Fwd: RE: Green Lasers and the Coast Guard

[Discover Paragliding!]

Here is some follow up information from Greatland Laser about their rescue lasers. There has been some discussion about it recently, so I thought I would share. Namely, the Coast Guard has had some incidents with really stupid people shining powerful lasers into the cockpits of their rescue helo's. (Really stupid people is about the best way I can say it.) Gives new meaning to the band Blind Pilot.

Brad

See you up there,

Brad and Maren
Your 'Couple' of Instructors
www.DiscoverParagliding.com
503-861-2772 (W) 503-440-0733 (c)

-------- Original Message --------

Dear Brad and Maren,

 

I’ve posted the message below on several pages of our website referencing the federal law that allows laser emergency signaling devices to send an emergency distress signal to aircraft.  Unfortunately, there are a number of very powerful green laser pointer type devices on the market that can cause problems if shined at a pilot and these are the ones that have been misused.  The bottom line is that we need to do a better job of educating the US Coast Guard – as well as the general population- about this exception.

 

Thanks again for keeping me updated. 

Kim

 

Kim Erickson, CEO

Greatland Laser

P.O. Box 792

Willow, AK  99688

Telephone:  907-245-4475

Toll Free:  866-889-3425

Fax:  907-245-4599

www.greatlandlaser.com

 

 

Federal Law allows an EXCEPTION for laser emergency signaling devices to send a distress signal to aircraft.

In February 2012, the United States Congress passed into law HR658 authorizing appropriations for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for fiscal years 2011 through 2014.  Included in the law is Section 311 "Prohibition Against Aiming a Laser Pointer at an Aircraft".  Section 311 39A(c)(3) on page 56 specifically exempts "an individual using a laser emergency signaling devices to send an emergency distress signal."  Greatland Laser has sold its patented laser emergency signaling devices throughout the world for over 10 years.  We have never had a safety issue with the products.  Under the exception provided in this federal law, Rescue Lasers are legal to signal an aircraft for help in an emergency.

For an explanation as to why the Rescue Lasers are safe when a standard laser pointer can cause problems, please see refer to "How Do They Work".

 

From: Discover Paragliding! [mailto:Bradan...@DiscoverParagliding.com]
Sent: Monday, August 20, 2012 10:33 AM
To: kim.er...@greatlandlaser.com
Subject: Re: Green Lasers and the Coast Guard

 

That is what I imagined. Keep me posted if you would.

Thanks,  and best of luck sorting it out,

Brad

See you up there,

Brad and Maren
Your 'Couple' of Instructors
www.DiscoverParagliding.com
503-861-2772 (W) 503-440-0733 (c)

On 8/20/2012 11:27 AM, Kim Erickson wrote:

Hi Brad-

 

It is a dilemma and I’m trying to figure out how to solve it.  The problem is not being caused by any of our Rescue Lasers – including the green version --- but by pointers that have a much more concentrated point of light.

 

Thank you for sending the link.  I’ll keep you posted.

 

Kim

 

Kim Erickson, CEO

Greatland Laser

P.O. Box 792

Willow, AK  99688

Telephone:  907-245-4475

Toll Free:  866-889-3425

Fax:  907-245-4599

www.greatlandlaser.com

 

From: Discover Paragliding! [mailto:Bradan...@DiscoverParagliding.com]
Sent: Sunday, August 19, 2012 8:18 PM
To: in...@greatlandlaser.com
Subject: Green Lasers and the Coast Guard

 

Hi there,

Just got this posting from the Coast Guard on my FB account. Piqued my interest and thought I would pass it on to you guys.

http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2012/08/green-lasers-halt-coast-guard-air-searches/

Have you established an opinion on this yet? Curious and it could be a bit of a dilemma.

Hoping there is a viable solution.

Brad

--

See you up there,

Brad and Maren
Your 'Couple' of Instructors
www.DiscoverParagliding.com
503-861-2772 (W) 503-440-0733 (c)