A comprehensive resource for safe and responsible laser use


Files and downloads


Click to download the files below. Some additional documents are on the pages Information and studies from FAA and others and Information and studies on laser safety.

Longer version of paper presented at the 2015 International Laser Safety Conference in Albuquerque. An excellent overview for persons in aviation including pilots and regulators.
PowerPoint slides discussing little-understood facts about lasers, for pilots and aviation interests. Presented to SAE G10 Committee, Jan. 31 2012. 4.7 MB
Slides from a presentation to the Health Physics Society, July 14 2015
PowerPoint slides discussing laser/aircraft incidents reported to FAA in 2011. Presented to SAE G10 Committee, Jan. 31 2012. 7 MB
How the FAA derives its authority to fine persons for aiming lasers at aircraft. 109 KB
PowerPoint slides from March 2009 presentation by Van Nakagawara, FAA, to the plenary session of the International Laser Safety Conference in Reno, NV. 6.4 MB
Paper by Patrick Murphy, ILDA, giving an overview of the safety issue. Updated from the version published in the Proceedings of the International Laser Safety Conference, March 2009. 1 MB
PowerPoint slides, updated since the original March 2009 presentation by Patrick Murphy, ILDA, to the International Laser Safety Conference meeting in Reno, NV. 6.3 MB
A 55-page Dutch study of laser and searchlight effects on pilots. Many excellent photos. (Note: the first few pages are in Dutch, the majority is in English). PDF-format file. 2.8 MB
Skyzan printout showing the hazard from a Wicked Lasers Spyder III Pro Arctic laser pointer
A one-page sheet that can be used by laser pointer distributors and dealers, to inform customers not to point lasers at aircraft. It is suggested to include one sheet per shipment to an end user customer. The flyer and/or the information on it may be freely downloaded and reproduced.
Black and white version of the Caution laser pointer flyer above
A one-page sheet that can be used by distributors and sellers of handheld lasers that are more powerful than "pointers" but less than Class 4, to inform customers not to point lasers at aircraft. It is suggested to include one sheet per shipment to an end user customer. The flyer and/or the information on it may be freely downloaded and reproduced.
Black and white version of the Caution handheld lasers flyer above
A one-page sheet that can be used by distributors and sellers of Class 4 handheld lasers, to inform customers of the many hazards of these lasers. It is suggested to include one sheet per shipment to an end user customer. The flyer and/or the information on it may be freely downloaded and reproduced.
Black and white version of the Warning ... Extreme Caution (Class 4) flyer above
A three-page PDF brochure from the U.S. FDA. Covers hazards of high-powered laser pointers (> 5mW), FDA's authority, and tips for consumers.
Still JPG photo, largest size available, showing the view from a cockpit of an FAA Boeing 727 simulator used in 2004 FAA simulator study of laser light effects on pilots.
Still JPG photo, largest size available, of 0.5 µW/cm² laser light aimed at cockpit. Corresponds to a 5 mW laser pointer at 3,700 feet, or a 50 mW pointer at 2.2 miles.
Still JPG photo, largest size available, of 5.0 µW/cm² laser light aimed at cockpit. Corresponds to a 5 mW laser pointer at 1,200 feet, or a 50 mW pointer at 3,800 feet.
Still JPG photo, largest size available, of 50 µW/cm² laser light aimed at cockpit. Corresponds to a 5 mW laser pointer at 350 feet, or a 50 mW pointer at 1,100 feet.
Still JPG photo, highest resolution available, from the FAA. Public domain.
A Canadian judge weighs various factors in deciding how much to fine a man charged with endangering an aircraft with a laser. 204 KB