Lasers and Airplanes

The growing fascination and popularity of laser pointers has lead to an increased usage. This increased usage has created possibly dangerous situations for some people. Media sources have numerously reported that people on the ground are aiming laser beams at airliners. If these lasers find their way into the cockpit, pilots face the risk of temporary blindness. This creates a danger for everyone onboard the aircraft. It is against federal law to intentionally shine a laser beam at an airplane in the United States.

As prices of lasers have dropped drastically, people have picked up lasers to play around with them. In most cases, people are not intentionally trying to cause a disruption, but they do. They may simply see it as a natural reaction to find out if their laser can reach an airplane flying in the sky. Lasers, especially green laser pointers, have such an intense beam of light that airplanes become apparent nighttime targets.

Inexpensive consumer laser pointers are Class IIIa lasers. While they are not strong enough to cause permanent eye damage, they are more significantly seen as being bothersome by causing distractions and unneeded interference for a pilot trying to do his/her job. The most common occurrence of reported laser interference occurs when the airplane is approaching landing. Pilots should not have to deal with the interference of laser pointers during this critical time of the flight.

Under no circumstances should anyone ever direct a laser pointer towards an aircraft. Please remember that lasers can be very dangerous, and they should be used under proper circumstances. For more information regarding the dangers of lasers, please read "Laser Safety".