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FAA's New Fine: 'Point the laser, pay the price'
Movie stars, warm weather, palm trees and...lasers pointed at aircraft by trouble-making teens and adults: L.A. has a global reputation, and when it comes to those laser pointers, the Federal Aviation Administration is putting their foot down, in the form of a just-announced new fine.
"People who point powerful lasers at planes and helicopters--which can temporarily blind pilots--could face fines as high as $11,000 per violation, the head of the Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday," reports the Associated Press.
There have been over 1,100 laser pointer incidents as reported by pilots so far this year. Last year, Los Angeles took all the glory, with 102 incidents reported at LAX--the most of any U.S. airport.
Randy Babbitt of the FAA put it simply: "Point the laser, pay the price."
While charges can be brought against anyone who attempts to "destroy an aircraft," when it comes to laser pointers, proving malicious intent can be difficult. One 19-year-old Southern California man received a federal prison sentence for his laser pointing shenanigans.
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