ST Laserstrike, Advanced Laser Attack Protection Technology for the Pilot.
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Aviation safety with Green laser technology
Pilots view on landing when a green 532nm laser is shone into the cockpit.
Green LASER lights which can blind pilots have been fired at planes landing at Airports leading to some pilots having to cover their eyes and others taking evasive action. On each occasion, a powerful laser pen – which can focus a green beam of light at 532nm over several miles – has been used. The devices, which can cost more than £100 and are generally used by astronomers and scientists, have now become dangerous toys.
A cargo plane from Aberdeen was forced to drop 400ft as it approached the runway to avoid a green beam. An easyJet Airbus carrying 59 passengers and six crew travelling on the same flightpath from Stansted was targeted 30 minutes later. Both pilots were dazzled by the beam, suffering a temporary loss of vision, and were forced to cover their eyes at a crucial point in the descent. In March this year two adults were arrested in March after a laser was aimed at a commercial plane near Midway Airport in Chicago. A police helicopter sent to investigate was also illuminated.
A cargo plane from Aberdeen was forced to drop 400ft as it approached the runway to avoid a green beam. An easyJet Airbus carrying 59 passengers and six crew travelling on the same flightpath from Stansted was targeted 30 minutes later. Both pilots were dazzled by the beam, suffering a temporary loss of vision, and were forced to cover their eyes at a crucial point in the descent. In March this year two adults were arrested in March after a laser was aimed at a commercial plane near Midway Airport in Chicago. A police helicopter sent to investigate was also illuminated.
Sudden exposure to laser radiation during a critical phase of flight, such as on approach to landing or departure can distract or disorient a pilot and cause temporary visual impairment. Permanent ocular damage is unlikely since the laser source is generally reduced in intensity due to scattering and absorption over the long distances in the atmosphere. In addition the the eye’s blink response could further limit exposure.
However flight simulator studies have shown that adverse visual effects from laser exposure are especially debilitating when the eyes are adapted to the low-light level of a cockpit at night. Recovery of visual performance after exposure to laser light may take from a few seconds to several minutes. This effect could be even worse for example when the glass canopy of a Helicopter is illuminated by green laser. Apart from the obvious distraction of such a flash, the three most commonly reported physiological effects associated with green laser exposures are:
Glare
Visual blocking of an object in a person’s field of vision due to a bright light source located near the same line of sight.
Flashblindness
Temporary loss of vision after the source of illumination has been removed.
Afterimage
A transient image left in the visual field after an exposure to a bright light.
Laser protection filters for infrared laser applications are relatively easy to design because the wavelengths emitted by such lasers are outside of the visible spectrum. The 532nm wavelength emitted by green lasers, however is in the centre and most sensitive part of the human Photopic region making filter design more of a challenge.
ST Laserstrike has developed a laser safety filter technology using a combination of advanced plastics and precision thin film technology which allows the user to see a completely balanced colour view while totally blocking the laser at the required wavelengths. In addition the technology provides outstanding visible light transmission when compared with other types of multi colour laser blocking technologies.Other types of blue & green laser filters use absorbing materials only which generally remove all the blue and a signifcant amount of green from the visible spectrum. This makes the eyewear completely unsuitable for flying or in fact operating any piece of important equipment.
ST Laserstrike eyewear is manufactured at our high-tech UK manufacturing facility using the latest in RX prescription lens production techniques and advanced coating technology to create outstanding bespoke pilots laser protection glasses.
If you are interested in purchasing Pilot's Laser Strike Glasses you can find more information from: ST Laserstrike Eyewear shop
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