Reports of green laser pointers (532 nm wavelength) being pointed at aircraft are becoming a common event. These sources often prove to be Class 3B and have the capability to permanently damage a persons sight over a range (the Nominal Ocular Hazard Distance) of a few tens of metres or more (see 'Reflections on laser injuries by overpowered laser pointers' in TLU (2011) 62, p14). Whilst aircraft exposure is generally at distances well beyond the NOHDs of such hand held devices, the dazzle hazard remains a major concern. Pilots report having to cover their eyes and others to taking evasive action.Reports of green laser pointers (532 nm wavelength) being pointed at aircraft are becoming a common event. These sources often prove to be Class 3B and have the capability to permanently damage a persons sight over a range (the Nominal Ocular Hazard
Distance) of a few tens of metres or more (see 'Reflections on laser injuries by overpowered laser pointers' in TLU (2011) 62, p14). Whilst aircraft exposure is generally at distances well beyond the NOHDs of such hand held devices, the dazzle hazard remains a major concern. Pilots report having to cover their eyes and others to taking evasive action.
Examples include a cargo plane from Aberdeen being forced to drop 400 ft as it approached the runway to avoid a green beam. An EasyJet Airbus carrying 59 passengers and six crew travelling on the same flightpath from Stansted was targeted 30 minutes later. Both pilots were dazzled by the beam, suffering a temporary loss of vision, and were forced to cover their eyes at a crucial point in the descent. Then in March this year two adults were arrested after a laser was aimed at a commercial plane near Midway Airport in Chicago. A police helicopter sent to investigate was also illuminated.
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