Laser%20Illumination%20of%20Pilots%20in%20the%20National%20Airspace%20System - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Title: Laser%20Illumination%20of%20Pilots%20in%20the%20National%20Airspace%20System


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Laser Illumination of Pilots in the National
Airspace System
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What is a Laser?
Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission
of Radiation
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Lasers in Vision Care
The excimer lasers removes tissue from the
corneas internal layers.
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Lasers demonstrations are used to attract and
entertain the public at special events, theme
parks, and casinos.
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Defense Lasers
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Other Outdoor Lasers

• Deep Space Communications
• Near-earth Object Imaging
• Astronomy
• Geographic Research
• Atmospheric Research

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FAA Order 7400.2 Procedures for Handling Airspace
Matters, Part 6. Miscellaneous Procedures,
Chapter 29 Outdoor Laser Operations.
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FAA Laser Policy

• Prior to 1995, the FAA policy limited laser
  exposure within the Nominal Ocular Hazard
  Distance (NOHD) in navigable airspace to less
  than the Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) that
  can result in tissue damage.

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Exceeding the MPE (Maximum Permissible Exposure)
Wavelength Effects lt300 nm Corneal
photokeratitis. 300 - 400 nm Photochemical UV
cataract. 400 - 780 nm Photochemical and
thermal retinal injury. 780 - 1400 nm
Cataract, retinal burns. 1400 - 3000 nm Corneal
burn, IR cataract. gt3000 nm Corneal burn.
NOTE Optical gain of the eye is about 105. In
the retinal hazard region (400 1400 nm),
irradiance of 1 mW/cm2 entering the eye is
increased to 100 W/cm2 at the retina.
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lt MPE Illumination Temporary Visual Impairment

• Glare Obscuration of an object in a person's
  field of vision due to a bright light source near
  the same line-of sight (e.g., oncoming car
  headlights).
• Flashblindness A visual interference effect
  that persists after the source of illumination
  has ceased.
• Afterimage A reverse contrast shadow image left
  in the visual field after an exposure to a bright
  light that may persist for several minutes.

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FDA Laser Regulation
Since 1976, the Food and Drug Administrations
(FDAs), Center for Devices and Radiological
Health (CDRH) has regulated the manufacturers of
all laser devices sold in the U.S. under Title 21
CFR Parts 1010 1040. These devices include
lasers used to conduct outdoor laser light shows
(demonstrations).
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CDRH Regulations
The manufacturer must certify that a laser
products performance meets applicable CDRH
performance standards and provide labeling to
indicate compliance and laser hazard
classification.
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FAA Involvement

• In late 1995, the FAA received reports of 52
  incidents of aircraft illuminations from laser
  lights in or near Las Vegas. Of these, 11
  incidents resulted in temporary visual impairment
  of flight crewmembers, and 24 took place during
  critical phases of flight.

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• NTSB Report LAX96IA032
• A Southwest Airlines First Officer (FO) was
  visually incapacitated on departure from Las
  Vegas. The captain assumed control of the
  aircraft. The FO experienced eye pain and was
  temporarily blinded in the right eye. Inability
  to see lasted for 30 seconds (10/95).

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At the FAAs request, the FDA issued a moratorium
ceasing all outdoor laser activities in the Las
Vegas area on Dec. 11, 1995. Government and
laser industry representatives met to develop
appropriate guidelines.
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FAA Order 7400.2 was revised to establish zones
of navigable airspace around airports to protect
flight crewmembers from temporary visual
impairment during critical flight operations.
Available online athttp//www.faa.gov/airports_a
irtraffic/air_traffic/publications/at_orders/media
/AIR.pdf
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FAA Order 7400.2 FLIGHT ZONES
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FAA Order 7400.2 FLIGHT ZONES
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Potential Visual Effects vary with Laser Power
and Distance from Source
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FAA Responsibilities

• FAA Order 7400.2 requires the FAA to conduct an
  aeronautical study for purposed outdoor laser
  activities to determine the potential effects
  upon aircraft operations.
• FAA issues a letter of determination (Objection
  or Non-Objection).

