BROWNNOSE
BOOTLICKER
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MONTREAL – Someone is shining laser beams into the cockpits of planes approaching the Montreal-Trudeau airport, temporarily blinding pilots and putting passengers at risk.
A QMI Agency audit of a Transport Canada database found 43 such incidents near the airport since the beginning of the year.
Boeing 737s and 777s as well as Airbus 310s – massive aircrafts that carry hundreds of passengers – have been targeted.
The little lights can cause pilots to experience glare, blindness similar to that following a camera flash and afterimage effects that create a shadow image, putting passengers and crew at risk.
The light can also have health consequences for the pilots.
An Ontario helicopter-ambulance pilot suffered retina damage following a similar incident in the Ottawa area earlier this year.
Aiming a laser into a plane’s cockpit is a federal offence. An offender could face up to five years in jail and a $100,000 fine if they’re caught.
Transport Canada is working with police and the aviation industry to crack down on the problem. But so far, only three people in this country have been charged.
The lasers can be easily bought online, despite being illegal for sale in the U.S.
QMI Agency had one delivered within 24 hours of placing the order. Only slightly bigger than a ballpoint pen, the laser shines a green light that can carry up to four kilometres.
B hunter
MONTREAL – Someone is shining laser beams into the cockpits of planes approaching the Montreal-Trudeau airport, temporarily blinding pilots and putting passengers at risk.
A QMI Agency audit of a Transport Canada database found 43 such incidents near the airport since the beginning of the year.
Boeing 737s and 777s as well as Airbus 310s – massive aircrafts that carry hundreds of passengers – have been targeted.
The little lights can cause pilots to experience glare, blindness similar to that following a camera flash and afterimage effects that create a shadow image, putting passengers and crew at risk.
The light can also have health consequences for the pilots.
An Ontario helicopter-ambulance pilot suffered retina damage following a similar incident in the Ottawa area earlier this year.
Aiming a laser into a plane’s cockpit is a federal offence. An offender could face up to five years in jail and a $100,000 fine if they’re caught.
Transport Canada is working with police and the aviation industry to crack down on the problem. But so far, only three people in this country have been charged.
The lasers can be easily bought online, despite being illegal for sale in the U.S.
QMI Agency had one delivered within 24 hours of placing the order. Only slightly bigger than a ballpoint pen, the laser shines a green light that can carry up to four kilometres.
B hunter