Laser strikes have increased to a “dangerously high rate” at airports across the U.S., according to federal aviation authorities, putting pilots in cockpits of aircraft from wide-body airlines to Cessnas potentially at risk.
Laser Strikes Up In U.S. Airports
Key Takeaways:
- Laser strikes on aircraft have reached a "dangerously high rate," with incidents increasing by nearly 12% in 2020 and 148% over the past decade, posing significant safety risks to pilots and passengers.
- These strikes, often occurring at low altitudes during critical flight phases like landing, can temporarily blind pilots, illuminate cockpits, and potentially contribute to catastrophic events.
- The surge is attributed to the widespread availability of inexpensive, powerful lasers and a lack of public awareness regarding the severe dangers and federal penalties associated with pointing them at aircraft.
- While the FAA provides guidelines for pilots to mitigate the impact of laser strikes, current communication campaigns are not effectively reaching the general public responsible for these incidents.
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