AU: Coordinated Laser attacks on planes

Smart ass or Terrorist ass?

An Australian state is considering banning hand-held laser pointers following a "co-ordinated attack" on planes landing in Sydney.

Six aircraft were forced to alter their flight paths when the beams were shone at the pilots for 15 minutes.

Officials said no one had been arrested.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority stressed there was no danger of the planes crashing because of the lasers. However, pilots have previously complained of being temporarily blinded or of suffering headaches from the glare of the laser.


David Campbell, the police minister of New South Wales, said the state was considering a ban of the small laser pointers.

"There are some penalties that police can impose now, but we're looking to make these items a prohibited weapon in certain circumstances which would lead to substantial fines and possible jail terms," he said.

Other Australian states have already initiated the laser ban.

It is a federal offence in the US to point a laser at an aircraft.