Expands Laser Eye Protection Program (LEPP) For Greater Safety

Night Flight Concepts has responded recent FAA reports of a record number of laser strike incidents in 2010 by announcing at Heli-Expo 2011 the expansion of their new Laser Eye Protection Program to help aircraft operators improve safety and prevent the risk of eye damage.

On January 18th, the FAA reported that the number of incidences of laser strikes into cockpits has continued to trend upwards, growing to a record number in 2010. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood was quoted outlining the severity of this problem: “This is a serious safety issue,” he asserted. “Lasers can distract and harm pilots who are working to get passengers safely to their destinations.” Known effects of laser light irradiation on an aircrew can range from mild to severe. Transient visual effects can include loss of situational awareness, to startle or temporary “flash” blindness to stinging and tearing. Longer-term effects can include retinal damage.

In response to this growing safety concern, Night Flight Concepts recently joined forces with Delta P – a consulting company specializing in aerospace physiology – to develop an expanded Laser Eye Protection Program (LEPP). The LEPP is a timely and cutting edge training program to teach aircrew members the capabilities, limitations and preventative measures required to respond to a laser strike. The program addresses the need for education about laser strikes and covers mitigation techniques most effective in the public safety sector of aviation. Upon completion of the program, students have a sound understanding of the affects of lasing, methods for mitigating the problem and recommendations for safety management systems, including mandatory requirements for pilot/crew retinal scans to establish vision performance baselines.

Night Flight Concepts has posted industry and government information on laser strikes, the LEPP training and support information to its website – the new online resource site for Night Vision Goggle (NVG) safety and education. Information will soon be posted to the new, associated resource site, LaserStrikeProtection.com designed to help organizations understand, and respond to, the laser strike issues.

FMI: www.nvgsafety.com, www.nightflightconcepts.com