Stop pointing lasers at aircraft, warns ROP

Pointing a laser towards an aircraft while it is taking off, landing or even flying at a low altitude, could result in temporary vision impairment for the flight crew and threaten flight safety

MUSCAT: Pranksters have been warned by the Royal Oman Police (ROP) not to point lasers at cockpit when an aircraft is taking off or landing, as it could impair the concentration of the pilot and result in an accident.

Aircraft subjected to laser pointers from people on the ground could increase the risk of accidents and loss of lives, especially during the crucial stages of take-off and landing.

Some pilots who experienced lasers coming from the ground said that people should refrain from such behaviour, as it could affect the pilot’s concentration and lead to disastrous consequences.

Crucial phase

Jan Dvorak, a Czech pilot who was under contract to fly for Oman Air, had a laser pointed at his cockpit as he and his pilotin-command were in the crucial phase of landing the aircraft.

“During my stay in Muscat, I have experienced it three times. It was during my return flights from Cairo to Muscat. When we were approaching the ILS (Instrument Landing System) on runway 26R (rights) in Muscat, there was a green laser pointer aimed at our cockpit. I think the source of these lasers was somewhere in the old market and harbour,” Dvorak said.

Landing is the most crucial part of any flight, where the slightest distraction or mistake could cause a major accident if the pilot does not react in time.

Error could be fatal

“It demands the highest level of concentration and even the smallest error could be fatal. These laser pointers are dangerous because they could easily distract you and change your reference and view of the airstrip, and it could also dam- age your eyes,” Dvorak said.

“These people must understand that the aircraft can carry one of them, a relative or a friend, and such acts really increase risks for the flight. In that case it is not fun anymore, but a serious situation,” he added.

Warnings

Sharing the same concerns, Brigadier-General Adel Ahmad Al Lawati, Director-General of the Royal Oman Police Air Wings Unit, said during an interview that pointing a laser towards an aircraft while it is taking off or landing, as well as flying at a low altitude, is dangerous and could cause a delay in air traffic.

“There are warnings issued to pilots from time to time from global aviation associations about possible lasers pointed at aircraft during flights,” Brig. Gen. Al Lawati said.

“It could result in temporary vision impairment for the flight crew and threaten flight safety,” he added.

He said that children mostly use laser pointers for fun, but teenagers and vandals use them for other reasons, because they fail to understand the danger. The use of lasers is also a failure on the part of parents to monitor their children.

Law

Citing the law to determine the punishment for such acts, Brig. Gen. Al Lawati said, “If we revert to the Oman Penal Code regarding assault on transport routes and other establishments, Article 275 states that persons committing this crime will face imprisonment from three months to three years and a fine of OMR10 to OMR500 will be imposed on whosoever deliberately vandalises public routes and other establishments in a way that makes them unusable or unsafe.”

The punishment includes vandalism on guiding mechanisms used for ships and aircraft, as well as other forms of transportation, he added.

Article 276 also states that if such an assault results in extensive damage to an individual or transportation equipment, the accused will face imprisonment from three years to fifteen years, and will be executed if the assault results in the death of a person.

Safety issue

An airline spokesman also said that the use of lasers affected the safety of aircraft and their properties. “You are potentially playing with the safety of people,” said Deepal Pallegangoda, Country Manager of Mihin Lanka in Muscat.

He said that pilots can take head in the wrong direction if shiny bright lights are pointed at them.

“Though such kinds of incidents are very rare in Oman, I think that people need to be educated,” he said.