Laser beams being aimed at airliners?

Yes, they do, the green lasers especially. In fact, there are several
varieties of emergency signallers which are *designed* to reach search
aircraft. They're obviously not designed to blind the searchers, however,
and this review makes it seem like it would be pretty difficult to keep a
laser trained on a cockpit long enough to cause any eye damage.

http://www.equipped.com/rescuelaser.htm


"Matt Barrow" wrote in message
...

"Gene Seibel" wrote in message
ups.com...
Does anyone know if these are industrial strength lasers, or the green
laser pens that amateur astronomy buffs use for pointing out stars?
--
According to a radio show last night, the lasers have been all "green"
except one. Sounds like it might be the laser pens, but do those have
enough
strength to light up a target several thousand feet away?


Matt -- still using a wooden pointer (you can't scratch your own back with
a
laser pointer).
---------------------
Matthew W. Barrow
Site-Fill Homes, LLC.
Montrose, CO

"Jeremy Lew" wrote in message
...
Yes, they do, the green lasers especially. In fact, there are several
varieties of emergency signallers which are *designed* to reach search
aircraft. They're obviously not designed to blind the searchers, however,
and this review makes it seem like it would be pretty difficult to keep a
laser trained on a cockpit long enough to cause any eye damage.

As I previously said, damaging someone's retina at that distance is
practically impossible. Anyone who's not comatose will shut their eyes well
before any damage is done. In decades of audience scanning with high power
lasers (not legal in the US) I don't think there's ever been a confirmed
case of permanent injury to a spectator. And the levels are much higher
than could be acheived at a distance of several miles.

moo