hinkson of IALPA wants the lasers classified as weapons; it would be illegal to possess a laser pointer without a license. The Irish Aviation Authority has said ten incidents have occurred since September 2008. Aer Lingus airlines said six of their flights were targeted “in recent months” From RTE News. The article also has links to two RealAudio video reports on the pilots’ call for restrictions, and on the Dublin incidents.

Romania: Video of helicopter incident

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2008-12-06T19:27:46-08:00

A YouTube video taken from a helicopter in Bucharest includes a brief laser illumination. The frame grab below shows the view as the laser reaches maximum brightness. ...The laser incident happens from about 5:00 to 5:04 in the video. The illuminations are don’t appear to be as bright or disruptive as those in the UK helicopter footage here. However, no matter how low-powered the laser or how brief the illumination, lasers should NEVER be aimed at helicopters, aircraft or other vehicles. Thanks to Andy Faulkner of Laser Shows S.R.L. in Bucharest for bringing this to our attention, and to Peter Broerse of DMXLASER in the Netherlands for the frame grab.

UK: Video of helicopter incident

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2008-11-08T08:47:29-08:00

...If a higher-power laser was used, obviously the light would be much brighter. ...The light itself is distracting, plus they are concentrating on this incident (trying to find the perpetrator). They are taking time away from “normal” police work to have to deal with this situation. • If the police had been able to find the perpetrator, he or she would have been arrested. ... (Search this page for the categories Arrests and Fines and jail to see that this is a real possibility.) As stated elsewhere in this website, levels of laser light which may seem reasonable to laser enthusiasts cause problems for pilots.

Australia: "Laser fool" sentenced, fined for illuminating police helicopter

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2008-07-22T21:05:40-07:00

The 20-year-old Babet had earlier plead guilty to shining the 532nm wavelength green laser light into the cabin of the NSW police Air Wing "Squirrel" Helicopter on June 18 this year [2008]. "It creates a danger for all concerned including those in the aircraft and those on the ground," Mr Brennan said yesterday. ..."I think this does call for a jail sentence - I think anything less would be inappropriate," Mr Brennan said. He sentenced Babet to six months jail - but ordered that he be released straight away on a $1000 surety provided that he be of good behaviour for 12 months and pay a $1500 pecuniary penalty order. ...He told police he had known the dangers of shining the laser into the cabin of the helicopter but that he hadn't intended to endanger the aircraft or its crew. ...The laser had been shone into the cabin and into the eyes of the crew when the helicopter was flying 1600 feet above homes in Bella Vista. It had distracted the pilot and each of the three crew on board said it had caused them to temporarily be unable to perform normal flight duties, the court heard.

US: Laser hits college football player

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2008-11-17T08:14:57-08:00

Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Zac Robinson was hit by a laser pointer during a game Nov. 15 2008 against the University of Colorado. Robinson had to take a timeout because he was distracted by the incident. Fortunately for Robinson, the following play was a 29-yard touchdown pass -- so there, CU fans! The story here has a photo showing the pointer on his jersey and helmet. ESPN has a video which also shows the incident.

Australia - 1200 illegal pointers seized

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2008-09-02T11:12:08-07:00

"The fact that so many have been intercepted - an average of 150 a week since the ban came into effect - just goes to show why the ban was necessary." Earlier this year, a number of flights were targeted with lasers, including a co-ordinated 15-minute attack using four green lasers that forced six aircraft to change flight paths as they approached Sydney Airport. In July, Zakary Babet, who shone a laser into the eyes of police in a hovering helicopter, was sentenced to six months jail but freed on a bond. The State Government also introduced new laws banning laser pointers from public places without a reasonable explanation, with a penalty of up to two years' jail. Possession of class three and four laser pointers - or high-powered lasers greater than one milliwatt - was also made illegal without a prohibited-weapons permit, with a maximum penalty of 14 years' jail. ...The maximum penalty for importing laser pointers without approval is a fine of $110,000, or three times the value of the goods. Legitimate users of high-intensity laser pointers - such as scientists, surveyors and astronomers - can apply to the Commonwealth Government for permission to import the items.

