Hit me with those laser beams...

Wing_96 · November 2nd, 2009, 23:49

So, there I was, minding my own business shooting a few practice approaches tonight...and got laser-beamed. The more I thought about it, the more pissed-off I got. I reported it to the tower. I was well within 5 miles of the airport when it happened.

Has this ever happened to y'all? I'm just curious how often this sort of thing happens.

Should I fill out a NASA form?

SpiraMirabilis · November 2nd, 2009, 23:53

Happened once to me in Denver, green kind.

mshunter · November 3rd, 2009, 00:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wing_96

Should I fill out a NASA form?

No, you should drop bomblets.

PilotBeckfizzle · November 3rd, 2009, 00:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpiraMirabilis

Happened once to me in Denver, green kind.

Were you going into APA by chance?

juxtapilot · November 3rd, 2009, 00:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wing_96

So, there I was, minding my own business shooting a few practice approaches tonight...and got laser-beamed. The more I thought about it, the more pissed-off I got. I reported it to the tower. I was well within 5 miles of the airport when it happened.

Has this ever happened to y'all? I'm just curious how often this sort of thing happens.

Should I fill out a NASA form?

I'm surprised the Tower didn't give you a number to call... When I got hit they told me to call the FBI; that the FBI was expecting my phone call.

moxiepilot · November 3rd, 2009, 00:56

yep. really quite annoying when shooting an approach. distracting and blinding

launchpad · November 3rd, 2009, 01:17

It happens so much that people are getting federal prison time for this kind of thing. Every time it happens to me, I try to circle over the site where the laser is coming from until tower can send the police out. Also, call the local police when you get on the ground and they'll get you in touch with the FBI. . . Someone needs to show these punks how dangerous they are...

Douglas · November 3rd, 2009, 01:27

I was flying over DSM the other night and approach starts freaking out about an "unauthorized laser lights show" on a x mile final.

By the time i've transitioned across there airspace an airplane asks about the lasers and approach in a quieter voices says, "it's actually spotlights for a grocery store opening."

orly? an unauthorized grocery store opening? hmmm?

The pilot who reported the laser sounded young, but still should have been able to tell the difference.

And it is high time we start spelling laser with e Z...who is with me?

Clocks · November 3rd, 2009, 01:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Douglas

And it is high time we start spelling laser with e Z...who is with me?

light amplification by ztimulated emission of radiation

?

Douglas · November 3rd, 2009, 01:34

You need to get you head Z-rayed.

Jayrock · November 3rd, 2009, 01:51

This clown is going away for 2.5 years...

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/w...-plane-angeles

Man gets prison for pointing laser at airliners
Dana Welch of Orange was first person to be convicted of laser interference with pilots.
By CITY NEWS SERVICE
Comments 24 | Recommend 6

LOS ANGELES — An Orange County man who aimed a laser beam at two airliners on approach to John Wayne Airport was sentenced Monday in Los Angeles to 2 1/2 years in federal prison for disrupting the flights.

When found guilty in April, Dana Christian Welch, 37, of Orange, was the first person in the nation to be convicted at trial of interfering with pilots by aiming lasers at their planes, federal officials said.

Welch aimed a hand-held laser at two Boeing 7-series jets as the pilots were about to land the aircraft at John Wayne Airport on the night of May 21, 2008, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherilyn Peace Garnett said.

The first plane, a United Airlines jet, was carrying more than 180 passengers and crew members. The second, operated by Alaska Airlines, was carrying more than 80 people.

The laser beam struck a United pilot in the eye, causing "flash blindness," Garnett said.

When Welch pointed the laser at the Alaska plane, one pilot ducked under a glare shield and the other pilot delayed a critical turn necessary to land the plane.

After he was arrested the next day, Welch admitted he had pointed the laser at the planes and a law enforcement helicopter that had been dispatched to investigate the incidents.

A U.S. District Court jury in downtown Los Angeles acquitted Welch of charges that he attempted to interfere with the pilots of the helicopter and a Delta Air Lines flight.

While several people across the country have pleaded guilty to federal charges of pointing lasers at aircraft, Welch was the first to be convicted of interfering with pilots by beaming lasers at their planes, the U.S. Attorney's Office noted.

Welch was also ordered by Senior U.S. District Judge Robert J. Timlin to serve three years of supervised release upon his release from prison, Garnett said.

Douglas · November 3rd, 2009, 02:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayrock

laser at two Boeing 7-series jets .

orly?

