Pilots targeted by laser beams

Increasing numbers of pilots are being dazzled by laser lights being aimed into aircraft cockpits, prompting safety warnings from officials.

The Civil Aviation Authority is introducing new protocols to try to catch people who illegally and dangerously aim laser beams at aircraft from the ground.

The authority is warning of the catastrophic consequences of laser lights, saying most pilots are being targeted on final approach to landing.

The beam from the laser pointers - which are sold over the counter as teaching and presentation aides - can be so powerful that pilots are temporarily blinded or distracted from their duties.

There were three incidents in 2006, 19 in 2007 and 41 last year. There have been 20 so far this year, including nine in Auckland.

A Civil Aviation Authority spokesman said incidents had occurred throughout the country, including Hamilton, Tauranga and Napier.

The number of incidents in Wellington had fallen although a man is facing court charges after allegedly aiming a laser light at a passenger plane from Mt Victoria.

As well as passenger aircraft, the Auckland-based police helicopter Eagle has also been targeted. An Auckland man was charged after an incident in August last year in which he allegedly aimed a laser beam into the Eagle cockpit.

A new advisory from the Civil Aviation Authority details the hazards posed by laser beams and encourages pilots to immediately alert air-traffic controllers, who can refer incidents to police for urgent action.

The advisory says laser technology has become so enhanced, that "readily available" green laser pointers are now 30 times more powerful than traditional red lasers. Direct eye exposure to such a green laser can "result in temporary visual impairment", says the advisory.

Civil Aviation Authority spokesman Bill Sommer said most incidents were occurring around airports.

The advisory warns pilots to avoid staring directly at any laser beam, and to hand over control to the co-pilot if vision is affected. It says pilots should not rub their eyes and that turning up cockpit lighting may reduce the effects of a laser.