What happens if you point a laser at a police helicopter?

What happens if you point a laser at a police helicopter?

Penal Code 247.5 PC is the California statute that makes it a crime maliciously to discharge a laser (such as a handheld laser pointer) at an occupied aircraft. This offense is a wobbler, meaning prosecutors could charge it as either a misdemeanor or a felony.

What is the punishment for shining a laser at a plane?

The agency takes enforcement action against people who violate Federal Aviation Regulations by shining lasers at aircraft and can impose civil penalties of up to $11,000 per violation. The FAA has imposed civil penalties up to $30,800 against people for multiple laser incidents.

Can you get caught shining laser at plane?

The crime is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. “Shining a laser into the cockpit of an aircraft is not only criminal, it is a serious safety issue for pilots,” U.S. Attorney David Hickton in Pittsburgh said after the law was approved.

Can a laser pointer blind a pilot?

Laser pointers can cause serious eye injuries up close, and even from a distance, they can scatter light inside a plane’s cockpit and temporarily blind pilots, putting everyone on board in danger.

Why is pointing lasers at planes illegal?

While it may seem extreme to criminalize pointing a laser at an aircraft, the reason for these laws is to deter extremely dangerous behavior. Studies have shown that these lasers cause severe glare in the cockpits, essentially temporarily blinding airplane pilots for periods at a time.

Why is it illegal to shine a laser at an aircraft?

“These laser strikes can imperil the aircraft, because it can disorient the pilot on takeoff or landing. They can be temporarily blinded. It’s like being in a dark car and then having a flash bulb go off,” she says. “It’s extremely dangerous, it’s a federal crime, and we take it seriously.”

Is pointing a laser pointer at a plane Illegal?

In the United States, there is a federal law that makes it illegal to aim a laser pointer at an aircraft, or the flight path of an aircraft.

Why is it illegal to point lasers at planes?

Is it illegal to shine a laser in the sky?

While pointing a laser at a helicopter or plane may seem harmless, the opposite is true. It’s dangerous—both to those in the air and on the ground—and it’s a federal crime.