The International Cessna^® 170 Association

Dana Christian Welch has the unusual distinction of being the first person in the nation to be convicted of interfering with pilots by aiming lasers at their planes. As a result, the 37 year-old Orange County man will spend 2 1/2 years in federal prison.

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local ... 51857.html

Some years ago, my Canadian Buddy and I were on a trip to Engaland to visit the air museums. I had one of those little pen sized laser pointers that I was using to point out various features on the displayed airplanes. One of the docents suggested I should keep it in my pocket as they were banned in the U.K. Seems that the rabid "Football" fans were using them to try to interfere wih the opposing players on the socker field.

I was "hit" by a green laser while landing at Toronto ON. I was suprised how much of an effect it had. I looked down as soon as I noticed the beam so had little visual loss, but still noticable.