The Hazards Posed by Laser Pointing to Pilots and Aircraft

Laser strikes on aircraft have garnered international recognition as severe federal offenses with far-reaching consequences. The collaborative efforts of pilots and air traffic controllers play a pivotal role in detecting and apprehending those responsible for these unlawful acts.

However, the ramifications of laser strikes extend well beyond legal boundaries. These incidents pose substantial threats to aviation safety, potentially leading to temporary impairment of flight crew vision and triggering critical medical or operational emergencies.

For pilots, nighttime flying often offers a serene and less congested experience compared to daylight hours. The skies are typically calmer, air traffic is reduced, and radio communications are less crowded. Night flying comes with several benefits, although it also brings to light the concerning phenomenon of laser strikes. This article delves into the details surrounding laser strikes, emphasizing the peril they pose to aviation.

Locations of Laser Strikes
Laser incidents typically occur when an aircraft is at a low altitude, usually within a few thousand feet above the ground. Despite the capability of powerful lasers to project beams across many miles, hitting a plane moving at high speeds and considerable altitude remains highly improbable. Nonetheless, this still presents a significant threat, especially considering that activities below 10,000 feet are critical and safety-sensitive phases of flight.

Pilots maintain the flight deck’s illumination at the minimum requirement to help their eyes adjust to night vision. Consequently, a green laser beam illuminating the flight deck—even if it doesn’t directly hit the crew’s eyes—can cause momentary blindness, potentially leading to a medical or operational crisis.

Consequences of Laser Strikes
Directing a laser at an aircraft is considered a federal offense in the majority of countries, including the United States and Europe. Pilots who encounter a laser strike promptly report the incident to air traffic controllers. Depending on the controllers’ jurisdiction—whether they are terminal or tower controllers—they immediately notify the police and airport authorities in an effort to identify and apprehend the culprits. Subsequently, the supervising controller must report the event to the appropriate regulatory agency, such as the FAA in the United States.

The frequency of laser strikes appears to be on the rise. While US data is available only since 2016, the number of reported laser strikes has surged from just under 7,400 in 2016 to 9,457 in 2022. Catching individuals responsible for laser strikes is undoubtedly challenging, yet those who have been apprehended and identified have faced substantial fines, ranging from $11,000 for a single incident to up to $30,800 for multiple violations.

Impact on General Aviation
General aviation aircraft, especially single-engine, non-turbocharged planes, are more vulnerable to laser strikes than commercial airliners. These smaller aircraft predominantly operate at altitudes below 10,000 feet. Flight instructors and seasoned aviators who have experienced laser incidents are familiar with the best course of action—temporarily turning off the aircraft’s exterior lights to evade the laser. Although wingtip navigation lights and beacons must remain lit at night, briefly extinguishing them makes smaller planes nearly invisible against the dark night sky.

While the frequency of laser strikes may be on the rise, such incidents are still relatively uncommon. Recognizing the dangers and inadvisability of laser pointing requires a measure of common sense and awareness.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, msn.com,