CALIFORNIA – The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced last week that a man pleaded guilty to aiming a laser pointer at a Fresno County Sheriff’s Office helicopter, in a case that underscores growing concerns about laser strikes on aircraft.
Martin Joseph Avila, 66, of Longmont, Colorado, admitted in court that he intentionally directed a laser beam at the aircraft on May 28, 2024. The laser pointer he used had an output of 92.8 milliwatts, more than 18 times the legal limit for such devices.
Laser strikes may seem harmless from the ground, but aviation experts warn they pose a serious risk to pilots…