4.3 Aviation Security

 Laser Pointers as a threat to aviation security

Laser pointers have been an emerging threat to the aviation industry in the last couple of years. These pointers have gained popularity among people who want to play small jokes with family or friends, which is still fine. The problem starts when these people start using the lasers to bother pilots, especially in critical phases of flight such as takeoff and landing. What starts as a simple joke can lead to catastrophic events, such as an accident. The laser pointers will cause the pilot to go temporarily blind, creating a hazard for the airplane's occupants as well as people on the ground.

Since the FAA started tracking laser pointers incidents in 2010, there have been 67,558 incidents reported, with a 250% increase in recent years. The FAA received 9,723 reports from laser pointers in 2021, the highest number ever. This is just showing us that society is not conscious enough of the risks that are involved in using these pointers.

Nowadays, if someone is caught using a laser pointer on an airplane they are violating federal law and may end up going to prison. 14 CFR 91.11 states that "no person may assault, threaten, intimidate, or interfere with a crewmember in the performance of the crewmember's duties aboard an aircraft being operated". Even the FBI is now involved, offering a reward of $120,000 to anyone who reports a laser pointer incident. In 2008, a man from California was sentenced to 2 years in prison for aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft.

Even though the government and the FAA are actively trying to reduce the amount of laser pointer incidents, these strategies are not enough to mitigate this threat. Hopefully, we don't have to wait for a tragedy for society to react to this problem, but if we don't take action it will happen sooner or later. Education should be provided to every person about these risks, and if this is not enough, more actions (such as banning laser pointers) should be taken.

References

FBI. (2014, February 11). FBI pilots new reward program aimed at deterring laser strikes. FBI. Retrieved August 29, 2022, from https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/news/pressrel/press-releases/fbi-pilots-new-reward-program-aimed-at-deterring-laser-strikes

Laser Hazards & Effects. Laser Hazards & Effects | Federal Aviation Administration. (n.d.). Retrieved August 29, 2022, from https://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/lasers/hazards

Laser incidents. Laser Incidents | Federal Aviation Administration. (n.d.). Retrieved August 29, 2022, from https://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/lasers/laws#:~:text=The%20FAA%20reported%209%2C723%20laser,reported%20number%20of%20incidents%20ever.&text=Laser%20strikes%20on%20aircraft%20remain,pilots%20and%20violates%20federal%20law.

Laser Laws & Enforcement. Laser Laws & Enforcement | Federal Aviation Administration. (n.d.). Retrieved August 29, 2022, from https://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/lasers/law_enforcement_guidance

Laser pointer safety - never aim laser pointers at Aircraft. Home. (n.d.). Retrieved August 29, 2022, from https://www.laserpointersafety.com/laser-hazards_aircraft/laser-hazards_aircraft.html

Laser Safety. Laser Safety | Federal Aviation Administration. (n.d.). Retrieved August 29, 2022, from https://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/lasers

Legal Information Institute. (n.d.). 14 CFR § 91.11 - prohibition on interference with crewmembers. Legal Information Institute. Retrieved August 29, 2022, from https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/91.11