The FBI, concerned that terrorists could use lasers as weapons, is investigating why laser beams were directed into the cockpits of seven airplanes in flight since Christmas.
Laser beams can temporarily blind or disorient pilots and possibly cause a plane to crash.
The FBI is looking into two incidents in Colorado Springs, Colo., and one each in Cleveland, Washington, Houston, Teterboro, N.J., and Medford, Ore., according to federal and local law enforcement and transportation officials, some of whom spoke only on condition of anonymity.
"It's not some kid," said Paul Rancatore, a pilot who serves as deputy chairman of the security committee for the Allied Pilots Association. "It's too organized."
Loren Thompson, who teaches military technology at Georgetown University, called it a "rather worrisome development," though he said experts would be more puzzled than alarmed.
"What we're talking about is a fairly powerful visible light laser that has the ability to lock onto a fast-moving aircraft," Thompson said. "That's not the sort of thing you pick up at a military surplus store."
Yahoo! News: FBI Probes Lasers Beamed at Plane Cockpits
:: You first got the heads up on this back in October...
CAPblog: Don't Look at the Pretty Lights
One positive effect of this sudden spate of mainstream media coverage, may be that increased awareness of the problem may help catch those responsible. I mean shooting a bright visible beam up into the sky makes for a pretty big tip-off to law enforcement...
Someone out walking their dog some night, may just call the police if they were to see a bright green laser beam shooting up out of somebody's van!
On another note... if this is effort to down an airplane... it's a pretty half-assed ineffectual one!
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