December 15, 2024
TRENTON, NJ — New Jersey now has a song dealing with all the recent drone sightings. The New Jersey Drone Song has been released by YouTube user Toon Trap today and has been posted to YouTube today. Check it out below:
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Several radio reports have been recived over the past few nights that some people have been pointing lasers at aircraft thoughout New Jersey. It appears that this increase in laser pointing is due to the recent hightened awareness of possible drone activity. The majority of lights in the sky many people have reported are actually commerical, millitary and private aircraft and not drones. The lasers are powerful enough to interfear with crewmembers trying to fly planes. Even if you think it is a drone do not point a laser at the craft since more than likley it is a manned aircraft and not a drone.
Think about it you would not want to be on board a plane with 200 of your fellow passengers when your pilot is blinded due to someone on the ground pointing a laser at it.
The crime is punishable by a fine up to $250,000 and five years’ imprisonment.
Laser strikes on aircraft are dangerous and could temporarily blind a pilot, putting them, their passengers and people below in danger.
If you are using lasers for your holiday light display make sure they are not pointing in the air where they could hit an aircraft.
On February 14, 2012, the President signed Public Law 112-95 (PDF), the “FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012.” Section 311 amended Title 18 of the United States Code (U.S.C.) Chapter 2, § 39, by adding § 39A, which makes it a federal crime to aim a laser pointer at an aircraft.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continues to be aware and track an increasing number of unauthorized laser illumination incidents nationwide. Shining a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime that the U.S. vigorously pursues, as it distract pilots from their safety duties and can lead to temporary blindness during critical phases of flight, such as takeoff and landing. In some cases, pilots have reported eye injuries that required medical treatment. The FAA retains the responsibility for enforcing FAA regulations, including those applicable to laser illumination incidents. The agency recognizes that state and local Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA) are often in the best position to deter, detect, immediately investigate and, as appropriate, pursue law enforcement actions to stop unauthorized laser strikes. The information provided below is intended to support the partnership between the FAA and LEAs in addressing these activities.
On June 1, 2011, the FAA issued an interpretation of 14 CFR § 91.11. This regulation provides that “no person may assault, threaten, intimidate, or interfere with a crewmember in the performance of the crewmember’s duties aboard an aircraft being operated.” Lasers directed at aircraft have the potential to adversely affect safety by interfering with flight crewmembers in the performance of their duties. The FAA considers a situation in which a laser beam is aimed at an aircraft, by a person on the ground or from any other location including from another aircraft, as an interference with a crewmember in the performance of the their duties and a violation of 14 CFR § 91.11. On February 14, 2012, the President signed Public Law 112-95, the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. Section 311 amended Title 18 of the United States Code, Chapter 2, by adding § 39A, which makes it a federal crime to aim a laser pointer at an aircraft. The crime is punishable by a fine up to $250,000 and five years’ imprisonment. The FAA received 9723 laser incident reports for the 2021 calendar-year. This represents an increase of 39% over 2020.
LE Guidance for Laser updated on 3-1-22Download
LAW ENFORCEMENT GUIDANCE FOR IDENTIFYING AND REPORTING UNAUTHORIZED LASER ILLUMINATION INCIDENTS AGAINST AIRCRAFT
