www.esryle.comLOCAL NEWS ACROSS THE NATION
Posted on 12/29/2004 1:24:44 PM PST by esryle
CLEVELAND -- The FBI is investigating a laser light beam that was directed into the cockpit of a commercial airliner landing in Cleveland.
The FBI says the airplane arriving from Washington, D.C. on Monday was about 15 miles from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport when a green laser shined inside the cockpit.
The plane was traveling 300 mph at 8,500 to 10,000 feet.
The light came from a residential area in suburban Warrensville Heights. The FBI is investigating whether it was a prank or whether there was another motive.
There have been several incidents throughout the United States in the past year of laser lights directed at commercial flights. The lights can distract or temporarily blind a pilot.
None of the lights has affected the flight of any aircraft or injured the pilots.
Federal Aviation Administration regulations mandate that laser light shows must register their locations and the lights cannot be directed above 3,000 feet.
It is against federal regulations to intentionally shine a laser beam at a commercial flight.
Anyone who has information which could help identify the person or people responsible for shining the laser on Monday should call the FBI at (216) 522-1400.
How does one shine a laser light into an airplane traveling 300-500 mph while its in the air??????
$10,000 fine and ten years in prison for possession.
So what kind of lazer makes a green beam? That would seem less than ordinary.
OTOH, cheap laser pointers can be had at any office supply store (most are red) and this could become more common.
I really don't know how a person could shine a laser pointer at an object several miles away moving at 300+ mph. I have a small laser pointer and when I shine it only a couple hundred yards onto a tree in my backyard, it is darn near impossible to keep the target steady.
Used mainly by astronomy lectures outside . great pointer at night.
Terrorists testing a targeting system?
Aren't lasers also used for targeting?
Many astronomers (amateur to pro) have green pointer lasers that they use to "point" to stars in the sky. They're amazing little devices and help out greatly in identification and telescope pointing.
Ok--so I go to Staples and get a laser...set myself up in the direction that the plane is landing and point away???
this is perplexing, it seems that it would be very difficult to actually get the laser in the cockpit window......
I'd like to find a laser pointer that has an effective range of well over a mile, like that one in Cleveland. I bet it goes right through clouds, too! It could revolutionize my board room presentations.
Probably just a couple of Grays playing a prank.
Why, a Green LASER of course!
It's also agin the law for Koranimals to fly planes into buildings, but somehow, that didn't stop 'em.
Were the lasers attached to the heads of freakin' sharks?
But what good would something like that be if Federal regulations don't allow such use... (as the story implies, but then it is a news story so who knows how reliable it is...)
Isn't there a 180 mph speed limit within controlled airspace around a major airport?
Military are mostly infrared.
Also, the laser light appears to get somewhat diffused the farther away the target is.
Methinks that this is not your average laser pointer.
Phasers on stun, Mr. Worf....
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