JulietBravo · November 3rd, 2009, 02:58

Happened to me last Spring in FSD of all places. I reported it to the tower, they asked for the location in town (I was from there so I was able to give an intersection location) and that was about it, nothing else came from it.

aloft · November 3rd, 2009, 03:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wing_96

Has this ever happened to y'all? I'm just curious how often this sort of thing happens.

No, but I did listen to Frankie Goes To Hollywood in a Holiday Inn Express last night.

PA44-LUV · November 3rd, 2009, 08:51

In the last 6 months, I've heard it happening to 3 or 4 of our C130's. My friend was lasered in a Cessna 152 out at Oakland International a couple weeks ago.

JordanD · November 3rd, 2009, 08:56

This is another reason it should be legal to mount a machine gun+interrupter gear on a Cessna.

sdfcvoh · November 3rd, 2009, 09:04

Experienced it (green) once. Very distracting and blinding. I think mine came from a lazer.

mojo6911 · November 3rd, 2009, 09:21

WTF? They should castrate people like this. They shouldn't be allowed to breed.

scramjet · November 3rd, 2009, 09:37

What the hell are these freaks even thinking?!

But on second thought, it doesn't really surprise me the way society seems to be going. I mean just take a good look around many parts of the internet...stupidity and ignorance everywhere.

Wing_96 · November 3rd, 2009, 10:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by aloft

No, but I did listen to Frankie Goes To Hollywood in a Holiday Inn Express last night.

I wondered if any of you would pick up on that reference...I'm glad it wasn't completely lost.

Wing_96 · November 3rd, 2009, 10:08

I should have called the police. I used to live in the neighborhood where it came from, so I probably could have given a road instersection at least.

Cruise · November 3rd, 2009, 10:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Douglas

orly?

??? Why the orly? What am I missing?

Douglas · November 3rd, 2009, 13:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by JordanD

This is another reason it should be legal to mount a machine gun+interrupter gear on a Cessna.

I think you mean air soft.

It's going to be tight.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruise

??? Why the orly? What am I missing?

Name a boeing airliner that is doing pax service that isn't in the 7 series.

JumpWake · November 3rd, 2009, 13:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wing_96

Should I fill out a NASA form?

YES!

ComplexHiAv8r · November 3rd, 2009, 15:14

Heard on the news today a Continetal Express (not sure who) got on in CLE.

November 2nd, 2009, 23:49	#1
Wing_96 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 222	Hit me with those laser beams... So, there I was, minding my own business shooting a few practice approaches tonight...and got laser-beamed. The more I thought about it, the more pissed-off I got. I reported it to the tower. I was well within 5 miles of the airport when it happened. Has this ever happened to y'all? I'm just curious how often this sort of thing happens. Should I fill out a NASA form?

November 2nd, 2009, 23:53	#2
SpiraMirabilis Old Skool Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,345 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Hit me with those laser beams... Happened once to me in Denver, green kind. __________________ Yet Another Freight Puppy*

November 3rd, 2009, 00:56	#6
moxiepilot Old Skool Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: CFI / CFII in PA Posts: 4,054	Re: Hit me with those laser beams... yep. really quite annoying when shooting an approach. distracting and blinding __________________ http://www.yinglingjewelry.com - help support a flight instructor Try? No, there is only do...or do not. There is no try.

November 3rd, 2009, 01:17	#7
launchpad Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 656	Re: Hit me with those laser beams... It happens so much that people are getting federal prison time for this kind of thing. Every time it happens to me, I try to circle over the site where the laser is coming from until tower can send the police out. Also, call the local police when you get on the ground and they'll get you in touch with the FBI. . . Someone needs to show these punks how dangerous they are...

November 3rd, 2009, 01:27	#8
Douglas Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: The Good Life. Posts: 2,264	Re: Hit me with those laser beams... I was flying over DSM the other night and approach starts freaking out about an "unauthorized laser lights show" on a x mile final. By the time i've transitioned across there airspace an airplane asks about the lasers and approach in a quieter voices says, "it's actually spotlights for a grocery store opening." orly? an unauthorized grocery store opening? hmmm? The pilot who reported the laser sounded young, but still should have been able to tell the difference. And it is high time we start spelling laser with e Z...who is with me? __________________ EYE/ Double EYE/ Multi EYE/ GOLDEN-EYE Instructor---> Full Time Charter pilot-> Part Time Legend-----> Spare Time. Student pilot guide

