Foolish Laser Dazzlers Put Lives at Risk

The UK Pilots Union (BALPA) has issued a warning that it is only a matter of time before an aircraft crash is caused by people using laser pointers to dazzle airline pilots as they come in to land.

In the UK there has been an increase in the number of reported incidents in which co-pilots have had to take the aircraft controls after the pilot was temporarily blinded by lasers. In recent weeks there have been some potentially fatal incidents reported at Glasgow, Edinburgh, Gatwick and Durham.

Often it is difficult to pinpoint the source of a laser light pointer due to the height of an aircraft. In a recent incident at Durham Tees airport the Police Helicopter was scrambled and a man was located and arrested.

The cheap laser devices, imported primarily from China, can produce intense beams that will reach as far as 37,000 feet. Pilots have warned taht the unusual lights encountered when coming in to land can force them to take evasive action. They have warned that it is only a matter of time before a disaster takes place.

In the past five years there have been over 1000 reported incidents involving lasers in the United States. Anyone caught can face a prison sentence of up to 20 years and a fine of ,000. In America they are considering treating those convicted of this crime as domestic terrorists.

Once recent conviction for this offence in the United Kingdom resulted in a 25 year old Hampshire man receiving a suspended prison sentence and in another a 19 year old man received a 4 month prison sentence. Air safety campaigners have said that these sentences are not tough enough and they are calling for far harsher sentences and fines to be handed down.

When flying from Scotland be sure to book your Glasgow airport parking, your Aberdeen airport parking or your Edinburgh airport parking in advance to get up to 60% off the normal cost.

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