Lasers & directed bright lights

Do not point a laser or bright light at aircraft. Two separate rules:

• Directed bright light (CAR 601.20): no person shall project a directed bright light source into navigable airspace in a way that creates a hazard to aviation safety, or damage or injury. There is no altitude cutoff; the test is the hazard, not the height.
• Hand-held lasers (CAR 601.19): no possession of a hand-held laser rated greater than 1 mW within a 10-km radius of the geometric centre of an airport or heliport, or inside the listed Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver municipalities. Exemptions cover transport to/from and inside a dwelling, and legitimate (occupational, educational, employment, astronomy) use.

To project a directed bright light into navigable airspace legally, you must get a written authorization from the Minister first (CAR 601.21). ATC or a NOTAM does not authorize it.

Trap: the laser possession limit is 1 mW within 10 km of an airport/heliport, not 5 mW or 5 NM.

Practice