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Research was needed to validate the newly
established exposure limits were adequate to
ensure aviation safety for pilots in a cockpit
environment.
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FAA/USAF Flight Simulator Study
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Effects of Laser Illumination on Operational and
Visual Performance of Pilots Conducting Terminal
Operations

• 34 Subjects
• 12 Approach and 4 Departure Maneuvers
• Frequency Doubled NdYAG (532 nm) Laser
• 4 Levels of Laser Exposure (included one zero
  level exposure)

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FAA 737 Flight Simulator View of final approach
to runway at 100 feet AGL
Kodak DC240, aperture f/2.8, shutter speed 1/6 s
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Irradiance level 0.5 µW/cm2
Simulates the effect of a 5 mW green laser
pointer as seen from 3,000 feet away, or a 300 mW
laser from 16,000 feet away
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Irradiance level 5 µW/cm2
Simulates the effect of a 5 mW green laser
pointer as seen from 1,000 feet away, or a 300 mW
laser from 6,700 feet away
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Irradiance level 50 µW/cm2
Simulates the effect of a 5 mW green laser
pointer as seen from 330 feet away, or a 300 mW
laser from 2,400 feet away
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Results of the simulator study indicated that the
changes made to FAA Order 7400.2 were adequate to
protect aviators from visual impairment in the
Critical and Laser-Free Zones around airports.
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Office of Aerospace Medicine Technical Reports
Available at http//www.faa.gov/library/reports/m
edical/oamtechreports/index.cfm
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Guidance for Laser Proponents and Regulatory
Personnel Include
SAE Aerospace Recommended Practice and Aerospace
Standard Reports

• ARP 5535 Observers for Laser Safety in the
  Navigable Airspace
• ARP 5572 Control Measures for Laser Safety in
  Navigable Airspace
• AS 4970 Human Factors Considerations for
  Outdoor Laser Operations in the Navigable Airspace

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• American National Standards
• Institute (ANSI)
• ANSI Z136.1- American National Standard for Safe
  Use of Lasers
• ANSI Z136.6- American National Standard for Safe
  Use of Lasers Outdoors
• International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
  
• SARP (Standard and Recommended Practice)
• Manual on Laser Emitters and Flight Safety

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Laser Pointers A New Dilemma
As incidents associated with laser displays
declined, the increased availability and
popularity of handheld lasers presented an
increasing threat to aviators. Between 1 January
2004 and 31 January 2005, there were 90 reports
of laser illumination. More importantly, 93
occurred in the last 3 months of the study
period.
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In recent years, more powerful handheld lasers
have become affordable. Green lasers are
especially popular because they can appear up to
35 times brighter than some red laser pointers
with similar output power.
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Green laser pointers are now responsible for gt
86 of aircraft lazing incidents. Their light
(532 nm) is near the human eyes peak photopic
and scotopic sensitivity.
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Laser Pointers on Steroids
Class 3B handheld lasers are available on the
Internet. Within the NOHD, momentary exposure (
0.25 s) can cause eye damage.
Wavelengths 405, 473, 532, 635, 650 nm Power
output 5 400 mW Range up to 20 miles
.

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DOT Secretary Announces New Policy
On January 12, 2005, Secretary of Transportation,
Norman Mineta, announced the publication of a new
Advisory Circular, entitled Reporting of Laser
Illumination of Aircraft (AC No 70-02).
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Advisory Circular AC 70-02
New FAA policy (AC 70-02) was established to
protect aircrews and passengers, improve
reporting and enforcement, and to discourage
future laser incidents.
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Since Issuance of AC 70-02

• The reporting process has improved,
• Communication and coordination between local air
  traffic authorities and law enforcement have been
  enhanced, and
• Arrests of perpetrators have increased.

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The Frequency of Laser Incidents by Year
Reports of illumination incidents for both the
aircraft and, more importantly, the cockpit, have
increased dramatically from 2004 through 2007.
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Dec. 29, 2004 - A New Jersey man was charged
under federal Patriot Act anti-terrorism laws
(fines up to 500,000 and/or 25 years in prison)
after he allegedly shone a green laser pointer at
a commuter aircraft from about 4,100 feet.
Charges were later reduced to lying to a federal
agent.
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• August 15, 2007 - The FBI arrested a 47-YO man
  from Clint (TX) for shining a laser at commercial
  airplanes. The confiscated device was a Class 3B
  laser about the size of a flashlight. The FBI
  believed he may be connected to three similar
  illumination incidents. The suspect could have
  faced up to 20 years in prison.
• http//www.kfoxtv.com/news/13903480/detail.html

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• June 4, 2008 - A 24-YO man was charged with four
  counts of discharging a laser and causing the
  pilots to be temporary visual impaired or
  disoriented. The green beam was directed at two
  planes landing at Cleveland (OH) Hopkins
  International Airport a Life Flight helicopter,
  and a Cleveland police helicopter. Police found
  the suspect in the rear passenger seat of a car
  holding the laser. He was later convicted and
  sentenced to 3 years in prison.
• http//blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/06/man_accuse
  d_of_pointing_laser.html

