Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Laser Warnings Planned for Out-of-Bounds Pilots

Posted by timothy on from the this-certainly-won't-be-spoofed dept.

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.

2 of 258 comments (clear)

  1. Article from Aircraft Owners and Pilots Assoc. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

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

  2. Re:Why note encode data in the signal by ptbarnett · · Score: 4, Informative
    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.