[AdamSelene235]

Path loss does not go up with an increase in power level until the air ionizes.

Air doesnt ionize in the near IR until well into the gigawatt regime. I work at megawatt intensities in air all the time.

That level of energy is huge. You'd vaporize the pilot at those power levels...

No, it would make an annoying spark on his skin, like getting whacked with a rubber band (high peak power, not energy). Much lower levels than this will cause eye damage.

[DB]

My point was if you have a laser that is operating continuously at energy levels anywhere near ionizing the air the pilot, airplane and whatever else would have a nice vaporized void where it hit. Being continuous the energy and power levels would be VERY high.