Laser illumination response

Laser or bright directed light in cockpit = mainly workflow-disruption hazard, not eye-injury hazard.

Effects:

• Startle, glare, temporary vision loss (flash blindness, afterimage).
• Flash short; startle can last many seconds.
• Eye injury only remote: needs far more power than lasers in common use.

Highest risk: below 10 000 ft AGL: approach and landing, dense traffic areas, near airports.

Prevention:

• Avoid known permanent laser displays. Canada has only one: Shaw Millennium Park, Calgary, used just for special events, with a NOTAM on those days.
• Extra exterior lights on: ground laser safety observers find the aircraft, cut the beam.
• Thunderstorm lights on: minimize cockpit illumination effects.
• Engage autopilot.
• One crew member on instruments.

If illuminated:

• Look away from source or shield eyes. Do not stare at beam.
• Alert other crew member(s); state vision effect.
• Vision impaired: hand control to other crew member. If also hit, engage autopilot.
• Watch for spatial disorientation (the leans). Once vision returns, check instruments.
• Do not rub eyes: can add irritation or damage.
• Call ATC, report "LASER ILLUMINATION" (standard term for all such reports). Declare emergency if warranted.
• When time allows, give ATC: location, direction, colour of beam, length of exposure, effect on crew.

After landing:

• Persistent symptoms (pain, flash blindness, afterimage): immediate medical attention. Contact a RAMO or aviation medical officer.
• Laser-damaged eye starts repairing itself right away: see an ophthalmologist within five hours of exposure.

Trap: control transfer is conditional on impaired vision, not automatic on every illumination; autopilot only if the other crew member is also hit.

Practice