Lasers Cause Problems For Pilots (KTLA) |
LOS ANGELES ( KTLA) -- Less than two weeks ago, authorities in Glendale arrested an 18-year-old suspected of pointing a laser at a police chopper in the sky.
It may sound like a harmless act, especially since the laser's main purpose is to point out constellations, but the backlash from the beam isn't just blinding, it's breaking the law.
The dangerous device is harming eyes in the skies. Lasers with green beams strong enough to pop balloons are being aimed at aircrafts flying overhead.
Pilot Sgt. Robertson says "The laser can have the same effect as a weapon. You can be distracted to a certain extent, that could cause you to lose control of the aircraft, ultimately crash and take the lives of innocent people."
Sgt. Steve Robertson, of the Glendale and Burbank police, knows firsthand the damage these lasers can cause.
In the mid nineties, his vision was compromised after he was hit during a routine patrol flight saying "it burned both of my corneas, it felt like I was hit in the face with a baseball bat. Instant pain, my vision was blurred."
Just this year alone, the FAA has received 2,268 national laser strike reports from pilots of choppers, planes and commercial jets, of those, 78 were reported out of LAX.
FAA representative Ian Gregor says, "This is a pretty serious crime and if you get caught you can serve some serious prison time."
Sgt. Robertson says, getting caught can happen as quick as a flash. "On average after a strike to one of our aircrafts, we normally have located within about 4-5 minutes being able to pinpoint where the subject is hiding or where they are located."
Even though it is completely legal to own the laser if you are using it properly, make sure to steer clear of flying aircrafts or you could find yourself in trouble with the law.
It may sound like a harmless act, especially since the laser's main purpose is to point out constellations, but the backlash from the beam isn't just blinding, it's breaking the law.
The dangerous device is harming eyes in the skies. Lasers with green beams strong enough to pop balloons are being aimed at aircrafts flying overhead.
Pilot Sgt. Robertson says "The laser can have the same effect as a weapon. You can be distracted to a certain extent, that could cause you to lose control of the aircraft, ultimately crash and take the lives of innocent people."
Sgt. Steve Robertson, of the Glendale and Burbank police, knows firsthand the damage these lasers can cause.
In the mid nineties, his vision was compromised after he was hit during a routine patrol flight saying "it burned both of my corneas, it felt like I was hit in the face with a baseball bat. Instant pain, my vision was blurred."
Just this year alone, the FAA has received 2,268 national laser strike reports from pilots of choppers, planes and commercial jets, of those, 78 were reported out of LAX.
FAA representative Ian Gregor says, "This is a pretty serious crime and if you get caught you can serve some serious prison time."
Sgt. Robertson says, getting caught can happen as quick as a flash. "On average after a strike to one of our aircrafts, we normally have located within about 4-5 minutes being able to pinpoint where the subject is hiding or where they are located."
Even though it is completely legal to own the laser if you are using it properly, make sure to steer clear of flying aircrafts or you could find yourself in trouble with the law.
