What's the deal with LASER BEAMS and Aiplanes?
They are more concerned with the possibility of distraction and/or temporary (or permanent) blindness of the pilot.
Frankly, it's an un-enforcable law.
Quote: DJTeddyBearThey are more concerned with the possibility of distraction and/or temporary (or permanent) blindness of the pilot.
In one of his books, Tom Clancy takes down two AWACS-type planes with a souped-up flash.
Light is serious business. Lasers are very bright, monochromatic and carry a lot of energy (which is why they have found many uses in varying fields). You can blind someone, temporarily, with a laser pointer. A strong enough light can blind a person permanently.
Trivia: The word laser is an acronym. what does it mean?
PAT: Radar is also an acronym. what does it stand for?
Quote: NareedTrivia: The word laser is an acronym. what does it mean?
Light amplification through simulated emission of radiation. I remember that from a kid's book I had quite a while back. Like any good boy I was obsessed with lightsabers.
Don't know about radar. They haven't made any cool sci fi weapons out of that so I didn't look into it.
Quote: NareedLight is serious business. Lasers are very bright, monochromatic and carry a lot of energy (which is why they have found many uses in varying fields). You can blind someone, temporarily, with a laser pointer. A strong enough light can blind a person permanently.
And a strong enough laser can set a car on fire. A further stronger laser is used in cutting 1/4" steel.
But any laser available to a civilian is of no effect on an aircraft. Civilian craft don't rely on FLIR or LIDAR for navigation, and their instruments are not affected by lasers.
Quote: NareedTrivia: The word laser is an acronym. what does it mean?
PAT: Radar is also an acronym. what does it stand for?
I think everyone who doesn't know both these things should be stripped of his or her high school diploma. It's somewhat insulting to a board, especially one that is predominantly male with tertiary education, to even post a question like that.
Quote: progrockerLight amplification through simulated emission of radiation. I remember that from a kid's book I had quite a while back. Like any good boy I was obsessed with lightsabers.
that's correct on both counts.
Quote:Don't know about radar. They haven't made any cool sci fi weapons out of that so I didn't look into it.
Well, no. But theya hve made cool, real weapons based on radar or meant to avoid or destroy radar: the Phoenix AA missile, the Standard ARM missile, the F-22 fighter and the B-2 bomber.
Quote: P90But any laser available to a civilian is of no effect on an aircraft. Civilian craft don't rely on FLIR or LIDAR for navigation, and their instruments are not affected by lasers.
<looks over the sentence several times> I dind't know a non-sequitur could be this long <shakes head>
If by avaialble to a civilian you mean for sale at Radio Shack, you're right. If, on the other hand, you mean something that someone with a working brain and an opposable thumb can build from info downloaded from the web, plus parts available in many stores, then you're way, way wrong.
Now, what's available or easily obtainable by someone who is predominantly male and has a tertiray education, you should know about.
Me, I'm neither :P
Quote: P90I think everyone who doesn't know both these things should be stripped of his or her high school diploma.
I didn't know radar (and not even after I looked it up do I recall ever learning that). Can I keep my bachelors in econ?
Quote: DJTeddyBearIt's an un-enforcable law.
People have been convicted of the violation for several years now:
Laser Beamed at Plane Leads to N.J. Man's Arrest
By Sara Kehaulani Goo
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, January 5, 2005; Page A09
Federal officials charged a 38-year-old New Jersey man yesterday with willfully interfering with an aircraft after he allegedly admitted that he -- not his young daughter -- had aimed a green laser at a small Cessna Citation as it was approaching the airport in Teterboro, N.J.
The Dec. 29 incident was one of several puzzling pilot reports of lasers aimed at aircraft over the holiday travel period. The FBI, which has been tracking the cases across the country, said high-beam lasers can impair and even blind pilots who are exposed, even for a short period of time. None of the incidents so far appear to be terrorist-related, the agency said. Article
Quote: DJTeddyBearFrankly, it's an un-enforcable law.
Quote: FleaStiffI understand most of those laser incidents are simply ordinary laser pointers, not in any way mounted on a firearm, that are used to force noisy nocturnal law enforecement helicopters to climb.
Quote: AyecarumbaSeveral arrests, including this one have already been made.
Hmmm....
When I made that statement, I was thinking about planes.
I've never seen a low flying police helicopter, except in TV shows with a west coast setting.
Quote: progrockerI didn't know radar (and not even after I looked it up do I recall ever learning that). Can I keep my bachelors in econ?
I should think so. Violent removal of the high school diploma was all that was threatened.
Quote: DJTeddyBearQuote: AyecarumbaSeveral arrests, including this one have already been made.
I've never seen a low flying police helicopter, except in TV shows with a west coast setting.
I'd say they use them in Vegas possibly as much as a about every other night for armed robberies where they are designating a search area for suspects. The helicopter circles around endlessly (especially if it's near my place at night). But then some 7/11 (or other store) is getting robbed somewhere here quite a bit.
Quote: NareedIf by avaialble to a civilian you mean for sale at Radio Shack, you're right. If, on the other hand, you mean something that someone with a working brain and an opposable thumb can build from info downloaded from the web, plus parts available in many stores, then you're way, way wrong.
You can't built lasers in a shed. Microelectronics, complex equipment, sapphire or other crystals, or gas pressure control and proper gases for gas lasers. You would need to devote a lot of time and money to produce a laser of substantial power.
Alternately, you could buy a million semiconductor lasers and put them into an array. But that is really all you can do. Unlike chemical and biological weapon manufacturing, building a high-power laser is not a kitchen job.
Quote: progrockerI didn't know radar (and not even after I looked it up do I recall ever learning that). Can I keep my bachelors in econ?
You could consider turning it in, but since you're going to keep it anyway, at least keep in mind that "radio detection and ranging" wasn't such a long phrase to remember.
Quote: P90You can't built lasers in a shed. Microelectronics, complex equipment, sapphire or other crystals, or gas pressure control and proper gases for gas lasers. You would need to devote a lot of time and money to produce a laser of substantial power.
I concede. I'm wrong. It's obvious that someone who is predominantly male and has a tertiary education can be as ignorant and pig-headed as an elementary school drop-out.
Taking down jet planes, probably not. Blinding or burning someone likely.
True or false?
Quote: rxwineI understand you can use Youtube for instructions and supply information to modify your blu-ray player making it into a more dangerous instrument than playing movies.
Taking down jet planes, probably not. Blinding or burning someone likely.
If you manage to keep that laser pointed at their eye for a very long time somehow, like hiding it in their TV set and somehow making it point straight at their eye, you could hope to damage their vision.
But if you can make them watch youtube an extra hour a day, it will be a much easier way to achieve the same lofty aspiration.
Quote: P90If you manage to keep that laser pointed at their eye for a very long time somehow, like hiding it in their TV set and somehow making it point straight at their eye, you could hope to damage their vision.
This is exactly the scenario with pilots operating aircraft at night. Their pupils are fully dilated since it is night time. A laser shot in the eye causes temporary blindness, as the light (especially from these newer green lasers) overloads the retina. Extended exposure can result in permanent damage.
Quote: P90If you manage to keep that laser pointed at their eye for a very long time somehow, like hiding it in their TV set and somehow making it point straight at their eye, you could hope to damage their vision.
But if you can make them watch youtube an extra hour a day, it will be a much easier way to achieve the same lofty aspiration.
I'll just make one of these
