South African Pilots Battle Laser Attacks: A Dangerous and Illegal Prank on the Rise

As they navigate the skies of South Africa, pilots are increasingly subjected to perilous situations not due to mechanical failures or inclement weather, but because of dangerous pranks involving laser pointers. The country's aviators find themselves adopting tactics reminiscent of combat scenarios, forced to fly in near invisibility to evade these laser attacks as they approach or depart from some of the nation’s busiest travel hubs.

These pranks have serious implications—lasers can temporarily or even permanently blind the pilots, disorient them during the crucial stages of landing and take-off, and potentially lead to catastrophic accidents.

The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has characterized the surge in reported laser incidents as alarming. SACAA spokesperson Sisa Majola notes with concern the 16% increase in such events in the previous year alone. As airports like King Shaka, Cape Town International, and OR Tambo International bear the brunt of these incidents, SACAA is working closely with South African law enforcement to take preventative measures and track down offenders.

According to insider accounts from various pilots, the countermeasures to these pranks involve switching off aircraft identification lights on final approach to evade detection by people on the ground launching these laser assaults. Kirby Gordon of FlySafair confirmed this defensive approach while underscoring the added risks of flying 'dark'. Law enforcement has had some successes, such as the apprehension of a juvenile and an adult in isolated instances, but the prevalence of the activity remains a concern.

Moreover, SACAA is spearheading an initiative to raise public awareness regarding the dangers of misusing laser pointers, and enhancing collaboration with local police forces and other law enforcement agencies. Despite these efforts, the relentless increase in laser-related disturbances continues to challenge the aviation sector, not only in South Africa but also internationally, with similar incidents being reported worldwide.

The incidents have reached such a critical level that even the U.S. Military is tightening focus on the issue due to a spike in targeting military aircraft. The urgency for strong countermeasures and education is ever-present, aiming to reduce these occurrences that jeopardize aviation safety. The SACAA's call for heightened awareness and enforcement measures stands as a sobering reminder that what is often dismissed as a simple prank can escalate into a life-threatening situation affecting many lives.