When laser beams intersect an aircraft’s path, a hazard can result. There are four primary areas of concern: distraction, glare, and temporary flashblindness (for visible laser wavelengths only) and eye injuries (for all laser wavelengths). The threat level depends on factors including: type and power of the laser, how the laser is operated, day vs. night, aircraft motion and distance, flight phase, pilot workload and pilot awareness of laser hazards. There are two primary ways to minimize or eliminate these hazards: careful and responsible laser use on the ground to avoid aircraft, and pilot knowledge of procedures to follow in case of accidental or deliberate laser exposure.

Since the early 1990s, the industry group SAE G-10T Laser Safety Hazards Subcommittee has developed guidance for laser users and aviation regulators. Responsible laser users have followed governmental reporting procedures derived from SAE recommendations. These include U.S. FAA Order 7400.2 and U.K. CAA CAP 736. The threat to aviation is now primarily due to irresponsible users of low-cost, high-visibility, hard-to-regulate laser pointers. Helicopters especially may be at risk, although they also have the ability to track rogue pointer users. The number and nature of incidents has led to a ban, or proposed ban, on laser pointers in some jurisdictions. Also, those who misuse laser pointers are at risk from arrest and even jail time; a number of people have already been caught and prosecuted.

1.
Pilot Laser Warning System.
Video, fact sheet and Q&A available from the Eastern Region FAA Safety Team
. Available at http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/afs/divisions/eastern_region/avsafety_program/vws/ (retrieved Feb. 11, 2009).
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, NASA Technical Memorandum 102814.
3.

Safety Considerations for High-Intensity Lights (HIL) Directed into the Navigable Airspace (2008), SAE document ARP5560. “This document applies to regulatory/approving authorities involved with decisions regarding the use of HIL directed into the navigable airspace. For the purpose of this document, lights greater than 0.25 million candlepower meet the minimum threshold of an HIL.”[

4.
Nakagawara
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,
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Connor
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The Effects of Laser Illumination on Operational and Visual Performance of Pilots During Final Approach
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.
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Laser Pointers: Their Potential Affects [sic] on Vision and Aviation Safety
.
U.S. Department of Transportation report DOT/FAA/AM-01/7
,
6.

Laser experts on the SAE G-10T laser hazards sub-committee considered whether pilots at night have primarily scotopic (night) vision or photopic (color) vision. One difference is that scotopic vision shifts towards the blue-green (roughly 450-550 nm, with a peak at 507 nm) compared with photopic vision which is more green-yellow (roughly 500-600 nm, with a peak at 555 nm). The subcommittee decided that because most nighttime cockpits have color displays and lights, the pilots’ color vision is activated, which means their vision is more photopic than scotopic. Source: Verbal communication from Greg Makhov of Lighting Systems Design Inc. in Orlando, an SAE G-10T member who participated on this debate. This is confirmed since the FAA uses photopic data for its laser-aviation safety calculations. FAA Advisory Circular 70-1, Table 5, which lists visual color correction factors, uses data from the CIE normalized efficiency photopic visual function curve for a standard observer. http://forms.faa.gov/forms/faa7140-1%20appendix.pdf

7.

Laser Safety Control Measure Performance Criteria (draft as of Feb. 2009), SAE G-10T Laser Safety Hazards Subcommittee. When finalized and approved, this will be released as an SAE Aerospace Recommended Practice (ARP) document.

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CRS Report for Congress - Lasers Aimed at Aircraft Cockpits:Background and Possible Options to Address the Threat to Aviation Safety and Security
. CRS Order Code RS22033.
9.
For laser pointer sellers
” page at www.laserpointersafety.com., retrieved Feb. 11, 2009.
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Active laser protection system
, U.S. Patent 7202852.
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Stowable laser eye protection
, U.S. Patent 7344260.
14.

U.S. Department of Transportation, FAA Order JO 7400.2G (Effective date: April 10, 2008). Subject: Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters. Part 6. Miscellaneous Procedures. Chapter 29. Outdoor Laser Operations.

15.

U.S. Department of Transportation, FAA Order JO 7400.2G (Effective date: April 10, 2008). Subject: Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters. Part 6. Miscellaneous Procedures. Chapter 30. High Intensity Light Operations.

16.
CAP736: Guide for the Operation of Lasers, Searchlights and Fireworks in the United Kingdom Airspace
(dated Nov. 17,
2008
). Available from http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP736.PDF.
17.

ANSI Z136.6 American National Standard for Safe Use of Lasers Outdoors, American National Standards Institute.

18.
Use Policy for Outdoor Lasers
,
NASA
. From http://ohp.nasa.gov/policies/pdf/Outdoor_Laser_Policy.pdf.
19.

FAA Advisory Circular 70-1 Subject: Outdoor Laser Operations (dated Dec. 30, 2004).

20.

Application for a Variance from 21 CFR 1040.11(c) for a Laser Light Show, Display, or Device. Form FDA 3147 (dated May 2007). Note 13.1 requires advance notification to the FAA “for any projections into open airspace at any time (i.e., including set up, alignment, rehearsals, performances, etc.) If the FAA objects to any laser effects, the objections will be resolved and any conditions requested by FAA will be adhered to. If these conditions cannot be met, the objectionable effects will be deleted from the show.”

21.

FAA Advisory Circular 70-2 Subject: Reporting of Laser Illumination of Aircraft (dated January 11, 2005)

22.
Aviation Safety Reporting System, NASA
. Available at http://asrs.arc.nasa.gov/.
23.
Laser Notice 46, “To: All holders of approved variances for laser light shows and displays
”. (Dated Dec. 11, 1995) Available from http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/radhlth/pdf/laser-notice-46.pdf
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N.J. man charged with aiming laser at aircraft
. USAToday.com (Posted Jan. 4,
2005
). Available at http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2005-01-04-laser-aircraft_x.htm.
25.
H.R. 1400: Securing Aircraft Cockpits Against Lasers Act of 2005
. Status page of this bill is at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bil=h109-1400.
26.
H.R. 1615: Securing Aircraft Cockpits Against Lasers Act of 2007
. Status page of this bill is at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-1615.
27.
Walker
,
F.
City’s worst laser attacks on aircraft
. Sydney Morning Herald (dated March 30,
2008
). Available at http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/citys-worst-laser-attacks-on-aircraft/2008/03/29/1206207485440.html.
28.
Laser ’cluster’ attacks Sydney planes
,
Herald Sun of Melbourne, Australia
(dated March 29,
2008
). Available at http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/citys-worst-laser-attacks-on-aircraft/2008/03/29/1206207485440.html.
29.
Baker
,
J.
Backlash over ban on laser pointers
, Sydney Morning Herald (dated April 22,
2008
). Availableat http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/backlash-over-ban-on-laser-pointers/2008/04/21/1208742851975.html.
30.
Nizza
,
M.
Australia Takes On Laser Lunatics
, The Lede, New York Times blog (dated April 21,
2008
). Available at http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/21/australia-takes-on-laser-lunatics/?hp.
31.
Laser pointers ban spread
, Herald Sun of Melbourne, Australia (dated April 22,
2008
). Available at http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23577920-662,00.html.
32.

Contact the FAA Airspace and Rules Group, Office of System Operations Airspace and AIM.

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