FAA/DOT Issues Statement, Advisory Circular (We Have The Link For You)

Wind Shear, Wake Turbulence, Convective Storms. What's the next hazard to the safety of your next flight? How about, some jerk with a laser?

While law enforcement tackles the jerks, the FAA and DOT have determined that it makes sense to handle the laser threat much like the others are currently handled: pilots are expected to report, and to be advised of, laser illumination of civil aircraft.

Wednesday at FAA Headquarters in Oklahoma City, Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta announced new procedures to mitigate any laser threat, and to ensure that those responsible are deterred or caught. Mineta said that all known incidents so far have stemmed from the dumb-stunt range of human behavior, and that there is no indication of terrorist involvement. But he stressed that whatever the pranksters' intentions, the hazard that they create is real, and he assured the public that the Government does not make light of the problem.

"We are treating lasers in the cockpit as a serious aviation safety matter," the Secretary said.

"We must act now before someone’s reckless actions lead to a terrible and tragic incident." He also spoke directly to those abusing the lasers: "Shining these lasers at an airplane is not a harmless prank. It is stupid and dangerous. You are putting other people at risk, and law enforcement authorities are going to seek you out, and if they catch you, they are going to prosecute you."

While public attention only recently focused on laser-illumination incidents, due to a massive increase in reported incidents since December, Mineta (below) noted that they are not new. There have been 400 reported cases since 1990, and it is possible (even likely) that more incidents have happened and were not reported before the current increase in public interest in the phenomenon.

The policy, which is described in Advisory Circular 70.2, is fundamentally common sense: pilots should steer clear of reported laser activity. Those who experience laser illumination should not look at the laser, and should immediately advise controllers. ATC in turn will report the incident to other responsible government agencies, and to other aircraft in the area via direct broadcasts and ATIS. The phrase that you may hear is, "unauthorized laser illumination event." This is not much different from the way wind shear, for example, is handled, except of course that no one calls out the FBI to question and arrest the wind shear.

In addition, the Circular provides a questionnaire, which pilots who have been laser-illuminated are encouraged to fill out and fax to the FAA. (Someone ought to tell the Secretary about this Internet thing....)

The Circular also notes that, "Research is also underway... on technological solutions for enhancing aircrew safety during laser incidents. Additional mitigation procedures will be disseminated when they become available."

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.faa.gov/newsroom/AC_70-2.pdf