A HASTINGS flying instructor believes NSW should follow in the footsteps of Western Australian and declare hand-held lasers “controlled weapons” after an incident in the skies above Port Macquarie.
Yesterday, the Western Australian Police Minister John Kobelke declared laser pointers to be ‘controlled weapons’ with fines of up to $4000 or 12 months jail for their illegal use.
It is a move that will strengthen the push in New South Wales to have the hand-held devices officially banned.
A 22-year-old Victorian pilot said he was momentarily blinded by a laser as he flew above Port Macquarie on Thursday night.
CoastJet flying instructor, Dean McMahon, who was supervising the pilot from the ground on the night of the attack, believes more severe consequences are required for the illegal use of lasers.
“While the pilot I was supervising that night was more than experienced, my concern is that it could happen to someone else and they may panic,” Mr McMahon said.
“The airport here is so busy now, there are more and more planes in the sky and it will continue to be like that.”
The pilot was clocking-up extra flying hours with CoastJet to extend his licence when he was disoriented by a green laser light shining through the cockpit window.
It is believed the laser came from an area south-west of the Oxley Highway and Major Innes Rd on Thursday night.
Although Port Macquarie police carried out an extensive search of the location no-one was caught.
The pilot, who did not want to be named, said the stunt was incredibly dangerous.
“I don’t want to talk about it too much because I think people are likely to carry out copycat offences,” he said.
“It is a nationwide problem that some people seem to think is a smart thing to do.”
The visiting pilot, who has been flying for four years, said this was the first time he had a laser shone in his face while flying.
CoastJet chief flying instructor Kevin McMurtie said while the culprits may not have intended to injure anyone the incident could easily have had an unhappy ending.
“This is unacceptable and dangerous behaviour,” he said.
“If the pilot was disoriented enough he could have crashed the plane and killed people on the ground.
“A direct hit to the eye can also cause serious damage.”
As far as Mr McMurtie is aware this is the first time a laser attack on a pilot has happened in the Hastings.
Police have issued a warning to those responsible for the prank saying it could have had catastrophic consequences.
“This sort of thing could bring down an aircraft on a populated area and anyone caught committing such an offence will feel the full weight of the law,” a police spokesman said.
“Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information that might help police can call the Port Macquarie station on 6583 0199 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
Earlier this year pilots demanded authorities hold an urgent summit on aviation safety after a spate of laser light attacks at Sydney airport.
The NSW government has announced moves to ban the lasers, which would see NSW catching up with other states.