Another Laser Pointer Idiot

[White-Light]

You'll never hear me say that beams of high-intensity light don't pose a serious flash hazard to helicopter pilots.. it's airplane pilots that I think are better protected.

In general to clarify my comments above, I do think that any high intensity light poses a risk to pilots through distraction and dazzle. I just don't personally believe all of the claims made by all of the pilots in the past. I think some are genuinely suffering flash blindness and eye damage and others are suffering a flash blindness placebo effect. I also think that in some cases there is an element of things being talked up to push the political agenda in favour of a pointer ban, something I'm not against anyway.

However, that my personal non belief of lasting effects in most cases, doesn't in any way mitigate what I said in the 1st part of this paragraph, all high intensity light is dangerous to pilots even if its only in a transient way and anyone who shines any laser towards an aircraft of any kind is an idiot and if deliberate deserves jail. The issue of actual eye damage and longer lasting effects, is a seperate one which really needs to be scientifically proven in each individual incident to be believeable in my eyes.

[Eidetic]

Thanks everyone for those great points! So in the case of helicopters only, clear nighttime conditions over a large urban area, 1W vertical blue beam, 30 seconds duration. The danger is either from the pilot flying into the stationary beam or from the light scattered from it sideways (or up if the pilot's near the beam). I'm NOT advocating doing this, just looking for real world experienced comments.

So to do this legally, the FAA gets notified and pilots are informed to expect it from this location at these times, and everyone's happy that the operator and equipment are qualified to do it and keep it safe at the source. That about it?

Do helicopter pilots over urban areas use night vision goggles? If not directly in the beam, seems to me it would take way more than 1W of blue light to do anything more than draw a pilot's attention (perhaps suddenly). Of course, then he's gonna have to worry about what the beam's going to do next. That's a distraction, and a threat.

[Stuka]

Thanks everyone for those great points! So in the case of helicopters only, clear nighttime conditions over a large urban area, 1W vertical blue beam, 30 seconds duration. The danger is either from the pilot flying into the stationary beam or from the light scattered from it sideways (or up if the pilot's near the beam). I'm NOT advocating doing this, just looking for real world experienced comments.

So to do this legally, the FAA gets notified and pilots are informed to expect it from this location at these times, and everyone's happy that the operator and equipment are qualified to do it and keep it safe at the source. That about it?

Do helicopter pilots over urban areas use night vision goggles? If not directly in the beam, seems to me it would take way more than 1W of blue light to do anything more than draw a pilot's attention (perhaps suddenly). Of course, then he's gonna have to worry about what the beam's going to do next. That's a distraction, and a threat.

1 watt of blue (or most any visible laser) is powerful enough to grab the attention of any pilot flying within visible range, whether fixed wing or helicopter.
So yeah - theoretically - if following all the proper channels, regs, and precautions, and the location for the laser permits the activity (doesn't interfere with normal flight operations), the FAA should NOTAM the laser activity, and all should be well.

These days, it's quite possible to have military, law enforcement, and EMS all using night vision goggles.
And as you alluded to, just the sudden unexpected appearance of a laser within close proximity to an aircraft is enough to cause potential problems.

Surprises while flying at night are generally not a lot of fun...

[mixedgas]

[QUOTE=Eidetic;165112]Thanks everyone for those great points! So in the case of helicopters only, clear nighttime conditions over a large urban area, 1W vertical blue beam, 30 seconds duration. The danger is either from the pilot flying into the stationary beam or from the light scattered from it sideways (or up if the pilot's near the beam). I'm NOT advocating doing this, just looking for real world experienced comments.
end quote

There is no reason to repeat the test, with a aircraft and laser. ILDA did it 10+ years ago with a SP171 Ion, a hand held pointer, and a searchlight, with a actual helicopter. A few very high quality power measurement devices were on the aircraft. There is video and audio some place as well as a partial transcript. I know, I typed the transcript in a emergency for reasons involving a TV show. I no longer have the file, as the hard drive is not readable. My copy of the tape is in a landfill after a VCR shredded it.

The FAA simulator study is also a good read.

Steve

[Eidetic]

So what was the result???

[dzodzo]

sorry to dig this old thread up but this got me burning

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22636288

"They have typically waited for emergency services to attend a fire before attacking them. Green laser pointers have also been shone in the eyes of the emergency services, according to Mr Lindgren."

so there are people trying to protect other's lives and properties and pointer-kids intentionally shine them into face? what sick fuck would do that, i hope karma strikes them bad and they end up with their pointer deep up their retard ass

[dnar]

I was really disappointed to see this post on hackaday today http://hackaday.com/2013/05/24/3w-ha...saber-someday/

Not one mention of hazards and safety. The diffuse reflections from a 3W laser are a serious hazard, not to mention direct incidents.... Sending the wrong message hackaday...

Trivialising high powered lasers is a dumb move...

[White-Light]

"They have typically waited for emergency services to attend a fire before attacking them.

so there are people trying to protect other's lives and properties and ... what sick fuck would do that, i hope karma strikes them bad and they end up with their pointer deep up their retard ass

Unfortunately, its all too frequent in the UK.

Fire fighters in the UK get that on many many calls, so much so that in many areas they have to have a police escort and now have CCTV cameras recording everything:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7238127.stm

1,500 attacks during 2007 according to Fire Brigades Union (that's the latest set of figures I could find).

All I can say is that this country is full of scum.

[Diachi]

I was really disappointed to see this post on hackaday today http://hackaday.com/2013/05/24/3w-ha...saber-someday/

Not one mention of hazards and safety. The diffuse reflections from a 3W laser are a serious hazard, not to mention direct incidents.... Sending the wrong message hackaday...

Trivialising high powered lasers is a dumb move...

The creator of that is a member on LPF - It's not like Hackaday to trivialise high powered lasers though, normally they do have safety warnings.

[LELS]

Greatest 15km nm laser ever made.

http://denver.craigslist.org/ele/3839491261.html