Laser Attacks On Civilian Jets

Laser Attacks On Civilian Jets

During the last year Czech civilian pilots reported at least seven cases of laser attacks on jets landing or taking off at Ruzyne International airport in Prague. As Karel Muendel, a representative of CSA's association of transport pilots, informed ČTK Czech pilots demand that such an abuse of laser devices must be prohibited.

According to Mr. Muendel at the moment such misdeeds cannot be punished by the existing legislation. Meanwhile, such laser attacks poses a real threat to civil jets. He explained: "It rests in spotlighting planes with laser devices of a relatively high intensity of light, usually movable, which have a disturbing effect. Not only they can dazzle the crew of a landing or taking-off plane, but can seriously and irreversibly damage the retina if they directly hit the eye."

The above mentioned CSA representative also added: "It ensues from the pilots' testimonies that the offender used a laser of the 3rd class at least, that can set paper on fire at a distance of two kilometres." At the moment in the Czech Republic such devices can be bought freely without any restrictions.

CSA experts on flight security concluded that an attack on a civil jet with use of a laser generating device creates real threat to passengers and pilot crews. If a laser beam hits a pilot directly into an eye, it dazzkes and disorients him for several seconds which can cause loss of control over a jet. In the worst case, a laser beam can seriously damage pilot’s eyesight.
 

Date: 04.02.2010