I'll start off by saying I seriously doubt that anyone here or anyone in SLAS did it but while flying north over I-15 in the south end of the valley last night at 11:25 I was hit by a very bright green laser coming from the east. I was not amused. Much to my irritation ATC would not let me go over and circle the place where the beam came from in hopes cops might be able to find those responsible. It was about as far east of the freeway as Wheeler Farm is and for a moment I wondered if it was coming from the star party. But since I'd been there for the star party an hour or so before I'm pretty sure it was south of Wheeler. Happily no damage or side effects but, like I say, I was not amused. One good thing did come of it, when I landed I met with an airport cop who had me fill out a report and while doing that he drove me over to see this: http://users.wirelessbeehive.com/~paw/temp/fifi.jpg I've seen a lot of old aircraft but this was my first meeting with Fifi (the last one flying of her kind). patrick
Please describe the effects of being hit with the green laser. Inquiring minds want to know. --- I am serious. I would like to know about it from a pilot who has been on the receiving end. Joan P.S. NO!!!! I am not confessing. My green laser was safelty tucked in a "hidey hole" in my car. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Wiggins Patrick" <paw@getbeehive.net> To: "Astronomy Utah" <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Saturday, July 19, 2014 4:06:34 AM Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Who done it? I'll start off by saying I seriously doubt that anyone here or anyone in SLAS did it but while flying north over I-15 in the south end of the valley last night at 11:25 I was hit by a very bright green laser coming from the east. I was not amused. Much to my irritation ATC would not let me go over and circle the place where the beam came from in hopes cops might be able to find those responsible. It was about as far east of the freeway as Wheeler Farm is and for a moment I wondered if it was coming from the star party. But since I'd been there for the star party an hour or so before I'm pretty sure it was south of Wheeler. Happily no damage or side effects but, like I say, I was not amused. One good thing did come of it, when I landed I met with an airport cop who had me fill out a report and while doing that he drove me over to see this: http://users.wirelessbeehive.com/~paw/temp/fifi.jpg I've seen a lot of old aircraft but this was my first meeting with Fifi (the last one flying of her kind). patrick _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Send messages to the list to Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com The Utah-Astronomy mailing list is not affiliated with any astronomy club. To unsubscribe go to: http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Then enter your email address in the space provided and click on "Unsubscribe or edit options".
I don't think I was hit directly. If I had been I suspect there would have been some sort of after-image. Rather it was from the far right side of my vision and the source was far enough away that I only got the flashes but there was not enough energy from the beams to light up the entire cockpit. patrick On 19 Jul 2014, at 10:10, CenturyLink Customer <jcarman6@q.com> wrote:
Please describe the effects of being hit with the green laser. Inquiring minds want to know. --- I am serious. I would like to know about it from a pilot who has been on the receiving end.
Joan
P.S. NO!!!! I am not confessing. My green laser was safelty tucked in a "hidey hole" in my car.
What was your altitude? My green laser specs say it will extend 38,0000 feet. Well into commercial air traffic range, especially around the airport. So I am never near an airport and am careful to ensure no planes are around the area I am pointing at. If you saw flashes, do you think "he/she" was aware of a private plane in the vicinity (you did have you flashing lights on didn't you?)? The only reason to point a green laser up is to point out stars and constellations and such, so its a good bet it was someone with some night sky knowledge. I know this is problem, but I'm very curous about the specific effects. After images, yeah I get that, Lighting up the cabin for a second or two? What's the danger there? other than it's unexpected. Would really like to understand the specific problems/issues. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Wiggins Patrick" <paw@getbeehive.net> To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Saturday, July 19, 2014 2:55:19 PM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Who done it? I don't think I was hit directly. If I had been I suspect there would have been some sort of after-image. Rather it was from the far right side of my vision and the source was far enough away that I only got the flashes but there was not enough energy from the beams to light up the entire cockpit. patrick On 19 Jul 2014, at 10:10, CenturyLink Customer <jcarman6@q.com> wrote:
Please describe the effects of being hit with the green laser. Inquiring minds want to know. --- I am serious. I would like to know about it from a pilot who has been on the receiving end.
Joan
P.S. NO!!!! I am not confessing. My green laser was safelty tucked in a "hidey hole" in my car.
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Send messages to the list to Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com The Utah-Astronomy mailing list is not affiliated with any astronomy club. To unsubscribe go to: http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Then enter your email address in the space provided and click on "Unsubscribe or edit options".
On 19 Jul 2014, at 15:21, CenturyLink Customer <jcarman6@q.com> wrote:
What was your altitude?
About 2,000' above the ground.
If you saw flashes, do you think "he/she" was aware of a private plane in the vicinity
I really can't say.
(you did have you flashing lights on didn't you?)?
Yes, all lights on.
Lighting up the cabin for a second or two?
No internal illumination. I only saw the flashes.
What's the danger there?
In this case probably none. But the person with the laser did not know that. patrick
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CenturyLink Customer -
Wiggins Patrick