Canada: Video report on "stupid hobby" of shining laser lights at planes

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2008-11-13T18:23:16-08:00

A video report from the Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) describing the increasing concern over laser pointers; 2 min 46 seconds long. Reporter Nancy Wood gives background. Also, there is a related print story from the CBC website. It does not have the same voiceover as the video report, but does go over similar points, including this one: "We don't want this to become a bigger hobby — a bigger, stupid hobby," said Serge Beaulieu, spokesman for the Air Canada Pilots Association.

Canada: Pilots call for better labeling; tougher penalties

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2008-11-12T14:17:46-08:00

Canadian pilots are calling for better labelling on laser pointers and tougher penalties for those caught beaming the blinding lights at airplanes after incidents across the country more than doubled over the last year. According to Transport Canada, there have already been 56 occurrences this year [2008] compared with 21 in 2007. The department has recorded a total of 83 since 2005. "The increase in the number of laser events that are occurring in Canada and around the world are alarming to us," said Capt. ... "The laser events that are occurring are probably one of the greatest safety concerns that we have right now as a profession." Wiszniowski said the industry is calling on laser manufacturers to develop labeling that will contain warnings similar to those on tobacco products. He is also encouraging the courts to issue stiffer penalties to offenders.

Canada: Number of pilots blinded by laser pointers increases

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2008-11-03T08:11:57-08:00

On October 15, 2007 in Calgary, David Mackow shone a green laser pointer at both a landing Air Canada Jazz Dash 8 plane and the Calgary Police Service helicopter that was dispatched to investigate. ...Indeed, an Aeronautical Informational Circular from Transport Canada notes that "cockpit workload increases below 10,000 [feet] above ground level," the effective range of the more powerful laser pointers. At this height, pilots and co-pilots may be dealing with approach and landing tasks, as well as navigating the "dense traffic areas" near airports, the circular says. When a directed bright light is shone into a cockpit, the effects on the flight crew can range from startle and glare to flashblindness and even a persistent afterimage. ...Additionally, the laser beam can cause temporary or permanent damage to pilots' eyes, although the Transport Canada information calls this a "remote possibility because the laser power required to cause eye injury to a pilot in flight greatly exceeds that of lasers in common use today." ...While he could not speculate on why the number of offences has increased so rapidly, Wiszniowski points out that a working group composed of the major carriers, pilots associations, Transport Canada and NAV CANADA is developing standard operating procedures for pilots faced with directed bright lights. ...Currently, the Transport Canada circular provides pilots with a seven-step laser incident procedure, as well as tips for preventing and mitigating illumination effects (such as turning on thunderstorm lights and engaging the autopilot).

UK: 4 months jail for "endangering aircraft"

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2008-06-26T10:35:40-07:00

The court heard that Bottomley bought the £30 pen on the internet and pointed it at the aircraft to see how far it reached. ...The court heard that the helicopter was flying over Heaton Norris in Stockport on 16 April when it was targeted by a bright green laser. The light, which was being shone from the back bedroom window of a semi-detached house below, lit up the whole cockpit, leaving the pilot unable to see properly. Bottomley "zapped" the aircraft up to 10 times with the laser, which had a range of up to five miles, the court heard. After the pilot called for back-up, officers were directed to the house on Larwood Avenue and Bottomley admitted he was responsible. Captain Westwood said the helicopter had earlier been zapped by another laser pen a few miles away and aircraft were increasingly being targeted by people with the devices. ...People might think that this is some sort of amusing prank, but I can assure you that it could have had deadly consequences."

UK: 5 mW laser pointers seized

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2008-11-05T08:07:09-08:00

Sixteen boxes headed for a premises in north London were found at Felixstowe Docks earlier this week. Imports of laser pens that astronomers use for star pointing, have also been targeted by officials after reports of them being used in a dangerous manner. Last month an Ipswich teenager received a 20-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, for using a green laser pointer to dazzle the pilot of a police helicopter. Britain's largest pilots union BALPA has warned people misusing these pointers that they are "playing Russian roulette" with the lives of hundreds of passengers. The organisation has suggested that some laser pens should be classified as weapons. Suffolk's portfolio holder for public protection, Joanna Spicer said: "These are not the laser pens or pointers you sometimes see in conferences or presentations. ...We have heard in the past week alone what damage can be done to pilots and aircraft when these powerful instruments get into the wrong hands."

