Laser Pointer as Signal Device?

Peter Duniho wrote:
wrote in message ...
Actually, Civil Air Patrol and the local search and rescue group
tested this, and they really are not effective for signaling.
If it is all you have, use it.

Much better: USAF 4"x6" or 5"x7" glass signal mirror, with sighting
hole.

Did you compare them to stainless steel mirrors?

Yes, both stainless steel and plastic mirrors. The glass was FAR superior.
We could see the glass mirrors when we could not see the others...
We had a line of people standing 100' apart signaling the airplane.
THe air crews stated universally "the glass mirror 'blew us out of
the cockpit it was so bright'".

I would expect the big problem with CDs is that they don't actually have a
very smooth surface. The light is reflected very unevenly. But I wonder if
one is comaparing them to the commonly found 2"x3" stainless steel mirrors
if the CD's don't come out to perform roughly the same or better (the extra
area compensating for uneven reflections).

Unfortuantely, neither the stainless nor CDs worked well.

Where does one find a 5"x7" glass signal mirror? The only ones I've seen
are the smaller 2"x3" ones. My quick Google search turned up plenty of
side-view mirrors for SUVs, some survival equipment that includes 5x7 tarps
or blankets, but no glass 5"x7" signal mirrors.

Well, you're correct... what I am seeing is 3x5 as the largest.

Google "Wilderness Institude of Survival Education" (WISE) they have
tested this stuff in the field and sell what works. WISE teaches the
survival course the Colorado Wing of Civil Air Patrol. I've taken the
course 3 times and done the winter campout once. I dramatically
changed the contents of my survival kit after that information and
experience. :-)

Best regards,

Jer/ "Flight instruction and mountain flying are my vocation!" Eberhard

--
Jer/ (Slash) Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD, Ft Collins, CO
CELL 970 231-6325 EMAIL jer'at'frii.com WEB http://users.frii.com/jer/
C-206 N9513G, CFII Airplane&Glider, FAA-DEN Aviation Safety Counselor
CAP-CO Mission&Aircraft CheckPilot, BM218 HAM N0FZD, 234 Young Eagles!