Pilot group calls for laser ban. (New Zealand)

Pilots are calling on the Government to ban the import of powerful lasers following a series of strikes on aircraft.

The New Zealand Air Line Pilots Association (NZALPA) said laser strikes had increased rapidly during the past two years.

Several people had been arrested for endangering flights, including two young men who are due to appear in Auckland District Court today.

The teens allegedly shone a laser at a police Eagle helicopter last year.

A third young man was arrested in January after he too ''lasered'' the police chopper when it was sent to find the cause of lights at Auckland Airport.

Laser strikes can cause temporary blindness or permanent eye damage if the user scores a direct hit, the pilots' group said.

Strikes were also associated with flare, flash-blindness, blind spots or after-images.

''At a critical phase of flight, on approach and close to landing, this is extremely dangerous,'' said NZAPLA president Glen Kenny.

Kenny said laser strike could leave pilots without vision for up to 10 minutes.

''Laser strikes are not just an attack on pilots; they are an attack on the travelling public and can at best be described as reckless and dangerous,'' he said.

Kenny said the reason for the increase in laser strikes was not known, but it could be to do with relaxed importing laws.

''It has reached a stage where any member of the public can purchase a commercial grade laser and do what they please with it,'' Kenny said.

There were few legitimate uses for lasers so a ban would not affect too many people. It would require those who needed the tools, such as astronomers, to get a licence.

A ban on lasers stronger than 1mW would bring New Zealand law into line with Australian guidelines.

Other recent incidents involving lasers included a retired Marlborough man admitting aiming a laser beam at Interisland ferries, temporarily blinding crew.

In Australia in 2008, at least four aircraft were targeted with green lasers from up to four different locations during approach to Sydney airport.

If found guilty of interfering with an aircraft, a person can face a maximum 12 months in jail or a fine of up to $10,000.

In 2009, a man received 200 hours community work after shining a laser into the cockpit of a passenger plane as it was landing at Wellington airport.

Source:   http://www.stuff.co.nz