Propping Up the Falling Bar

Contrary to convention and the collective opinion of the world’s feline population, high-powered laser pointers are not toys. In addition to wreaking irreparable retinal damage, such devices are eminently capable of incapacitating pilots at the controls of airliners bearing hundreds of human lives.

The number of reported instances involving the aiming of lasers at U.S. aircraft hit a record high in 2021—rising 42% over the previous year to a deplorable and worrying total of 9,273 incidents. In 2022, that total surpassed 9,500.

The FAA puts forth in both regulation and public announcements that intentionally aiming lasers at aircraft poses a safety threat to pilots and violates federal law. “Many high-powered lasers can incapacitate pilots flying aircraft that may be carrying hundreds of passengers," the agency asserts—albeit to insufficient effect.

The FAA loudly trumpets its authority to issue fines of up to $11,000 per laser-related violation; yet in 2021 the agency levied a scant $120,000 in such fines—a sum that represents less than 0.12% of the $102,003,000 that might have been collected had every reported laser-crime perpetrator been arraigned.

To combat the growing threat of endemic stupidity, Acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen has written a letter requesting laser manufacturers add warning labels to their packaging for purpose of alerting especially dim consumers of the safety risks inherent, and the federal laws applicable to laser devices.

Acting Administrator Nolen writes:

Dear Laser Manufacturers and Distributors:

Many technologies and scientific advances are a net-good. While capturing their capability to improve the world, we are required to mitigate any risks they pose. Lasers are no different. 

Lasers may seem like just a toy, office tool, or game for most, but they can incapacitate pilots putting thousands of passengers at risk every year. We need your help to combat this serious issue. The FAA requests that you add a warning label to your packaging to make consumers aware of the safety risks and federal laws when using lasers. The message below would achieve this:

“Pointing a laser at an aircraft threatens pilots, and it is a federal crime. U.S. law enforcement agencies and the Federal Aviation Administration may seek criminal and civil prosecution against violators. Don’t shine this laser at aircraft.” 

Placing information directly in the hands of individuals ensures everyone knows the risk – and the penalties – of pointing lasers at aircraft. If you already have a warning on your packaging, the FAA asks that your company increase the warning’s prominence. 

Pilots reported around 9,500 laser strikes to the FAA in 2022, and 278 pilots have reported an injury from a laser strike to the FAA since 2010. To learn more about the dangers of laser strikes, you can view the FAA’s visualization tool, which shows laser-strike data from 2010 to 2022. You can also watch a video about the dangers of lasers or visit FAA’s website and fact sheet for more information.

Together, we can decrease this risk to aviation that remains too high.

Sincerely,

Billy Nolen
Acting FAA Administrator

Human beings get up to all sorts of mischief, some of it harmless, some of it decidedly not so. Alas, the borderlands separating mischief and crime are poorly delineated, and the notion of harmlessness is decidedly and dangerously subjective.

FMI: www.laserpointersafety.com