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• May 8, 2008 A police helicopter pilot was
  temporarily blinded by a laser illumination as he
  flew over Lancashire (UK). The pilot took
  "evasive action" while in mid-air to avoid
  crashing to the ground during the incident. A
  45-YO man was arrested. It was the third incident
  in seven days where a helicopter pilot had been
  dazzled by lasers. The pens used had been bought
  on eBay and were believed to be more powerful
  than a normal laser pen.
• http//www.lep.co.uk/news/Man-arrested-in-helicopt
  er-laser.4061881.jp

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• March 5, 2008 - Transport Canada reports indicate
  laser incidents are occurring with an alarming
  frequency. There have been 11 incidents reported
  in Ontario since last March, but many more may
  have gone unreported. A total of 33 pilots across
  Canada have reported being flashed by a laser
  beam while flying.
• http//www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/309525

47

• August 15, 2007 - Australia introduced 2-year
  jail terms and fines of up to 30K for shining
  lasers on aircraft in flight. The government
  says incidents are happening 2-3/week in
  Australia. Authorities have reports of 170
  lasing incidents since January 2006. The
  government announced it would ban imports of
  high-intensity laser pointers (effective July 1,
  2008).
• -perrett_at_aviationweek .com

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• March 30, 2008 - Six aircraft flying into Sydney
  (Australia) Airport were hit by blinding green
  lights in what safety officials say is the city's
  worst laser attack. It was the first recorded
  "cluster attack" in which three or four people
  used lasers to make a coordinated attack on
  aircraft coming into the airport over heavily
  populated suburbs. Air traffic control closed the
  approach flight path and diverted incoming
  aircraft to a different runway, forcing delays in
  some flights. The laser attacks were from 1015
  to 1030 pm.
• http//www.smh.com.au/news/national/laser-snipers-
  hit-planes/2008/03/29/1206207485440.html

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April 2008 - A new law proposed by the Premier of
New South Wales declares possession of the
handheld lasers a serious crime, punishable by up
to 14 years in prison, depending on the devices
power. Weaker lasers could carry a 5,000 fine or
2 years in jail, and there would be exemptions
only for teachers, construction crews, and
certain scientists. http//thelede.blogs.nytimes
.com/2008/04/21/australia-takes-on-laser-lunatics/
?hp
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Aircraft Cockpit Illumination by Altitude
Note 16.5 of illuminations of the aircraft
cockpit are below 2000 feet AGL. Almost 69 of
illuminations are in the CFZ.
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Laser Incident Rate by Region and Year

• The incident rate was highest in the AWP
  (0.86/100K flight operations) for the 2004-2006
  period.

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Traffic Volume by Region

• By region, the percentage of traffic volume is
  disproportionate to the rate of illuminations.
• Note The Western Pacific regions incident rate
  was 3.6 times higher than that of the Southern
  region (0.86 and 0.24/100K flight operations,
  respectively) although both had similar traffic
  volumes (22 and 21, respectively).

The percentage of traffic volume for a particular
region is the number of flight operations in that
region divided by the total number for the NAS.
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Airports with 10 or More Laser Incidents
Incident clusters specific to a particular
airport can distort the incident rate (per 100K
flight operations) for an entire region. Clusters
occur at random over periods of a few days or
months.
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Of 746 cockpit illuminations where altitude was
provided, 8.6 described one or more adverse
effects (2004-2007). These include visual
effects (8.2), pain and/or possible injury
(1.6), and operational problems (3.2).
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Percentage of Laser Illuminations by
Month
Type of Flight
Laser Illuminations occur most frequently in
November, December, and February, and least
frequently in May, June, and July. About 66 of
all illuminations are of commercial aircraft.
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Percentage of Laser Illuminations by Time of Day
Note Laser Illuminations occur most frequently
from 630 1130 p.m.
57
Summary

• The incidence of illumination is significantly
  higher in the Western Pacific region.
• Almost 70 of laser incidents occur between 2K
  and 10K feet AGL
• Almost 70 of all incidents occur between the
  hours of 7 to 11 pm (25 between 9 10 pm) .
• The fewest incidents occur during the months of
  May, June, and July (16).
• Percentage of incidents by type of flight
• 66 Commercial
• 6 Helicopters (Med Evac./Law Enf.)

58
Conclusions

• Incidents associated with authorized laser
  operations are rare, but illumination reports
  from handheld lasers have increased in recent
  years. This may be due to increased awareness
  and a better reporting system (AC 70-2).
• Handheld lasers are cheaper and more powerful.
• Better consumer awareness may be needed
  concerning misuse and potential penalties (e.g.,
  FDA labeling).
• Continued monitoring by aviation law
  enforcement is warranted.