icao provisions regarding laser interference in aviation · international civil aviation...

International Civil Aviation Organization

ICAO

provisions regarding laser

interference in aviation

Brussels, 10 October 2011

Christopher Keohan, Regional Officer – Meteorology

European and North Atlantic Office

Purpose for this event: deliver presentation on ICAO laser interference provisions to promote State awareness to implement provisions

Overview

�What?– Standards regarding laser interference in aviation

�When?– Implementation in accordance to amendment cycles of

Annex 11 and 14

�Where?– Aerodrome, approach

�Why?– Safety of flight

�Who?– State/Civil Aviation Authorities/Air Navigation Service Providers


Overview

�Background

�Provisions in Annex 11 and 14 to the Chicago Convention

�Provisions in the Manual on Laser Emitters and Flight Safety (Doc 9815)


Background

– An ICAO study group was formed in 1999 to evaluate the laser risk and consider whether new SARPs were necessary

– Consequently SARPs were developed and incorporated in Annex 11 and 14 to the Chicago Convention, including essential definitions

– Guidance material was also issued by ICAO (Doc 9815) to reduce the need for regulatory authorities to seek expert advice and to reduce inconsistencies between States in the implementation of national regulations


Annex 11 to the Chicago Convention

� One standard contained in Annex 11 (Air Traffic Services), Chapter 2 (General), par. 2.18 (Coordination of activities potentially hazardous to civil aircraft):

2.18.5: “Adequate steps shall be taken to prevent emission of laser beams from adversely affecting flight operations.”

Note 1.— Guidance material regarding the hazardous effects of laser emitters on flight operations is contained in the Manual on Laser Emitters and Flight Safety (Doc 9815).

Note 2.— See also Annex 14 — Aerodromes, Volume I — Aerodrome Design and Operations, Chapter 5.



� One recommended practice contained in Annex 14 (Aerodromes), Volume I (Aerodrome Design and Operations), Chapter 5 (Visual aids for navigation), par 5.3 Lights, subpar. 5.3.1.2 (Laser emissions which may endanger the safety of aircraft):

5.3.1.2 Recommendation.— To protect the safety of

aircraft against the hazardous effects of laser emitters,

the following protected zones should be established

around aerodromes:

— a laser-beam free flight zone (LFFZ)

— a laser-beam critical flight zone (LCFZ)

— a laser-beam sensitive flight zone (LSFZ).


Annex 14: essential definitions

(these definitions are found in Annex 14 to the Chicago Convention)

� Protected flight zones. Airspace specifically designated to mitigate the hazardous effects of laser radiation

� Laser-beam free flight zone (LFFZ). Airspace in the immediate proximity of the aerodrome where the irradiance is restricted to a level unlikely to cause any visual disruption.

� Laser-beam critical flight zone (LCFZ). Airspace in the proximity of an aerodrome but beyond the LFFZ where the irradiance is restricted to a level unlikely to cause glare effects.

� Laser-beam sensitive flight zone (LSFZ). Airspace outside, and not necessarily contiguous with, the LFFZ and LCFZ where the irradiance is restricted to a level unlikely to cause flash-blindness or after-image effects.

� Normal flight zone (NFZ). Airspace not defined as LFFZ, LCFZ or LSFZ but which must be protected from laser radiation capable of causing biological damage to the eye.



� RP 5.3.1.2 is complemented by the following notes:

Note 1.— Figures 5-11, 5-12 and 5-13 may be used to determine the exposure levels and distances that adequately protect flight operations.

Note 2.— The restrictions on the use of laser beams in the three protected flight zones, LFFZ, LCFZ and LSFZ, refer to visible laser beams only. Laser emitters operated by the authorities in a manner compatible with flight safety are excluded. In all navigable airspace, the irradiance level of any laser beam, visible or invisible, is expected to be less than or equal to the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) unless such emission has been notified to the authority and permission obtained.

Note 3.— The protected flight zones are established in order to mitigate the risk of operating laser emitters in the vicinity of aerodromes.

Note 4.— Further guidance on how to protect flight operations from the hazardous effects of laser emitters is contained in the Manual on Laser Emitters and Flight Safety (Doc 9815).

Note 5.— See also Annex 11 — Air Traffic Services, Chapter 2.


Fig 5-11: Protected flight zones


Fig 5-12: Multiple runway LFFZ


Fig 5-13: Protected flight zones with indication of

max. irradiance levels for visible laser beams


Manual on Laser Emitters and Flight

Safety (Doc 9815)

ICAO Doc 9815, manual, issued by ICAO in 2003, addresses the following topics:

- Physics of laser- Laser hazard evaluation- Laser beam bioeffects and their

hazards to flight operations- Operational factors and training of

aircrew- Airspace safety- Documentation of incidents after

suspected laser beam illumination- Medical examination following

suspected laser beam illumination


Thank you!

For regional implementation related questions contact the

ICAO European and North Atlantic Office:

www.paris.icao.int

ICAO Headquarters:

www.icao.int

For medical questions: attention MED

For aerodrome related questions: attention AOP

For air traffic service related questions: attention ATM


icao provisions regarding laser interference in aviation · international civil aviation...

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