In the UK the Pilots union have warned that it is only a matter of time before a serious aircraft incident is caused by foolish pranksters with laser pointers.
In the UK there has been an increase in the number of reported incidents in which co-pilots have had to take the aircraft controls after the pilot was temporarily blinded by lasers. Only recently there have been a number of what could have become fatal incidents at Edinburgh, Glasgow, Durham and Gatwick airports.
Often it is difficult to pinpoint the source of a laser light pointer due to the height of an aircraft. In one recent incident at Durham Tees airport the police were able to locate and capture the man responsible.
These laser devices can produce an intense beam of light that will reach 37,000 feet. Pilots have warned authorities that it is only a matter of time before a serious incident occurs as they are forced to take evasive action when they encounter unusual lights when coming in to land. They’ve warned that sooner or later a serious incident will occur in which lives are lost.
Over the past five years, in the United States, there have been over 1000 reported incidents involving laser pointers. Anyone convicted can face a prison sentence of up to 20 years and a fine of as much as $25,000. In America they are considering treating those convicted of this crime as domestic terrorists.
In a couple of recent court cases in the UK one man from Hampshire was given a suspended sentence and in another a 19 year old man was awarded a 4 month prison sentence. Air safety campaigners have called for harsher sentences to act as a deterrant to those who think this activity is just a prank.
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