Seeing the light

posted by The Vidiot @ 8:22 PM Permalink

Remember the FAA saying how damaging laser pointers were to pilots and the subsequent crackdown hysteria? At the time I knew it was BS, because the low strength, frequency and distance make it impossible for a class 2 laser to cause damage.

I work in the field so I thought it was a no-brainer, but lack of brains never stopped the Feds from over reacting. They even leveled charges of terrorism for shining a laser pointer at an aircraft, the penalty for which is up to 25 years in prison and fines of up to $500,000.

So guess what method the Feds are using to warn pilots away from restricted airspace in DC? Ahh, you guessed it, lasers that are more powerful than those allowed to civilians.

As usual, the government refuses to see the light, but they don't mind subjecting us to it.