Privately operated laser and drone interference with commercial aircraft is increasing in the number of incidents and the danger these violations could cause.
LASER is an acronym: Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.
Laser can be green, red, blue or yellow in color. Green is, by far, the most potent light ray. Laser generates an intense beam of coherent monochromatic light or other electromagnetic radiation, by stimulated emission of photons from excited atoms or molecules. The usage of laser is varied: drilling and cutting; alignment and guidance; surgery; optical properties are exploited in holography; reading bar codes; recording and playing compact discs.
A drone is also known as an, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). It is an aircraft without a human passenger aboard.
Laser interference with aircraft in flight is malicious. It may be that the perpetrators of these acts may consider it a game, to see how annoying they can be to aircraft pilots. It is very annoying – and very dangerous, and illegal! The laser fills the cockpit with a green light that distracts pilots, could cause eye damage, and could lead to fatal disorientation.
Under general laws dealing with the operation of aircraft and corresponding personnel, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) levies a fine of $11,000 for each aircraft-laser incident. Incredibly, there is no federal law covering this specific offense. Legislation was introduced in the Congress in 2011, but it has not been seen since then. The National Rifle Association (NRA)...? – Naw, they wouldn't...
The offenses of the UAV or drone aloft seems to be considerably less ill-intentioned than those done by laser. There have been several close-calls with commercial aircraft. One big fear of pilots, is that a drone might be sucked into an engine. Large birds are bad enough, but the construction of a drone could cause disaster.
In a recent field fire, in Southern California, that breached an interstate highway, drones in the area, at first, prevented the delivery of water by aircraft. Fortunately, they quickly were withdrawn.
There seems not to be a federal law covering drones. It may be presumed that drone interference with other aircraft would come under the appropriate FAA statutes. In the absence of federal strictures, many states are rushing to cover this burgeoning phenomenon with their own legislation.
As usual, government control of new technology is lagging. It is hoped that government will avail itself of the latest technology in dealing with these two sky-related phenomena. In both cases, it should require a traceable, digital identification.
Laser guns capable of reaching aircraft should be required to register an identification number, or whatever, capable of being detected by a corresponding receptor, strategically placed on the body of the craft being lit up by the laser.
To disable drones in the air would be dangerous; however, their individual identification should be able to be detected by air- of ground-initiated signal.
***** ***** *****
All a-buzz with laser and drone,
Pilots hark to their planes' smooth tone.
While "feds" hem and haw,
They could get lockjaw.
They're thinking, "Please, throw us a bone?"
Comments