Note: This presentation has been updated since the January 31 2012 version was presented at the SAE...

Note: This presentation has been updated since the Note: This presentation has been updated since the January 31 2012 version was presented at the SAE January 31 2012 version was presented at the SAE G10 meeting in Melbourne, FL.G10 meeting in Melbourne, FL.

Updates as of February 15 2012 include:Updates as of February 15 2012 include:

•Revised numbers based on FAARevised numbers based on FAA’’s February 1 2012 revisions to the s February 1 2012 revisions to the Laser Incident database, and based on FAALaser Incident database, and based on FAA’’s clarification of what it s clarification of what it classifies as an classifies as an ““incidentincident”” (e.g., anytime an aircraft reports seeing or (e.g., anytime an aircraft reports seeing or being illuminated by a laser)being illuminated by a laser)

•An added table on aircraft altitudesAn added table on aircraft altitudes

•A description about what types of lasers and misuse are in the FAA A description about what types of lasers and misuse are in the FAA databasedatabase

•Two slides about legality of selling & owning lasersTwo slides about legality of selling & owning lasers

•Minor correctionsMinor corrections

Review of FAA Laser Review of FAA Laser Incidents in 2011Incidents in 2011

Patrick MurphyPatrick Murphy

International Laser Display AssociationInternational Laser Display Association

LaserPointerSafety.comLaserPointerSafety.com

January 31, 2012January 31, 2012Updated version 04, Feb. 15, 2012Updated version 04, Feb. 15, 2012

Executive SummaryExecutive Summary

2011: 3,591 laser incidents2011: 3,591 laser incidents

Compare to 2010: 2,836 incidentsCompare to 2010: 2,836 incidents

2004 through 2011: 10,000+ total 2004 through 2011: 10,000+ total laser incidents reported to FAAlaser incidents reported to FAA

Number of laser incidents Number of laser incidents per yearper year

2011: Executive Summary2011: Executive Summary

55 incidents (1.5%) causing eye or body 55 incidents (1.5%) causing eye or body effectseffects

Afterimages, eye discomfort, blurry vision, Afterimages, eye discomfort, blurry vision, headacheheadache

No incidents causing eye No incidents causing eye injuries injuries (defined as (defined as retinal lesions or retinal damage)retinal lesions or retinal damage) in 2011in 2011

No permanent eye injuries 1990-present as No permanent eye injuries 1990-present as far as can be determinedfar as can be determined

2011: 12 multiple-aircraft 2011: 12 multiple-aircraft incidentsincidents

1 incident: 5 aircraft landing at PHL, 1 incident: 5 aircraft landing at PHL, Feb. 2011Feb. 2011

1 incident: 3 aircraft 15 miles from 1 incident: 3 aircraft 15 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor, Feb. 2011Phoenix Sky Harbor, Feb. 2011

10 incidents: Each involving 2 aircraft10 incidents: Each involving 2 aircraft

About the FAA About the FAA DatabaseDatabase

What is an FAA What is an FAA ““laser laser incidentincident””??

Anytime a pilot sees a laser beamAnytime a pilot sees a laser beam

May be outside the aircraft (not illegal)

May be aimed toward the aircraft (illegal)

May enter the cockpit (e.g., be on or through the windscreen)

May enter the eyes of a pilot or crewmember

What data does FAA collect?What data does FAA collect?

Date, timeDate, time

Aircraft IDAircraft ID

Number of Number of aircraft aircraft seeing laserseeing laser

Aircraft typeAircraft type

AltitudeAltitude

Nearest airport and Nearest airport and citycity

““Injuries reported?”Injuries reported?”

CommentsComments

Data sourceData source

Other (security - Other (security - limited release)limited release)

Data that is hard to Data that is hard to determinedetermine

Size (e.g., number of potential passengers)Size (e.g., number of potential passengers)

Type of aircraft (e.g., fixed vs. rotary wing)Type of aircraft (e.g., fixed vs. rotary wing)

Incident severityIncident severity

Eye effects vs. Eye effects vs. ““injuriesinjuries””

Phase of flight: landing, takeoff, cruise, hoverPhase of flight: landing, takeoff, cruise, hover

Location: Airport-related, or police-related Location: Airport-related, or police-related (e.g, in a city) (e.g, in a city)

Types of lasers and Types of lasers and incidentsincidents

Types of laser incidentsTypes of laser incidents

Almost all incidents appear to involve Almost all incidents appear to involve commercially available laser pointers and commercially available laser pointers and handheld lasers, being misused by the general handheld lasers, being misused by the general publicpublic

There are a very few cases of pilots reporting beams There are a very few cases of pilots reporting beams outside the cockpit (non-illumination incidents) that were outside the cockpit (non-illumination incidents) that were from laser light showsfrom laser light shows

There were no known or suspected incidents from There were no known or suspected incidents from other outdoor usesother outdoor uses

