Green Lasers Update

[rob.black]

G'day All
Help and advice needed. As I live in Home Hill Nth Qld, I am about 1 hour away from Townsville Airport which actually comes under RAAF control, being their airbase up here.
I have a green laser, see previous posts, of 20mw which I planned to use to show a local school the night sky tonight. Being the only amateur astronomer here I thought I'd let the local poilice know about my laser pointer and also the airport. Previous correspondance with the RAAF was non-commital and sent me a document to read.
Now, just three hours ago, I've had two calls from the RAAF and one from CASA.
The CASA call was to say that I couldn't use the laser pointer at all without 48 hours notice and paying $320 approx for them to determine the impact on aircraft!!! I must admit the rep from CASA was very understanding and also enjoyed the night sky. He told me that the laser came under the same approval as if I was having a fireworks display as it shone more than 400 feet into the air.
OK the RAAF and CASA are Federal bodies (and too big to argue with!) yet I thought there was no restrictions in QLD? What's up?
Anything the Society can do or advise as a whole, maybe not for tonight but in future nights that I plan to hold would be greatly appreciated. What about private use? Maybe the night I had planned came under public?
Just because some morons think it funny to shine the lasers in eyes of pilots, the Federal Government have roped everyone under the same restrictions.

Regards,
Rob
Home Hill

[rob.black]

Good News!

Ok, CASA just phoned back up and told me that they had reversed their decision. Under CAR 98 (Dangerous Lighting) I can use the laser in proximity to the Townsville/RAAF aerodrome but before I do I have to inform them 48 hours beforehand and they have the power to stop me if it becomes a nuisance to aircraft.
Dennis has taken my number and details and put it on file for future ref.

The saga ends well....hopefully others don't have to go through the same thing.

Regards,

Rob.

[jonathan.bradshaw]

That's good to hear Rob. They would never know anyway - I have been doing some tests with my 30mw pointer for some up-and-coming field nights and from just a few meters away the beam becomes as good as invisible.

I expect you are sensible enough not to point out fighters to your audience

[david.odriscoll]

I expect you are sensible enough not to point out fighters to your audience

...especially if he doesn't want them to point back with their own lasers, and the delightful little parcels that usually follow along shortly thereafter!!

[john.salini]

Lads, as you should know by now, a person was successfully prosecuted last week for pointing a laser at a commercial aircraft here in SE Qld, and rightly so! Such unbelievable stupidity can spoil it for us legitimate users of these handy devices. After using Terry's Green Laser at St Peter & Paul school Bulimba last night, I could not get the parents and students' attention back as they were quite blown away by the glimmering beam of light pointing to Antares. Responsible use of Green Lasers could easily be a thing of the past if a few more anti-social uses go to court.