Does anybody remember the news stories a few years ago about supposed 'yobs' in the UK shining laser devices into the eyes of airline pilots while they were flying, apparently causing them to go blind temporarily?
I thought it was quite amusing at the time. Was it big deal over nothing, or was it a serious case of reckless behaviour that could have been disasterous?
2006-12-26 11:59:03 · 9 answers · asked by Gilligan 5 in News & Events ➔ Other - News & Events
Total urban myth.
The range on the little pointers is pathetic - no more than 3 or 400 metres (1000ft)...and planes fly at around 10,000 metres (30 to 35 thousand feet).
Total myth...and it takes a good 0.5seconds of exposure to cause temporary 'blindness' at close range...no way anybody could even blind someone in a moving car, never mind a plane!!
2006-12-26 12:08:12 · answer #1 · answered by creviazuk 6 · 4⤊ 3⤋
They went on like it was a big deal-but you can't believe anything you hear on the news anymore. Can laser pens really shine that far (more than 3500 ft in the air)? If so, I would think this would cause a whole slew of reckless people to start doing it. Don't get any ideas...
2006-12-26 12:10:28 · answer #2 · answered by Tishmay 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I remember that :) I assumed it was an urban legend - how many people are close enough to piolets to shine the light in? I think they can cause damage, but not instant damage like was suggested. I've had one shone in my eyes a couple of times, and I can see fine! The batteries gone in my lazer pointer, I need to change that.
2006-12-26 12:03:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't remember the stories regarding pilots but there were quite a few instances of bus drivers suffering at the hands of these idiots.
Certainly not funny, and potentially disastrous.
2006-12-26 21:57:55 · answer #4 · answered by Pit Bull 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I've never heard f that, but I know that the old film company "20th Century Fox" used the spotlights to blind pilots, make the aircaft crash, and then take photographs of the results.
2006-12-26 12:16:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
In reading some of these answers, it makes me wonder when the Mythbusters will try to validate this myth.
2006-12-27 12:35:18 · answer #6 · answered by Tiberius 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It was a serious case that could have caused a big disaster.
2006-12-26 12:02:38 · answer #7 · answered by mauri127sharks 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Why would you think it was amusing????
2006-12-26 12:07:57 · answer #8 · answered by marcoporres 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