Laser Warnings Planned for Out-of-Bounds Pilots

akadruid writes "No, it's not a new 'Star Wars' system: The US Pentagon and NORAD are using lasers to warn off pilots flying into restricted airspace, according to Wired magazine. I wonder if they got the idea from the FBI, who charged a New Jersey man under anti-terror laws for doing this?" The system is not yet in operation (but could be as soon as next month), and according to NORAD, their system has been found safe for pilots' eyes.

Comments

Article from Aircraft Owners and Pilots Assoc.

[Anonymous Coward]

See http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/2005/050408 laser.html
for more information.

Re:Why note encode data in the signal

[ptbarnett]

Why don't they just use the damn radio like normal people?

If the pilot has a radio in his plane, and he has turned it on, on what frequency would you call him?

1. An airplane is not required to have a radio, unless flying in airspace where it is required. Some planes don't even have an electrical system to support a radio.
2. Some pilots in an airplane without a radio carry a handheld radio (powered by batteries), but only turn it on when it is needed (i.e. takeoff and landing).
3. An aircraft comm radio has 760 "channels" (different frequencies). 121.5 MHz is the univeral "guard" or "emergency" frequency. But, pilots typically don't listen to it unless there's a need to do so.

Re:Why note encode data in the signal

[FlightTest]

You're SUPPOSED to be listening on 121.5, though that doesn't have the force of law (yet).

The FAA stongly encourages all pilots to listen to 121.5 at all times unless there is a reason not to be, as in your description of aircraft without electrical systems. They would even like you to be listening to 121.5 even when communicating with ATC on another frequency. Most aviation audio panels support this if there are two recievers.

Keep in mind, the restricted area around D.C. lies well within the 30nm mode C "veil" around the major airports. What that means is, in order to be even NEAR the restricted area around D.C., you've got to have an altitude encoding transponder, and it has to be on. So any aircraft likely to accidentally penetrate the restricted area will have an electrical system. I doubt there's too many airplanes out there with transponders and no radios.