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Laser Light Shows and Displays: Requirements for Aircraft Safety and Visual Control

This guidance provides specific interpretation of requirements for laser light shows and displays, particularly focusing on outdoor laser projections and their safe operation in relation to aircraft safety. It emphasizes the importance of effective visual control of laser beam paths and defines specific limits for laser emissions in navigable airspace.

  1. Implement a comprehensive operator training program
  2. Establish documented procedures for beam measurement and characterization
  3. Develop and maintain detailed recordkeeping systems for all measurements and tests
  4. Install appropriate safety systems for immediate laser emission termination
  5. Ensure all outdoor projections comply with SZEL limits beyond three-mile range
  6. Create verification procedures for beam divergence and power calculations
  7. Establish clear communication protocols with air traffic control
  8. Implement quality control measures for all critical safety parameters
  9. Develop a compliance monitoring system for all variance conditions
  10. Maintain up-to-date documentation of all safety measures and procedures

Key Considerations

Non-clinical testing

  • Measurements of beam characteristics must clearly identify whether beam diameter and divergence are using 1/e or 1/e² values
  • 1/e-divergence value shall be used to determine irradiance limit compliance
  • Well-documented and defensible test procedures must be implemented
  • Accurate and timely measurements and recordkeeping are required

Human Factors

  • Operators must be trained and competent
  • Operators must be employees of the variance holder
  • Operators must be located where all beam paths can be directly observed
  • Visual control effectiveness is limited to three miles horizontal range for aircraft observers

Safety

  • Maximum irradiance limit of 100 µW/cm² (SZEL) for projections beyond visual control range
  • Maximum radiant exposure of 25 µJ/cm² in one quarter second or less
  • Immediate termination of laser emission required in unsafe conditions
  • For open air shows, termination required at air traffic control officials’ request

Other considerations

  • FAA Order 7400.2D: Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters

Original guidance

  • Laser Light Shows and Displays: Requirements for Aircraft Safety and Visual Control
  • HTML / PDF
  • Issue date: 1996-06-06
  • Last changed date: 2020-03-18
  • Status: FINAL
  • Official FDA topics: Medical Devices, Radiation-Emitting Products, Radiological Health
  • ReguVirta summary file ID: 7b7e467a27bf6babe961a4f14166251d
This post is licensed under CC BY 4.0 by the author.