This includes astronomical observations, satellite This includes astronomical observations, satellite communications, LIDAR, and other scientific and industrial communications, LIDAR, and other scientific and industrial applicationsapplications

Types of lasersTypes of lasers

All lasers have visible beams (400 - 700 All lasers have visible beams (400 - 700 nanometer wavelength)nanometer wavelength)

Pilots could not see, and thus could not report, Pilots could not see, and thus could not report, lasers with non-visible beams (infrared, ultraviolet)lasers with non-visible beams (infrared, ultraviolet)

These are not expected to be aimed at aircraft by These are not expected to be aimed at aircraft by the general publicthe general public

All lasers appear to be continuous wave All lasers appear to be continuous wave

No pulsed lasers reported or suspectedNo pulsed lasers reported or suspected

Laser powers involved Laser powers involved (1 of 2)(1 of 2)

It is possible to use specialized It is possible to use specialized detectors to measure the beam power detectors to measure the beam power over a certain area (irradiance) at the over a certain area (irradiance) at the aircraftaircraft

However, it is not possible from the air However, it is not possible from the air to determine the source power of the to determine the source power of the laserlaser

Laser powers involved Laser powers involved (2 of 2)(2 of 2)

Based on lasers seized from persons Based on lasers seized from persons arrested, laser powers range from a arrested, laser powers range from a few milliwatts to 1000 milliwatts (1 few milliwatts to 1000 milliwatts (1 watt)watt)

Typically, the powers most used in aiming Typically, the powers most used in aiming incidents are roughly in the range of 5 to 200 incidents are roughly in the range of 5 to 200 mWmW

Note on laser legality Note on laser legality (1 of 2)(1 of 2)

In the U.S., manufacturers cannot legally sell In the U.S., manufacturers cannot legally sell lasers above 5 mW as lasers above 5 mW as ““pointerspointers”” or for or for pointing applicationspointing applications

It is legal to sell a laser 5 mW or more if the It is legal to sell a laser 5 mW or more if the laser conforms to U.S. FDA requirements and laser conforms to U.S. FDA requirements and if it is not sold as a if it is not sold as a ““pointerpointer”” or for pointing or for pointing applicationsapplications

If a laser is 5 mW or more, and is sold as a If a laser is 5 mW or more, and is sold as a ““pointerpointer”” or for pointing applications, this is illegal from the or for pointing applications, this is illegal from the sellerseller’’ss standpoint. It is not illegal from the standpoint. It is not illegal from the buyerbuyer’’ss standpont to buy or own such a laserstandpont to buy or own such a laser

Note on laser legality Note on laser legality (2 of 2)(2 of 2)

Under U.S. federal law, it is not illegal Under U.S. federal law, it is not illegal to own or use a laser of any powerto own or use a laser of any power

Some states and localities may have their Some states and localities may have their own restrictions on laser ownership and/or own restrictions on laser ownership and/or usageusage

Misuse can be prosecuted under various Misuse can be prosecuted under various statutes such as assault, interference with statutes such as assault, interference with aircraft, and new (Feb. 2012) law against aircraft, and new (Feb. 2012) law against aiming at aircraftaiming at aircraft

Incident SeverityIncident Severity

2011: 3,591 laser incidents2011: 3,591 laser incidents

2,621: Laser did not enter cockpit

970: Laser entered cockpit

181: Laser tracked aircraft

55: Laser caused eye effects

0: Laser caused eye injuries

73%73%27%27%5.1%5.1%

1.5%1.5%

Based on Rockwell Laser Industries study in mid-2011; data extrapolated to Based on Rockwell Laser Industries study in mid-2011; data extrapolated to full yearfull year

Trends in Number of Trends in Number of Incidents Per DayIncidents Per Day

Number of laser incidents Number of laser incidents per dayper day

2011: Laser incidents day-2011: Laser incidents day-by-dayby-day

2007-2011: Incidents day-by-2007-2011: Incidents day-by-dayday

2007-2011: Overall trend is 2007-2011: Overall trend is linearlinear

Yearly Trends inYearly Trends inRate of IncreaseRate of Increase


Laser incidents requiredLaser incidents requiredto be reported to FAAto be reported to FAAbeginning Jan. 19, 2005beginning Jan. 19, 2005

Rate of increase per yearRate of increase per year

36%36%66%66%

49%49%

61%61%

86%86%

27%27%

Laser incidents requiredLaser incidents requiredto be reported to FAAto be reported to FAAbeginning Jan. 19, 2005beginning Jan. 19, 2005

59% decline

59% decline

59% decline

59% decline

2006-2011 rate of increase2006-2011 rate of increase

Fewer incidents in 2012?Fewer incidents in 2012?

