2/28/2009 UA766 ORD-BWI pilot reports "green laser"
Mar 1, 2009, 9:57 am
#1
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2/28/2009 UA766 ORD-BWI pilot reports "green laser"
I was on the referenced flight last night and was listening to the ATC ch9; the pilot reported, "we were just hit with a laser from the right side".
ATC replied, repeating the report for confirmation. About a minute later ATC asked the color of the laser and the pilot responded that it was "greenish".
About another minute later ATC asked if there were any injuries - the pilot said there were none and then ATC warned the plane directly behind us.
It was a little unnerving - not like flying through the snow/sleet squall wasn't bad enough.
Has anyone else experience a "laser" report?
ATC replied, repeating the report for confirmation. About a minute later ATC asked the color of the laser and the pilot responded that it was "greenish".
About another minute later ATC asked if there were any injuries - the pilot said there were none and then ATC warned the plane directly behind us.
It was a little unnerving - not like flying through the snow/sleet squall wasn't bad enough.
Has anyone else experience a "laser" report?
Mar 1, 2009, 1:13 pm
#2
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Green laser? ...? Aliens?
Mar 1, 2009, 1:52 pm
#3
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Mar 1, 2009, 1:55 pm
#4
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I bought a green laser pointer a few years back for presentations (I wanted to be different). It says it is visible from 25 miles away, I just figured it was an advertising gimmick. I once shined it straight up at night outside and could see the beam quite a ways up, but figured it would dissipate and be so weak long before it ever reached an airplane.
Guess someone could have had one on another plane and was shining it out the window. But its very unlikely a beam would hit another plane, the dot is already 4 inches across on mien after 20 ft. But if they claim is true, the source would be visible to anyone up to 25 miles away.
Guess someone could have had one on another plane and was shining it out the window. But its very unlikely a beam would hit another plane, the dot is already 4 inches across on mien after 20 ft. But if they claim is true, the source would be visible to anyone up to 25 miles away.
Mar 1, 2009, 1:59 pm
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Mar 1, 2009, 2:00 pm
#6
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Hi,
There has been a number of reports about green lasers targetting aircraft on approach to airports here in the UK.
Some details here;
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7641453.stm
Regards
TBS
There has been a number of reports about green lasers targetting aircraft on approach to airports here in the UK.
Some details here;
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7641453.stm
Regards
TBS
Mar 1, 2009, 2:03 pm
#7
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And in SEA last weekend:
Someone shining laser at planes landing at Sea-Tac
Someone shining laser at planes landing at Sea-Tac
Mar 1, 2009, 2:16 pm
#8
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The big issue is it Class II (less than 1mw), IIIa (1-5mw), IIIb(5-500mw) or IV (>500mw). Laser Pointers are not to be more than 5mw in the USA but are available
Mar 1, 2009, 2:25 pm
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Mar 1, 2009, 2:27 pm
#10
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A typically laser pointer (red/green/blue) is more like 1/4 inch at 20 feet (roughly 1mrad spreading).
The big issue is it Class II (less than 1mw), IIIa (1-5mw), IIIb(5-500mw) or IV (>500mw). Laser Pointers are not to be more than 5mw in the USA but are available
The big issue is it Class II (less than 1mw), IIIa (1-5mw), IIIb(5-500mw) or IV (>500mw). Laser Pointers are not to be more than 5mw in the USA but are available
I still use it but don't lend it out as many presenters are careless and sweep the audience with the beam.
Last edited by iluv2fly; Mar 1, 2009 at 2:33 pm Reason: language
Mar 1, 2009, 3:16 pm
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Mar 1, 2009, 3:56 pm
#12
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Hopefully just kids playing around. Unfortunately, I've seen some of these high-powered lasers made avail in Asia pretty easily.
These are not for presentations. They would burn a whole through the screen. =P lol
These are not for presentations. They would burn a whole through the screen. =P lol
Mar 1, 2009, 4:03 pm
#13
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I had Channel 9 on last night before pushback and heard the initial report by UA766 to ATC followed by the warnings to all following flights. I've also heard similar reports when flying into SFO. It's obvious while it may be a case of silly people fooling around, it is taken very seriously by pilots and ATC.
Mar 1, 2009, 4:33 pm
#14
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Lasers, because they only contain one wavelength of light, as opposed to white light, which contains all wavelengths, and that wavelength typically is more "tightly packed" than the various wavelengths of white light, it dissipates less.
Mar 1, 2009, 4:46 pm
#15
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It is taken extremely seriously, and for good reason. High-powered lasers shone into the cockpit can be distracting at a crucial phase of flight, and they can even cause injury to pilots.
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2004...-111356-3924r/
It is taken seriously by law enforcement and the courts as well.
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009...into_airp.html
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2004...-111356-3924r/
It is taken seriously by law enforcement and the courts as well.
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009...into_airp.html