Laser pranks are causing potential dangers for SA pilots
Martin Bester spoke to a South African pilot about laser pranks, which see people shining lasers into the pilot’s eyes while they are flying a plane.
Pilots are being forced to switch off their lights using stealth tactics to hide their planes as people are shining lasers into the pilot’s eyes.
They especially use these measures when taking off or landing, as these "laser pranks" are more impactful during these times.
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This issue has been picked up across the world as even the US Air Force has issued warnings against these pranks.
Breakfast with Martin Bester spoke to a South African pilot, Hannes (surname omitted), about this worrisome occurrence.
Hannes said this is annoying and even more annoying at night when it hits the cockpit window, which causes it to reflect in one's eye.
"It's not such a big when it's far out, you know when we're still a couple of miles out from landing," says the pilot.
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"But if this happens close to the landing… this can be fairly dangerous and potentially life-threatening."
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