If 2012If 2012’’s rate of increase goes down s rate of increase goes down as much as 2011 (59% decline), there as much as 2011 (59% decline), there would be a decrease in laser incidents would be a decrease in laser incidents for the first timefor the first time

From 3,591 incidents in 2011From 3,591 incidents in 2011to 2,836 incidents projected for 2012to 2,836 incidents projected for 2012

Trends in rate of increase1: Start with 5 years of data

Laser Incidents Reported Daily to FAA

Trends in rate of increase2: Shift data over one year


Trends in rate of increase3: Determine how much incidents have increased


Trends in rate of increase4: Re-plot the data as a percentage

Trends in rate of increaseTrends in rate of increase5. Overall trend shows rate steady, rising, then 5. Overall trend shows rate steady, rising, then droppingdropping

Day of the WeekDay of the Week

2011 laser incidents - day of the 2011 laser incidents - day of the weekweek

Laser IncidentsLaser Incidentsby Altitudeby Altitude

2011 FAA Laser Incidents, Reported by Altitude at Time of 2011 FAA Laser Incidents, Reported by Altitude at Time of ExposureExposure

Altitude AGL, thousands of feetAltitude AGL, thousands of feet

Laser colorsLaser colors

2011 laser colors reported2011 laser colors reported

Green: 3,381 (94.2%)

Red: 66 (1.8%)

White: 48 (1.3%)

Other: 39 (1.1%)

Blue: 31 (0.9%)

Unknown color: 26 (0.7%)

94.2%94.2%94.2%94.2%5.8%5.8%5.8%5.8%

Airports and Airports and LocationsLocations

Caution: Airports and locations are approximate

FAA records the closest airport to an incident locationFAA records the closest airport to an incident location

Does not distinguish between ...Does not distinguish between ...

... an incident in a city or suburb (e.g., police helicopter) that ... an incident in a city or suburb (e.g., police helicopter) that is away from an airport; andis away from an airport; and

... an incident at an airport or on an approach/departure... an incident at an airport or on an approach/departure

FAA data on cities arbitrarily lumps or separates FAA data on cities arbitrarily lumps or separates airportsairports

Example: Dallas, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Fort Worth are Example: Dallas, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Fort Worth are reported as 3 separate cities. If reported as one city, would be reported as 3 separate cities. If reported as one city, would be 2nd in U.S. for laser incidents.2nd in U.S. for laser incidents.

2011 laser incidents - top 25 airports2011 laser incidents - top 25 airports

2011 laser incidents - top 25 cities2011 laser incidents - top 25 cities

2011 laser incidents - top 25 states2011 laser incidents - top 25 states

Eye Effects ReportedEye Effects ReportedNote: There were no documented

eye injuries (retinal lesions)

Eye effects vs. eye injuriesEye effects vs. eye injuries

Effects defined as...

Watering, afterimagesWatering, afterimages

Corneal abrasion (too-vigorous rubbing of the Corneal abrasion (too-vigorous rubbing of the eyes)eyes)

Shock, headacheShock, headache

Injuries defined as...

Medically detectable retinal lesionMedically detectable retinal lesion

2011: 55 incidents with eye 2011: 55 incidents with eye effects effects

31: Pain or discomfort in eyes or elsewhere

31: Vision impairment

7: Sought medical attention

1: Grounded temporarily

3: Flight was affected

2 turned over control; 1 had to landNote: Some incidents resulted in multiple effects, so total effects > 55Note: Some incidents resulted in multiple effects, so total effects > 55

2011: 31 cases of pain/discomfort

2011: 31 cases of vision impairment

Laser Incident Laser Incident ProbabilitiesProbabilities

Chance of laser incidents Chance of laser incidents on any given U.S. flight, in on any given U.S. flight, in one yearone year

Seeing a beam:Seeing a beam:1 in 14,000 flights1 in 14,000 flights

Having the beam enter the cockpit Having the beam enter the cockpit window: 1 in 54,000 flightswindow: 1 in 54,000 flights

Causing eye or body effects:Causing eye or body effects:1 in 920,000 flights (1 in 920,000 flights (““one in a millionone in a million””))

Based on FAA ATADS report of 52,522,825 U.S. airport operations, 12/2010 - Based on FAA ATADS report of 52,522,825 U.S. airport operations, 12/2010 - 12/201112/2011

Slides Provided by Slides Provided by FAAFAA

Slides from FAASlides from FAA

SummarySummary

SummarySummary

Laser incidents continue to increaseLaser incidents continue to increase

Rate of increase in 2011 (27%) was Rate of increase in 2011 (27%) was significantly less than in 2010 (86%)significantly less than in 2010 (86%)

Most sightings are outside the cockpitMost sightings are outside the cockpit

Laser light enters the cockpit window in 27% of Laser light enters the cockpit window in 27% of incidentsincidents

Eye effects in 1.5% of incidentsEye effects in 1.5% of incidents

No permanent eye injuries to dateNo permanent eye injuries to date

Questions?Questions?

Note: This presentation has been updated since the January 31 2012 version was presented at the SAE...

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Transcript of Note: This presentation has been updated since the January 31 2012 version was presented at the SAE...