Ignoring pleas for laser ban may result in tragedy: Pilots

Pilots’ grave concerns about aircraft laser strikes are going unheard by the relevant authorities, they say. New Zealand Air Line Pilots’ Association spokesman Captain Tim Robinson says his demands to ban high-powered lasers have been “falling on deaf ears”.

“I don’t want to put words in their mouth but they obviously don’t think the risk is great enough — and we certainly do,” Robinson said. “We would hate to see a fatal accident, especially from a medium to large-size commercial airliner, because these lasers continue to illuminate aircraft.”

Ministry of Transport (MoT) economic regulation manager Tom Forster did not directly respond to Robinson but acknowledged the danger laser strikes posed: “Deliberately shining a laser at an aircraft can temporarily blind the flight crew and can potentially lead to disorientation or loss of aircraft control.”

The Ministry of Health confirmed restrictions on highpowered laser pointers came into effect in 2014, but has yet to respond to Robinson’s calls for a ban.

Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) deputy chief executive Dean Winter said he shared Robinson’s concerns, but it was “enormously difficult” to investigate the strikes.

Pilots reported two laser strikes in the past week. On Wednesday, a laser was pointed at a commercial aircraft at Auckland Airport and last Friday a domestic Air New Zealand flight was targeted when flying into Whanga¯rei.

Offenders face up to three years in prison or a fine up to $2000 if convicted of possession of a highpowered laser or up to 14 years in jail if convicted under the Crimes Act for endangering transport.

Between 2016-2019, 809 laser incidents were reported to the CAA, compared to the 430 between 2012-2015.

Robinson said laser strikes generally happened during school holidays at major airports.

They could cause blindness, headaches and make a pilot unable to operate the plane.

With calls to ban the lasers not acted on, Robinson feared lives were at stake if nothing was done.

“If these lasers continue to be in circulation and get in the hands of malicious users, then there’s always the possibility it can bring down an aircraft.”

Robinson wanted the penalties doubled, in conjunction with bans on high-powered lasers.

A similarly pressing issue for pilots was drones. Police are investigating after one flew within seven metres of a helicopter landing on the Dunedin Hospital helipad on Wednesday. Otago Rescue Helicopter chief pilot Graham Gale said it could have been catastrophic.

Between 2017-2020, more than 2000 drone incidents were reported to the CAA, compared to 375 between 2013-2016.

Robinson said he was meeting the MoT next month to convey concerns about drone operation regulation and education. However, he stressed the difference between drones and lasers.

“In my experience, drone incidents are due more to lack of education than maliciousness, whereas laser incidents are definitely malicious.”

Nevertheless, Robinson said that shouldn’t detract from the gravity of drone incidents. A drone came close to a Boeing 777 he was flying into the United States about two years ago.

The MoT is seeking public feedback about New Zealand’s future drone regulation.

Although he was glad to see signs of change, Robinson said progress had been too slow after years of campaigning.

“We’ve been frustrated at the length of time it’s taken.”

Adam Pearse