A sentence like this sends a pretty strong message, although there will inevitably be some yahoos out there who continue to do it. As a member of the "low flying" population referenced in the article, I'm glad we don't have many lasers (or people, for that matter) to worry about in Wyoming.

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/ade2f121c0114202b18634a3bf55b749/CA--Laser-Pointed-At-Helicopter

Given that manslaughter seems to get 2-11 years I bet this will be reduced on appeal. Sends a strong message about lasers though.

I've never understood why someone would do that...

rw2 wrote:Given that manslaughter seems to get 2-11 years I bet this will be reduced on appeal. ...

You don't know Fresno. We are the home of "3 strikes and your out" life sentences for 3 time felons. This gang member was using a green laser at police helicopters and medical evacuation flights.

Fresno wrote:

rw2 wrote:Given that manslaughter seems to get 2-11 years I bet this will be reduced on appeal. ...

You don't know Fresno. We are the home of "3 strikes and your out" life sentences for 3 time felons. This gang member was using a green laser at police helicopters and medical evacuation flights.

Yeah, I also caught that his own lawyer was proposing 5 years, which would still be the highest ever for the crime.

rw2 wrote:
Yeah, I also caught that his own lawyer was proposing 5 years, which would still be the highest ever for the crime.

Looks like the judge will save the 5 year sentence for his girlfriend for the same incident.

I wonder how much street cred you get on the inside for being convicted of a laser felony.

soyAnarchisto wrote:I wonder how much street cred you get on the inside for being convicted of a laser felony.

Ha! Yeah, I'm guessing that he tells his cellmate that it was assaulting a peace officer with a deadly weapon and that a few months into his ride everyone finds out and mocks him for catching 14 years for shining a flashlight into the air.

Think "Alice's Restaurant"

What you in here for?

"Littering"

We've had a challenge this winter with a new resident in North Pole complaining about helicopter noise. He lives under one of three mandatory reporting points and under the PAR approach path. We've moved the reporting point, raised the altitude, and restricted use of this point, which is the only one on the east side of the field. This essentially eliminated our flights to the east to accommodate him (and added 20-minutes flight time to our terrain flight training area to the east). He couldn't let it go and hit the next level by shooting shooting fireworks at aircraft on the PAR into the field. I understand that we're loud, but I feel confident we did everything we could to appease this individual. This thread makes me wonder what will happen to him now. Heard that he was picked up on federal charges this week.

UH-60andC-180 wrote:We've had a challenge this winter with a new resident in North Pole complaining about helicopter noise. He lives under one of three mandatory reporting points and under the PAR approach path. We've moved the reporting point, raised the altitude, and restricted use of this point, which is the only one on the east side of the field. This essentially eliminated our flights to the east to accommodate him (and added 20-minutes flight time to our terrain flight training area to the east). He couldn't let it go and hit the next level by shooting shooting fireworks at aircraft on the PAR into the field. I understand that we're loud, but I feel confident we did everything we could to appease this individual. This thread makes me wonder what will happen to him now. Heard that he was picked up on federal charges this week.

My favorite part of this story is the phrase "new resident."

If you don't like the sound of aircraft, why move next to an airfield that's been established and nearly continuously operational for over 70 years?

CamTom12 wrote:My favorite part of this story is the phrase "new resident."

If you don't like the sound of aircraft, why move next to an airfield that's been established and nearly continuously operational for over 70 years?

This has happened thousands of times in every state in the union. Unfortunately the "resident", often backed by a real-estate developer looking at the airport property, is winning more often than not.

As pilots (and all outdoor motor driven activities) we all need to be more noise conscious. I see guys all the time, flying off a 5000' runway, with their awesome Backcountry Compensation Monster with 700 hp, 120" prop turning 3000 rpm (yes exaggerated!) screaming so loud you can hear the echoes 5 miles away, just because they can.

Very similar the the jack-wagons with drag pipes on their Harleys. Nothing but "Look at me" noise.

Av8r3400 wrote:Very similar the the jack-wagons with drag pipes on their Harleys. Nothing but "Look at me" noise.

But they've assured us that loud pipes save lives!

I'm a jackwagon with straight exhaust on my harley. You can ride a harley just as quietly with drag pipes as one with mufflers, just depends on the operator and how the throttle is used. Been doing that for 49 years. My champ has straight exhaust too. I've always tried to be respectful of others ears.

I'm with Kevin. I've got straight pipes on my Valkyrie and I ride it as respectfully as I can. But I like the sound it makes so it's not getting baffles.

I love this picture though:



Kind of illustrates the difference between a motorcycle rider and a jackwagon that rides a bike!

/derail

I've got straight pipes on my chopper and there ain't nothing like riding through a parking lot setting off car alarms - not that I've ever done that - just heard about it.

What about when that car that doesn't see you and starts to drift over into your lane... Horns don't work, no one pays attention. Ear deafening sound gets there attention. All in the name of safety. After all, everyone in a car is out for you right?