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REMARKS FOR
NORMAN Y. MINETA
SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION
LASERS IN THE COCKPIT MEDIA EVENT
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
JANUARY 12, 2005
10:30 AM CST
Good morning. I want to thank you all for coming today about such an
important issue.
Over the past six weeks, there have been an unusually high number of incidents
of pilots reporting a laser being shined into an aircraft. Specifically, there
have been 31 reported incidents since December 23 of what we call unauthorized
laser illumination events, with seven happening over this weekend.
Reports of lasers being shined at aircraft are not new. There have been over 400
instances reported since 1990. However, I am concerned by the recent increase in
frequency.
First, let me address the security issue. There is no specific or credible
intelligence that would indicate that these laser incidents are connected to
terrorists. As far as we know, lasers are not the terrorists’ weapon of choice.
Nor is there any evidence that these incidents are terrorists practicing for use
of other weapons, as some have speculated.
What we are concerned with is a very small number of irresponsible people using
pen-style lasers and commercially available star pointers to illuminate aircraft
in a way that could be dangerous and illegal. Lasers are not toys, and shining
one into a cockpit can put pilots, crew, and passengers in harm’s way.
Recent research conducted by the FAA right here in Oklahoma City has found that
some lasers, when shined into a plane’s cockpit, could temporarily disorient or
disable a pilot during critical stages of flight such as landing or take off.
Even worse, in a few cases, these lasers can cause permanent eye damage for
those who look directly into the beam.
We are treating lasers in the cockpit as a serious aviation safety matter. We
will not allow careless people making stupid choices to put pilots and their
passengers at risk.
That is why today I am announcing new measures designed to protect pilots and
crew and to discourage future laser incidents.
I have asked the Department’s Federal Aviation Administration to distribute an
Advisory Circular that contains new guidelines to give pilots, air traffic
controllers, and law enforcement timely information about laser incidents.
The new guidelines will help pilots identify areas where lasers have been
sighted, will assist controllers in reporting laser incidents, and will give
police the information as quickly as possible in order to investigate and
prosecute criminals who put aircraft at risk.
Starting January 19, all pilots will be required to report immediately any laser
sightings to air traffic controllers. Controllers will then be required to share
these reports through the Federal Domestic Events Network, or DEN. The DEN is a
phone bridge that is constantly monitored by safety, security, and law
enforcement personnel.
Once these laser incidents are posted on the network, our air traffic
controllers will work with police to identify the source of the lasers. The goal
is to get police quickly to the scene of the crime. If the person is
apprehended, we will do everything we can to make sure the case is aggressively
prosecuted.
So let me be clear: shining these lasers at an airplane is not a harmless prank.
It is stupid and dangerous. You are putting other people at risk, and law
enforcement authorities are going to seek you out, and if they catch you, they
are going to prosecute you. It is not a harmless prank.
That is why the Advisory Circular also establishes procedures for pilots to get
timely information about any reported laser sighting. The FAA is putting in
place a new system that will allow controllers to broadcast any and all laser
sightings so that pilots know about these incidents as quickly as we do. These
broadcasts will begin as soon as an incident is reported, and will be repeated
every five minutes over the next twenty minutes.
These reports will be shared with the commercial and general aviation
communities so that their members will have the same information we do.
We have asked groups like the Air Transport Association and the National
Business Aircraft Association to help us get this important information to all
pilots as quickly as possible. We also are asking pilots who are operating in
uncontrolled airspace to issue a general caution to all nearby pilots over the
radio. Pilots will be able to use this information as they work with air traffic
controllers to avoid flying in areas where lasers are being shined at planes.
We will also be working with the Food and Drug Administration, the Consumer
Product Safety Commission and other agencies to improve product labeling and
better educate the public.
We must act now, before someone’s reckless actions lead to a terrible and tragic
incident. That is why we have developed these new measures outlined in today’s
Advisory Circular.
In a few minutes, you will see a simulation of what it is like for a pilot to
have a laser shined into the cockpit, and you will see some examples of the
research underway to better understand the risks posed by lasers, and to develop
new technology to better protect pilots and crew.
At the moment, there is no single device that can be installed on an aircraft or
issued to pilots and crew that can provide a level of protections equal to the
safety threat posed by these lasers.
The best way to protect pilots and passengers alike is to deter any future
irresponsible behavior. We will find out who is shining these lasers into
cockpits and we will catch them. What this means is that we have just added tens
of thousands of eyes in the sky, and if you are shining a laser at a plane, we
will find you and we will prosecute you.
Enforcement is crucial, but it is also vital that we take steps to protect the
traveling public. We must give pilots the information that they need to avoid
the potential dangers posed by reckless individuals whose actions endanger
hundreds of people.
We will not be acting alone. The nation’s pilots, air traffic controllers, and
law enforcers will be working together to put a stop to this reckless behavior,
and my message to anyone considering pointing a laser at a plane is to think
twice unless you are ready to go to jail.
Thank you, and before we begin our demonstration, I would be happy to answer a
few questions.
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