French Polynesia: Pilot "blinded" on approach

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2008-04-13T14:40:04-07:00

Police in French Polynesia are trying to locate the individual who trained a laser at the pilot of an Air Tahiti Nui airliner landing in Papeete after a flight from Los Angeles. The pilot has told a Tahiti newspaper that he was blinded as the plane with its 290 passengers on board was at an altitude of 3,000 feet and he was about to finalise the approach to the airport. The pilot has lodged a formal complaint and police say they have established that the laser was directed from the port area. A similar incident occurred last year [2007] when young people pointed lasers at a plane from near the runway. From Radio New Zealand International

French Polynesia: 15 days in jail for pointing laser at plane

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2008-11-09T20:07:45-08:00

A court in French Polynesia has sentenced a man to 15 days in jail for pointing a laser at an aircraft. The incident happened last month [September 2008] when the man pointed the laser at an Air Tahiti plane. Police, who were alerted by the pilot after he was blinded, say the man was unaware of the risks his action posed. There is no regulation in French Polynesia on the sale of lasers which can be beamed up to 17 kilometers. From Radio New Zealand International

Australia: Three years jail for aiming laser at helicopter

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2008-04-08T20:32:30-07:00

In June 2007, he shone a laser at a police helicopter as it flew at low level in the Port Adelaide area. The pilot was temporarily blinded by the incident. Baldetti later blamed the pilot for shining the helicopter spotlight at him first. Last week the New South Wales premier, Morris Iemma, said anyone who shone laser pointers at planes was potentially committing mass murder. From Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Australia: Readers comment on laser lout incident

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2007-08-13T10:15:52-07:00

Readers of the Melbourne Herald Sun commented on the “laser lout” incident at a football match. ...“This sort of madness just should not be tolerated - it is at best a risk or blinding an individual, yes, just even a Joe Citizen: at worst it could bring down a plane. ...“A laser in the eyes can permanently blind, these brain dead individuals are not just louts or plain footy fans they are criminals and should be treated as such.... ... They are of no legitimate use to an idiot, except to cause nuisance, they should be classed a concealed weapon and treated accordingly.” “The practice of directing laser beams at aircraft is incredibly dangerous as is the potential of using these beams in any other situation. There were reports of the same thing happening to footballers at the weekend. The penalties suggested going to the Senate today are insufficient to say the least and should not only cover aircraft but any use of these lasers intended to injure other people.”

Australia: Lasers banned at football game; jail possible

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2007-08-13T05:13:39-07:00

Since 2006, there have been more than 170 reports of laser lights being directed at aircraft and the number of incidents reported is increasing with 49 being reported from April to June this year. Earlier this month a Qantas flight approaching Darwin Airport was targeted by a high power laser in the latest of a string of potentially fatal incidents. "This is very irresponsible and has the potential to jeopardise the safety of aircraft passengers," Mr Vaile told AAP through a spokeswoman. "To ensure that appropriate offences exist to deal with people who interfere with aircraft, the government currently has legislation before the Senate that makes it an offence to threaten the safety of an aircraft from off the aircraft." ...Civil Aviation Safety Authority spokesman Peter Gibson said there appeared to be no pattern to two laser incidents at Sydney's Kingsford Smith Airport last week. "One was on Friday quite close to the airport ... and the other one was out near Liverpool," Mr Gibson said. ..."Whatever it is we're really just trying to plead to them 'Don't do it' and see the commonsense of the situation.

UK: "Laser lout" targets footballer

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2008-02-21T11:08:07-08:00

Football team Manchester United made a complaint to the Union of European Football Associations after Cristiano Ronaldo was zapped with a laser pen. The Reds wizard was targeted during the warm-up and in the first half of United’s 1-1 Champions League draw in Lyon. Manager Alex Ferguson, relieved at Carlos Tevez’s 87th-minute equaliser, said: “We reported it to UEFA. We noticed it before the game. They tried to deal with it but I don’t know how much longer it went on.” Ronaldo made no comment about the incident, though he did not have one of his better nights on the pitch. ...The link has a video capture showing the footballer with a large green spot on his face.

