Unauthorized Laser Illumination Event

That's the official term to be used in describing what happened to me
yesterday. I went to HFD for the LDA approach for something different and I
sure got something different alright. Saw a flash out of the corner of my
eye. First I thought it was fireworks, then an airport beacon, then I
thought it was a TFR-related violation but quickly dismissed that when I
realized they only have that in the DC area. After about 4 or 5 seconds of
contemplating, I came to the conclusion that it was some bozo with a laser
since he kept the light in my general direction for a little while and it
was quite bright against all the other lights on that clear night.

I was already on with Bradley Approach so I advised them of the event. I
asked them if they minded if I swung the plane around and marked the spot
with my GPS to which they replied "please do." I was not afraid of more
exposure because of my trusty low-wing so I marked the spot and gave ATC the
lat/long. Before I left their airspace, they informed me that there were
multiple incidents in that area and proceeded to inform other aircraft as
per their protocol.

I filled out the form on AC 70-2 and faxed it in. I was thinking about
notifying the aviation dept of Hartford's local PD since they would be both
familiar with the area and in the best position to catch the *******.
Thoughts?

Marco

"Marco Leon" wrote in message
...

I filled out the form on AC 70-2 and faxed it in. I was thinking about
notifying the aviation dept of Hartford's local PD since they would be
both familiar with the area and in the best position to catch the *******.
Thoughts?

Just when it seemed like the general publics laser-pointer fascination (ie,
"shiny object") had passed, somebody came out with the handheld $200
high-intensity green lasers, 'cause, everybody knows how important it is to
have handheld high-intensity lasers.

Kinda funny that the acronym is "U.L.I.E" though.

-c

"Marco Leon" wrote in
:

I filled out the form on AC 70-2 and faxed it in. I was thinking about
notifying the aviation dept of Hartford's local PD since they would be
both familiar with the area and in the best position to catch the
*******. Thoughts?

What altitude where you at?

I would bet that a kid with a handheld laser pointer might be very difficult
to catch and prosecute, and I bet even a handheld laser pointer will create a
flash in your eye at 2000 feet, even if the beam has diffused enough that the
"operator" won't be able to tell for sure where it's hitting your plane...

I just hope that the noise grumblers don't get the same idea...

"Judah" wrote in message
. ..

What altitude where you at?

I would bet that a kid with a handheld laser pointer might be very
difficult
to catch and prosecute, and I bet even a handheld laser pointer will
create a
flash in your eye at 2000 feet, even if the beam has diffused enough that
the
"operator" won't be able to tell for sure where it's hitting your plane...

I just hope that the noise grumblers don't get the same idea...

I was at 1,700 feet. I used the Garmin 496 to mark the spot so it
conveniently took note of the time and altitude as well. Switching it to the
Automotive mode, I was able to narrow it down to a 6 block by two block area
in a specific neighborhood in Connecticut.

There was definitely a flash and I lost my nightvision in the left eye for a
little while which was a weird feeling. It was kind of like wearing glasses
with a bug smudge on the left lense.

Marco

"Marco Leon" wrote in
:

I was at 1,700 feet. I used the Garmin 496 to mark the spot so it
conveniently took note of the time and altitude as well. Switching it to
the Automotive mode, I was able to narrow it down to a 6 block by two
block area in a specific neighborhood in Connecticut.

There was definitely a flash and I lost my nightvision in the left eye
for a little while which was a weird feeling. It was kind of like
wearing glasses with a bug smudge on the left lense.

Marco

That's a pretty big area. I hope you're successful in finding the
perpetrator...

Marco Leon writes:

I was at 1,700 feet. I used the Garmin 496 to mark the spot so it
conveniently took note of the time and altitude as well. Switching it to the
Automotive mode, I was able to narrow it down to a 6 block by two block area
in a specific neighborhood in Connecticut.

I'm not optimistic about finding the culprit.

There was definitely a flash and I lost my nightvision in the left eye for a
little while which was a weird feeling. It was kind of like wearing glasses
with a bug smudge on the left lense.

Did you see an ophthalmologist?

Mxsmanic wrote in
:

Marco Leon writes:

I was at 1,700 feet. I used the Garmin 496 to mark the spot so it
conveniently took note of the time and altitude as well. Switching it
to the Automotive mode, I was able to narrow it down to a 6 block by
two block area in a specific neighborhood in Connecticut.

I'm not optimistic about finding the culprit.


Snort! To bad you';re nto there. You proly got all of Jessica Fletcher's
moves down pat.


There was definitely a flash and I lost my nightvision in the left
eye for a little while which was a weird feeling. It was kind of like
wearing glasses with a bug smudge on the left lense.

Did you see an ophthalmologist?


Why, did you?


Bertie

Judah wrote:

I just hope that the noise grumblers don't get the same idea...

I disagree. Hoping of course they don' hurt anyone it would be nice to put a
few of them in jail.

"Gig 601XL Builder" wrDOTgiaconaATsuddenlink.net wrote in
:

Judah wrote:

I just hope that the noise grumblers don't get the same idea...

I disagree. Hoping of course they don' hurt anyone it would be nice to
put a few of them in jail.

What do you think are the chances of finding the guy, let alone prosecuting
him?

I'd say pretty slim at best. And Marco marked the area with a GPS. I'm not
sure I would have.

"Judah" wrote in message
. ..

What do you think are the chances of finding the guy, let alone
prosecuting
him?

I'd say pretty slim at best.

Possibly. On the other hand, there just might be an annoying teenager in the
neighborhood who has been harassing neighbors, traffic, pets, etc. The
thing with laser-geeks is they can't seem to control themselves. And, who
knows...maybe one of those neighbors is also a pilot.

And Marco marked the area with a GPS. I'm not sure I would have.

Can't hurt.

-c