[AZ-Observing] Re: Phoenix man sentenced for shining laser at two commercial airliners, police helicopter over Valley

  • From: Tim Jones <tjmac@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Thu, 9 Aug 2012 11:16:43 -0700

However, using Dan's logic as the impetus and given a proper defense that 
invalidated the claims of potential harm for the commercial pilots, the 
sentence could have been much less - regardless of the federal vs. local 
standing.  And if nothing else, it could further publicly identify the overly 
zealous and heavy handed nature of those organizations.

Sorry to go political on this, but after my last wonderfully relaxing trip 
throughout the Aegean and Med (6 countries) and my return to our wonderful, 
free country (where it took over 30 minutes  and an LSAT-level load of 
questions to get through customs as a citizen with nothing to declare), 
anything that can be done to put those guys in their place is a plus in my eyes.

Tim

On Aug 9, 2012, at 10:38 AM, Rick Tejera wrote:

> Tim,
> Not sure what his lawyer could've done, he admitted to doing it and
> regardless of the effect on the pilots, it is a crime to knowingly shine a
> laser at an aircraft. Seems he was charged with a local ordinance as opposed
> to a federal case (which he could have been) The TSA & FAA would not been
> quite so lenient. I seem to recall some schmo in Maryland getting a year at
> the Graybar and his vacation wasn't all expenses paid, he also got fined to
> the tune of $10,000.  Granted, I think he was the first to be charge and as
> such, as is the FAA's custom, they chose to make an example of him.
> 
> Rick Tejera (K7TEJ)
> Sagauro Astronomy Club
> www.saguaroastro.org
> Thunderbird Amatuer Radio Club
> www.w7tbc.org
> 30 Meter Digital Group # 5794
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Tim Jones
> Sent: Thursday, 09 August, 2012 10:28
> To: az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [AZ-Observing] Re: Phoenix man sentenced for shining laser at two
> commercial airliners, police helicopter over Valley
> 
> On Aug 9, 2012, at 10:17 AM, Dan Heim wrote:
> 
>> And your comment about choppers being more vulnerable makes perfect sense.
> Airliners at altitude, though, would seem fairly impervious to your average
> laser pointer. When you take beam divergence and angle of incidence into
> account, there ain't gonna be that much laser light entering the cockpit.
> 
> While I agree with the be careful, use common sense train of thought, I also
> feel that his attorney didn't serve him properly.
> 
> Tim
> 
> --
> See message header for info on list archives or unsubscribing, and please
> send personal replies to the author, not the list.
> 
> 
> --
> See message header for info on list archives or unsubscribing, and please 
> send personal replies to the author, not the list.
> 

--
See message header for info on list archives or unsubscribing, and please 
send personal replies to the author, not the list.

Other related posts:

  1. Home
  2. az-observing
  3. Archive
  4. 08-2012