US: Florida man aims laser at deputies, is shot dead

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2005-02-04T11:44:36-08:00

They said one deputy fired a shotgun blast after Setzer, who authorities thought might be armed, refused to show his hands and made a sudden movement. "We still don't know why he (Setzer) pointed the laser at the deputies," said sheriff's spokeswoman Marianne Pasha. "But the deputies went there not knowing if someone was aiming a gun at them or not." ...Buckley, a nine-year veteran of the force, could see Setzer's left hand, but his right hand was concealed in the doorway. After several more commands to show his hands, Setzer said, "You're not going to get her" and turned suddenly. ...They said an inspection of the apartment found three handguns, including a loaded semiautomatic in a drawer about 8 feet from the door. Police also found three devices that shoot a laser beam, including one that can be mounted on a gun.

US: Sheriffs raid home to seach for laser pointers

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2008-08-12T11:15:34-07:00

"They held me outside like I was a criminal, guns pointing at me," said Kathleen Kiefer, who worked as a federal airport security screener at PBIA for three years until she went out on disability last year. ...The Sheriff's Office said there have been several laser incidents this year, including one in July that they think came from the same house. Kamstra said that after he and Fell were lasered last Tuesday, they circled the area and shined the spotlight on the house but the laser didn't stop. ...Sheriff's Detective Eric Reid said Kiefer later told deputies that "The helicopter was blinding him, so he wanted to blind the helicopter back." Kiefer, a business student at Palm Beach Community College and an avid gun collector, said he played with the laser but denied he intentionally shined it in the cockpit. "If a cop would have said, 'Hey, you shined a light at a bird, do you know that's a federal offense? Do it again and you will go to prison,' I would have thrown mine away," he said.

US: Man faces 25 years in prison and fines up to $500,000

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2005-01-04T10:55:14-08:00

"One would think they would want to devote their time and resources to prosecuting real terrorists, not people like my client," Gina Mendola-Longarzo told the Associated Press. She said her client was playing with his young daughter, using the laser's narrow green beam to point at stars and illuminating trees and neighbor's houses. FBI agents and police swarmed Banach's Parsnippany, N.J., home Friday night after a green laser was pointed at a police helicopter overhead. The helicopter was carrying a charter jet pilot who was attempting to locate the source of a green laser beam that hit his flight on Dec. 29 as it prepared to land at nearby Teterboro Airport. After being taken to an FBI office and given a lie-detector test, Banach said he had hit the jet with the beam, court documents say. ... After the agent switched it on, Banach warned him "not to shine the laser in his eyes because it could blind him," the court documents say. ...Thousands of inexpensive lasers used for home repair jobs were sold before Christmas, some for as little as $15.

US: Man arrested for flashing patrol plane

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2008-09-16T10:22:57-07:00

"It's not very bright, it runs on AAA batteries,” said Rhodes. ..."I was just spinning around and all of a sudden, boom. ...A half-hour later, the 31-year-old knew he had messed up when deputies came up to his driveway yelling at him. The laser was confiscated and Rhodes could face felony charges for tracking a plane with a laser. "I didn't mean to hit the plane, but if there are going to be consequences, I hope other people will learn from the experience,” said Rhodes. Since 2004, the FAA has documented 900 cases of lasers aimed at aircraft. Within the last month, two other state patrol planes were hit with powerful flashlights or spotlights.

Wired Magazine: Laser pointers a "huge safety risk" for aircraft

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2008-04-14T09:09:59-07:00

Those tempted to flash a laser skyward for a good laugh might want to think twice. In addition to potentially downing an aircraft, pranksters could get slapped with a $25,000 fine and/or 20 years in the clink. And officials are also considering prosecuting laser shining losers as domestic terrorists under the Patriot Act. Not something you want on your résumé. According to The Washington Post, the FAA reports during the first half of this year [2008], there have been more than 175 cases of lasers shot at aircraft, and more than 900 incidents since 2004. In most cases these were not powerful industrial lasers, but the commonplace pointers wielded by countless college professors and mid-level management types. Additional details from the Wired Magazine blog post

US: Two years jail for a 3.3 mW laser

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2008-10-17T09:02:58-07:00

A California man was sentenced earlier this week to two years in jail, for shining a 3.3 milliwatt laser at an aircraft. This was reported by a member of the SAE G-10T subcommittee who testified at the man’s sentencing. At this time, we do not have any additional information. Reported by Patrick Murphy, an ILDA representative to the SAE G-10T subcommittee

