Laser emissions which may endanger the safety of aircraft - Draft Advisory Circular 139.E-03 v1.0

This consultation asked people to review the Draft AC 139.E-03 v1.0 Laser emissions which may endanger the safety of aircraft guidance provided on mitigating the potential harmful effects of laser emissions on pilots. The guidance provided advice on the hazards associated with laser emissions, establishment of protected areas and laser hazard evaluation.

About this consultation
The current AC is brief, and the updated AC provides significantly more guidance in relation to:

• hazards associated with laser emissions
• mitigating the risk of laser emissions
• laser hazard evaluation
• protected flight zones
• operational considerations.

Respondents were asked if the content of the AC clearly identified the hazards associated with laser emissions, provided guidance for the establishment of protected areas and whether the content and structure of the AC is clear and sufficient for the operators of laser light shows.

The responses were generally supportive of the enhanced guidance provided in the AC; however, some specific comments are addressed below.

In total there were 12 responses to the updated AC. Of the respondents who made written submissions, 6 consented to having them made public, 5 requested their submissions be confidential and 1 was a CASA officer.

Four responses were from laser show proponents, 4 from pilots, 1 from an aerodrome operator and 3 others.

Summary of feedback
Detail of responses is as follows:

• Pilots and aircraft operators could be given government subsidies to purchase laser protection eyewear or protection for aircraft windows.
• Malicious use of lasers is not acceptable.
• The guidance does not include control measures if CASA no longer reviews, or assesses, proposed laser displays and does not generate NOTAMs.
• Additional less complex guidance material could be developed e.g. posters or flyers.
• The AC refers to laserpointersafety.com to determine the NOHD and the visual interference results, however this site uses imperial units and does not refer to the relevant Australian Standards. Should AS/NZS 2211 be referenced and other laser classes covered i.e. Class 1, 2 & 3 be included. Should there be designated qualified laser safety officers.
• Why are NOTAM examples provided if CASA is not raising NOTAMs. An online portal should be available with maps of airports and critical flight zones.
• There is no defined approval process for conducting laser displays. Laser operators should be trained, qualified and licensed. CASA should consider some of the recommendations of the International Laser Display Association (ILDA), which provides laser safety courses and recommended standards for laser displays.
• Due to the design of airline windscreens they are not susceptible to malicious laser attacks. However, there should be a NOTAM for any laser light shows.
• The guidance should address deliberate laser attacks as well.
• An explanation would be useful in how to submit NOTAMs.
• Too many rules in regard to lasers for operators.
• Can the AC include information on lighting displays (such as Sky trackers) as this technology is improving and the lighting fixtures are becoming more powerful and accessible. We request a formal process in which CASA can be advised of any lighting displays which project lights into the sky.

The responses to this consultation were greatly appreciated and where appropriate the content of the AC was updated.

Specific changes to the AC include:

• CASA does not assess or approve light shows and the updated AC provides significant extra guidance material to support laser show proponents in assessing the risks to pilots and notifying pilots of these events
• The AC now recommends risk assessments and appointment of laser safety officers for light shows using Class 3B and 4 lasers
• The risks to pilots associated with laser shows does not warrant government expenditure for individual eyewear or aircraft window protection
• CASA does recognise that laser emissions can be a hazard through airline windscreens and as such the guidance material is warranted
• AS/NZS 2211 has been included as a reference, however, is required to be purchased by each laser show proponent, therefore the reference to "Laser Pointer Safety" is retained
• The hazards related to the different laser classes covered has been included in the AC
• Availability of training for laser show proponents, including laser safety officers has been included in the AC
• Guidance has been included on where to access online maps depicting the locations of aerodromes such as the CASA approved "OK2Fly" app
• The AC has been updated to include more content on how to issue NOTAMs, including how to become registered as a NOTAM originator with Airservices Australia.

Next steps
CASA will publish the updated AC, incorporating valuable feedback to the consultation.