Baltic Aviation Academy Reports on Trending Lasers Attacks on Pilots

Baltic Aviation Academy (BAA) points out that laser attacks into the cockpit (while the aircrafts are landing) are being trending in Europe during 2011. According to experts, the major advice for pilots distracted by laser interferences is staying calm, concentrating on aircraft devices, and if needed, referring to the non-flying pilot in the cockpit.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced there were 2,733 laser strikes till Oct. 13, 2011 in the USA. The pace threatens to eclipse the 2,836 incidents for all of 2010. Throughout 2010 there were 102% laser incidents more than those in 2009 in UK, 47% more in Sweden, 30% in Norway, 727% more in Germany, announced at Laser Interference Seminar 2011, held on 10th-11th of October in Brussels, Belgium.

Considering rising laser interference, Baltic Aviation Academy encourages students not to be afraid of the trend by staying calm. “Lazer interference is a potential hazard to aircraft safety as pilots become distracted. Still, there are two pilots in the cockpit, “pilot-flying” and “pilot not-flying” working together as well as the air traffic controllers provide the information on spotted laser lights. The laser attack can be controlled by simply protecting their eyes by hand while concentrating on particular aircraft devices. For those, who are really distracted, the option of going around and landing on the second time is also a safety-bringing possibility”, commented Vytautas Stankevicius Head of training at Baltic Aviation Academy.

Participator at Laser Interference Seminar Jurgita Jazdauskiene, Lithuanian Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Chief specialist of Flight Operations Division, informed that lasers attacks issue at seminar Laser Interference Seminar 2011 were discussed in detail. “Participants agreed that it is a huge global issue and procedures for dealing with laser interference are necessary. It is needed to legitimate the use of various lasers, alerting processes to the authorities have to be defined, as well as guidance material for decision-making is required. Also, a possible way ahead is a special dealing with laser lights training for pilots and air traffic controllers”, said CAA of Lithuania representative Jurgita Jazdauskiene.

A man from California was sentenced to 30 months in prison in 2009 for pointing a laser at a plane, reports Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  According to FBI, the case was the first U.S. trial conviction on federal charges against pointing a laser at planes. A handful of European states already have implemented state regulations on laser interference. European Union should develop stringent regulation on the production, distribution, purchase, carriage and use of lasers, concluded at Laser Interference Seminar 2011.