The Effects of Laser Illumination on Operational and Visual Performance of Pilots During Final Approach

[摘要] Introduction: Several hundred incidents involving the illumination of aircrew members by laser light have been reported in recent years, including several that could have had serious consequences. The purpose of this report is to evaluate the performance of pilots exposed to visible laser radiation during final approach maneuvers at 100 feet above the runway in the Laser-Free Zone (LFZ).Methods: Thirty-four pilots served as test subjects for this study. Pilot performance was assessed in a Boeing 727-200 Level C flight simulator using four eye-safe levels of visible laser light (0, 0.5, 5, and 50 mW/cm2 during four final approach maneuvers (three 30o left and one 30o right turn to final approach). Subjective responses were solicited after each trial and during an exit interview. The pilots were asked to rate on a scale from 1 to 5 (1 = none, 2 = slight, 3 = moderate, 4 = great, and 5 = very great) the affect each laser exposure had on their ability to operate the aircraft and on their visual performance. The average subjective ratings were calculated for each exposure level and flight maneuver, and an analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed.Results: Average subjective ratings for operational and visual performance were 2.93 (Range = 2.35 � 3.29; SD = 1.37) and 3.16 (Range = 2.56 � 3.62; SD = 1.30), respectively. ANOVA found statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) between the 0.5 mW/cm2 operational and visual performance ratings and those for the 5 and 50 mW/cm2 exposures. Approximately 75% of the survey responses indicated that subjects experienced adverse visual effects resulting in some degree of operational difficulty when illuminated by low-level laser radiation.Conclusion: This study confirmed that the illumination of flight crewmembers with laser radiation > 0.5 mW/cm2 is unacceptable in the LFZ. Provided the exposure limit established for the LFZ (i.e., 50 nW/cm2) is not exceeded, a sufficient margin of safety appears to exist for protecting pilots from accidental laser exposure during final approach.

[发布机构] FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine - Civil Aerospace Medical Institute

[关键词] Lasers;Eye;Perception;Performance;Pilots;Vision