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."