Most of us have heard of those laser alert devices where the lost
person aims the laser at the rescue craft and wiggles it back and forth
(at night).Apparently, the primary difficulty is wiggling it just right
to get the rescuer to notice it. To use this gadget, you have to be
able to see the rescue craft so aiming it right at the rescue craft is
probably easier than wiggling it back and forth. So...........why not
have the laser pulsed at the optimum frequency to be noticed by the
rescuer? This would be the same as the rescuee wiggling it but would
be much easier. Beam spread can be considerable over any distance so
covering the entire rescue craft is not a problem. Simply have a sight
on the laser and have it auto-pulse when the swithc is pressed.

the idea of the wiggling the laser is not to pulse it but to make sure
it crosses the pilots line of sight by changing the angle/direction of
the laser.

If you just pulsed it and it would not shine directly in the pilot eyes
he may not notice it ...


Makes me wonder how pilots enjoy laserbeams in their eyes ...

Matt

Beam spread in lasers is negligible. That's why it's wiggled.


wrote in message oups.com...
Most of us have heard of those laser alert devices where the lost
person aims the laser at the rescue craft and wiggles it back and forth
(at night).Apparently, the primary difficulty is wiggling it just right
to get the rescuer to notice it. To use this gadget, you have to be
able to see the rescue craft so aiming it right at the rescue craft is
probably easier than wiggling it back and forth. So...........why not
have the laser pulsed at the optimum frequency to be noticed by the
rescuer? This would be the same as the rescuee wiggling it but would
be much easier. Beam spread can be considerable over any distance so
covering the entire rescue craft is not a problem. Simply have a sight
on the laser and have it auto-pulse when the swithc is pressed.

Isn't pointing a Laser at an aircraft a Felony?

Maybe I am out of date but last time I checked a laser was not listed as an
approved distress signal in either 46CFR or SOLAS.


wrote in message
oups.com...
Most of us have heard of those laser alert devices where the lost
person aims the laser at the rescue craft and wiggles it back and forth
(at night).Apparently, the primary difficulty is wiggling it just right
to get the rescuer to notice it. To use this gadget, you have to be
able to see the rescue craft so aiming it right at the rescue craft is
probably easier than wiggling it back and forth. So...........why not
have the laser pulsed at the optimum frequency to be noticed by the
rescuer? This would be the same as the rescuee wiggling it but would
be much easier. Beam spread can be considerable over any distance so
covering the entire rescue craft is not a problem. Simply have a sight
on the laser and have it auto-pulse when the swithc is pressed.

On Tue, 3 Jan 2006 21:34:20 -0500, "J Merrill"
wrote:

Isn't pointing a Laser at an aircraft a Felony?

Yes, indirectly. A number of people have been arrested/convicted
recently for illuminating planes with laser pointers.

http://tinyurl.com/d8d5s


Maybe I am out of date but last time I checked a laser was not listed as an
approved distress signal in either 46CFR or SOLAS.

Not likely to be on the approved list considering the above.