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Christmas "Lazy Lights" Causing Safety Issue For Pilots
Just when you thought the world couldn't get any lazier with decorating for the holidays, here come the Lazy Lights. I mean laser lights. The idea seems brilliant, unless you're aiming them to the sky. And even then it just shows your neighbors how lazy you are when it comes to getting out and into the holiday spirit. (www.cbsnews.com) More...
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Though they are not as bad as a high powered laser they still disorientate you. I have been struck twice this week and realized these holiday lights are to blame.
I live on an airpark and have them on my house. But, they are firmly positioned to shine on the house and not up, never crossing the roofline. They can be dangerous from the air if improperly installed. Just pulling out of my garage in the car, I've caught the beam in my view. Would hate if it shined while turning base to final.
We have had a couple of local private pilots also report on these lasers, and one issue with them is that they are LOW intensity lasers, as opposed to the HIGH intensity ones that have been blinding the pilots. These will still be reported by some of the pilots, especially civilian, but are not as dangerous, and should not cause any major problems with commercial aircraft.
Yes, this is a huge problem! I was on a night on Sunday, and I got temporarily blinded by these. Be alert, protect us and your record. Pointing lasers at an airplane is a felony!
"If the box is aimed a little high, some of the laser light will not hit the roof of the house," said Lynn Lunsford of the Federal Aviation Administration. "It'll just keep going off into space."
You know, I wouldn't count on seeing these from the ISS (space station).
Let's face it: any light, bright enough and focused sufficiently, can be distracting, disorienting or cause SOME loss of (night) vision.
ALL pilots should consider the possibility of encountering distracting illumination while flying--especially close to the ground or in hostile territory--and use personal mitigation techniques to counter the threat. Example: don't stare at the light source trying to pinpoint the location, use the dash/visor/hat/map to block the offending light, discontinue maneuvering and try another approach--possibly from a different direction/runway/downwind.
I'm not preaching, but the real risks and hazards (there certainly are some) get buried and overwhelmed by nuisance/low-impact reports. Research how many of these reports are for 'white lasers.' (footnote: white lasers now exist in the laboratory! only)
You know, I wouldn't count on seeing these from the ISS (space station).
Let's face it: any light, bright enough and focused sufficiently, can be distracting, disorienting or cause SOME loss of (night) vision.
ALL pilots should consider the possibility of encountering distracting illumination while flying--especially close to the ground or in hostile territory--and use personal mitigation techniques to counter the threat. Example: don't stare at the light source trying to pinpoint the location, use the dash/visor/hat/map to block the offending light, discontinue maneuvering and try another approach--possibly from a different direction/runway/downwind.
I'm not preaching, but the real risks and hazards (there certainly are some) get buried and overwhelmed by nuisance/low-impact reports. Research how many of these reports are for 'white lasers.' (footnote: white lasers now exist in the laboratory! only)
The light pattern is round. Unless you live in geodesic dome, some light is going to miss the house. These lights are sold out this year. Many more to come for next year. My prediction is that next Christmas people will be using drones to disable them. Going to be a joyous holiday season next year!