NZ: Man faces 14 years in prison for helicopter incident

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2008-09-27T21:11:39-07:00

Gayley says when laser beams hit the cockpit they are "as wide as his arm is long", and initially blind the pilot, then cause burning irritation in the eyes for hours afterwards. ...On August 23, Eagle tracked one alleged laser-pointer, Ricky Laurence Nikora, through Auckland's eastern suburbs, leading to his arrest in a Burger King in Mission Bay. The 25-year-old labourer from Otahuhu was charged with interfering with a transport facility with reckless disregard - which carries a maximum sentence of 14 years - and has entered no plea. ...The Australian law change was triggered this year by a spate of attacks on at least six passenger jets coming into Sydney airport, where about four lasers simultaneously "painted" cockpits, delaying landings and forcing flight path changes. ...Strong lasers - such as the green one allegedly used by Nikora - can be 35 times stronger than red laser pens and shine for 5km. Here there are only voluntary restrictions on the sale of these lasers but the government announced in June that it would consider a more stringent ban. ...One other person has been convicted after attacking Eagle with a laser - Gayley says he "got off quite lightly" and was convicted only of criminal nuisance, which carries a one-year sentence.

UK: Growing concern over laser pointers

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2008-10-04T20:52:01-07:00

The union said the perpetrators are "playing Russian roulette" with the lives of hundreds of passengers, and has suggested that some laser pens should be classified as weapons. ...Figures from the Civil Aviation Authority show that in 2007 there were 27 incidents involving commercial aeroplanes. ..."If I was doing a rescue and I was being affected by a laser light, I would probably curtail the rescue. Not only would we be put in danger at that point, but the person we were going to rescue would be seriously put in danger as well". Low-powered laser pens under one milliwatt (mW) - often used for presentations - are considered safe enough to be on general sale. But stronger lasers are causing concern - particularly those over 5 mW - including some used by astronomers or scientists which can be as powerful as 240 mW. At close range they can cause permanent blindness and skin burns, while at longer range they can still cause temporary sightlessness.

UK: eBay, Amazon remove high-powered pointers

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2008-10-04T20:47:20-07:00

EBay told the Donal MacIntyre programme on BBC Radio 5 live it had become "increasingly concerned" by reports of these lasers being used for "wholly inappropriate purposes". ...Low-powered laser pens under one milliwatt (mW) - often used for presentations - are considered safe enough to be on general sale. But stronger lasers are causing concern - particularly those over 5 mW - including some used by astronomers or scientists which can be as powerful as 240 mW. ...An advert on eBay described a "Powerful Green Laser Pointer Pen: suitable for star gazing, lab experiments, projection on low clouds, even fun and games at night clubs and discos." ...Retailers can be prosecuted by Trading Standards under the General Product Safety Regulations which stipulates that only safe products should be on general sale. ...eBay said "We have become increasingly concerned by reports of high powered laser pointers being used for wholly inappropriate purposes, and so we have decided to introduce a ban on all high powered pointers." Amazon said: "After learning that lasers exceeding the recommended standard were available on our site, we are working to remove the listings for these products as quickly as possible."

NSW: Fine for possession, prison for dangerous use

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2008-10-01T20:29:23-07:00

“Legitimate use would include astronomical clubs, teachers and lecturers, who use these tools in their line of work. “The legislation will also increase the maximum penalty for Dangerous Conduct with a Weapon ( including a laser pointer ) to 4 years imprisonment, or a $15,000 fine, and if a person is detected by police with a laser pointer in their possession and they can not provide a legitimate explanation, the item will be confiscated and they will face a penalty of up to a $750 fine. “These penalties will apply to the use of laser pointers to disrupt any vehicle, not just aircraft. “Police can also already charge a person with Interference with crew or aircraft, under the Commonwealth’s Civil Aviation Act ( 1988 ), if the individual is found to be pointing a laser at an aircraft. ...“Our legislation, set to be introduced early next year, aims to bolster the federal legislation, by stopping these offences from even occurring in the first place, by addressing the offence of possession, as opposed to just the action. “We can not be complacent about the dangerous use of laser pointers by some individuals in recent times. “It is hard to comprehend why anyone would commit such a potentially deadly act as pointing a laser at an aircraft.”

Canada: More incidents; man fined $1000

mail@laserpointersafety.com — 2008-10-21T14:25:53-07:00

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.