November 3rd, 2009, 01:34	#10
Douglas Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: The Good Life. Posts: 2,264	Re: Hit me with those laser beams... You need to get you head Z-rayed. __________________ EYE/ Double EYE/ Multi EYE/ GOLDEN-EYE Instructor---> Full Time Charter pilot-> Part Time Legend-----> Spare Time. Student pilot guide

November 3rd, 2009, 01:51	#11
Jayrock Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orange County Posts: 228	Re: Hit me with those laser beams... This clown is going away for 2.5 years... http://www.ocregister.com/articles/w...-plane-angeles Man gets prison for pointing laser at airliners Dana Welch of Orange was first person to be convicted of laser interference with pilots. By CITY NEWS SERVICE Comments 24 \| Recommend 6 LOS ANGELES — An Orange County man who aimed a laser beam at two airliners on approach to John Wayne Airport was sentenced Monday in Los Angeles to 2 1/2 years in federal prison for disrupting the flights. When found guilty in April, Dana Christian Welch, 37, of Orange, was the first person in the nation to be convicted at trial of interfering with pilots by aiming lasers at their planes, federal officials said. Welch aimed a hand-held laser at two Boeing 7-series jets as the pilots were about to land the aircraft at John Wayne Airport on the night of May 21, 2008, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherilyn Peace Garnett said. The first plane, a United Airlines jet, was carrying more than 180 passengers and crew members. The second, operated by Alaska Airlines, was carrying more than 80 people. The laser beam struck a United pilot in the eye, causing "flash blindness," Garnett said. When Welch pointed the laser at the Alaska plane, one pilot ducked under a glare shield and the other pilot delayed a critical turn necessary to land the plane. After he was arrested the next day, Welch admitted he had pointed the laser at the planes and a law enforcement helicopter that had been dispatched to investigate the incidents. A U.S. District Court jury in downtown Los Angeles acquitted Welch of charges that he attempted to interfere with the pilots of the helicopter and a Delta Air Lines flight. While several people across the country have pleaded guilty to federal charges of pointing lasers at aircraft, Welch was the first to be convicted of interfering with pilots by beaming lasers at their planes, the U.S. Attorney's Office noted. Welch was also ordered by Senior U.S. District Judge Robert J. Timlin to serve three years of supervised release upon his release from prison, Garnett said.

November 3rd, 2009, 02:58	#13
JulietBravo Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SoDak Posts: 261	Re: Hit me with those laser beams... Happened to me last Spring in FSD of all places. I reported it to the tower, they asked for the location in town (I was from there so I was able to give an intersection location) and that was about it, nothing else came from it. __________________ CMEL/CSEL/CFI/CFII/MEI CE-500 SIC Type 141 University Instructor Though I fly through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil, for I am at 80,000 feet and climbing.

November 3rd, 2009, 08:51	#15
PA44-LUV Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Falls Church, VA Posts: 127	Re: Hit me with those laser beams... In the last 6 months, I've heard it happening to 3 or 4 of our C130's. My friend was lasered in a Cessna 152 out at Oakland International a couple weeks ago. __________________ I can haz airplane!

November 3rd, 2009, 08:56	#16
JordanD Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: LUHLVUHL! (Louisville) Posts: 1,005	Re: Hit me with those laser beams... This is another reason it should be legal to mount a machine gun+interrupter gear on a Cessna. __________________

November 3rd, 2009, 09:04	#17
sdfcvoh Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tucson Posts: 1,357	Re: Hit me with those laser beams... Experienced it (green) once. Very distracting and blinding. I think mine came from a lazer. __________________ "More interesting than the XX man."

November 3rd, 2009, 09:21	#18
mojo6911 Old Skool Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: GKY Posts: 3,388	Re: Hit me with those laser beams... WTF? They should castrate people like this. They shouldn't be allowed to breed.

November 3rd, 2009, 09:37	#19
scramjet Old Skool Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Pittsburgh Area Posts: 2,432	Re: Hit me with those laser beams... What the hell are these freaks even thinking?! But on second thought, it doesn't really surprise me the way society seems to be going. I mean just take a good look around many parts of the internet...stupidity and ignorance everywhere. __________________ Proud Penn Stater

November 3rd, 2009, 10:08	#21
Wing_96 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 222	Re: Hit me with those laser beams... I should have called the police. I used to live in the neighborhood where it came from, so I probably could have given a road instersection at least.

November 3rd, 2009, 15:14	#25
ComplexHiAv8r Old Skool Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: I'm not colorblind, but what am I?? Posts: 5,104	Re: Hit me with those laser beams... Heard on the news today a Continetal Express (not sure who) got on in CLE. __________________ THIS PLACE FOR RENT

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