I can't believe people actually do this - teen points laser at P.D. Chopper

[PD Sgt.]

When I was a suit I charged a few people with this under state code for lasing our choppers. They knew it was against the law, but were pretty surprised when they found out it was a felony.

It usually only happened when the chopper was low enough that the miscreant thought they would get the fun of seeing the dot on the airship. The problem with that was the pilots were pretty good at tracking it backward at that altitude.

[rjacobs]

Guy in Cleveland(I think it was there) got 10 years I think. About 15-20 airplanes got lasered one night and they sent the police helo in and the guy lased them and they followed it in on the FLIR. Guy kept saying "wasnt me" until they showed him standing in the upper left corner window of his house lasing the police helo FLIR unit. I think they hit him with all 15-20 counts.

Ive been hit in the airplane 2 or 3 times. Nothing bad, but we knew somebody was trying to laser us. Once was at 25-30k feet or so, maybe higher and it was obvious he was trying for us.

[duece71]

Yep, I have seen lasers pointing skywards when flying as well, particularly on final approach to an airport. Made a few reports to the Control Tower as well. I believe the authorities are serious and if they catch the perp, the person will end up in jail.

[Moose-Knuckle]

It happens a lot. The FBI has a specific program targeting the problem. Quoted from February 2014 link.

I was going to comment on this. The FFA/FBI have been looking into this for years. Happens all the time as jet liners come in for landings near major airports.