Laser 'cluster' attack in Sydney

[Nigel C]

Time to up the penalties

Laser 'cluster' attack on Sydney plans
March 30, 2008 12:32am

Laser beams focused on incoming flights
Cluster attack is 'unprecedented' authorities say
Attacks are increasing

SIX planes had to alter their flight paths into Sydney airport after pilots were targeted in an unprecedented laser "cluster attack', authorities say.

Air traffic controllers had to close one flight approach late on Friday, after up to four people targeted planes with lasers in an apparently co-ordinated attack.

Pilots reported a number of green lasers were trained on their planes for about 15 minutes, from 10.30pm (AEDT).

The lasers appeared to have originated from the Bexley area, in south-western Sydney.

"This was the worst attack in our experience," Air Services Australia spokesman Bryan Nicholson has told Fairfax News.

"It was described by the pilots as a cluster attack which implies some sort of co-ordination or organisation."

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) said such laser attacks on planes were increasing in frequency.

"There are five to six reports every week around Australia," CASA spokesman Peter Gibson told Fairfax.

"It is extremely dangerous as it can temporarily blind a pilot or distract them as they are coming in to land."

The maximum penalty for shining a laser at a plane is two years in jail.

[Nick W.]

Good post, Nigel.

It's a very hard thing to police, obviously, but in reality when will it stop? When the worst case scenario eventuates or when these idiots get bored? Hopefully the latter comes sooner.

It made the front page of the herald today, and is on the news tonight as a headline story.

Nick

[Lukas M]

The Laser incident was on News before, and these Lasers seem very easy to get hold of on the net, thousands of them available

[Nigel C]

The State Government is now talking about banning them in NSW.

Nothing like shutting the gate after the horse has bolted!

[Raymond Rowe]

Then incomes the Black Market.They will never be stopped from coming over the border or being sold under the counter.

[Liz E]

Is there any form of eye protection similar to welding goggles that could be donned by pilots in these situations? I agree that it's too late to do anything about the laser light weilding ferals but politicians do so enjoy enacting futile legislation when in knee-jerk mode.

[Simon Hoby]

The State Government is now talking about banning them in NSW.

Nothing like shutting the gate after the horse has bolted!

Yep, just like radar and speed gun detectors. You can ban something, but there is nothing to stop thrid party sales, getting one on ebay or driving up the road to QLD or the ACT and getting one there.

[D Chan]

I'm just worried that the latest 'Laser cluster' reports on news will spark even more laser attacks because idiots out there might've otherwise never think of doing such things and give this a try

[Montague S]

I can't believe that 9msn did a poll on laser lights and most said they SHOULD be imported...

I guess if its keeping them off the black-market then we might not have a choice, outlawing them will force the trade underground.

[Adrian B]

Surely they can differentiate between keyring lasers, 'whiteboard' lasers and high powered scope type. Apart from fitting to guns, agriculture / construction and surveying, you would be hard pressed to find a legit reason for a laser that emits a dangerous light to an aircraft on finals at 1000'.