Do you know how fireworks and lasers affect air traffic safety?
As the new year approaches, discussion and debate about fireworks is once again in the news. In addition, recent years have seen various kinds of laser presentations and illuminated drone shows emerge as alternatives to fireworks. All these airborne visual experiences affect the safety of air traffic. But what kind of safety risks do fireworks and lasers pose?
Consumers are permitted to let off consumer fireworks without notification on New Year's Eve between the hours of 18.00 and 02.00. Releasing fireworks without notification is also permitted if a rescue authority has allowed the use of fireworks without notification in its area during a certain period of time. Such exceptions are made, for example, on the last weekend of August, when Venetian Night Festivals and celebrations for the end of the holiday home season take place especially in coastal areas. If there is an audience at an event, however, then it is no longer a private event and a notification must be made beforehand to the police.
Professional firework displays are subject to a licence, as professionals have access to more powerful fireworks and lasers which present higher safety risks. The main risk to air traffic is that fireworks and lasers may momentarily dazzle or blind the pilot, which can impede their flight performance.
“Unlike professional fireworks, consumer fireworks do not usually reach aviation altitude unless they are released in the vicinity of an airport, but medical or rescue helicopters, for example, often fly at lower altitudes. Just as fireworks must not be aimed at a car or person, they also must not be aimed at airborne vessels,” explains Specialist Jorma Tonteri of Fintraffic Air Navigation Services.
Nowadays, the media do well at informing people about fireworks demonstrations and about areas where fireworks are prohibited. You own local news channels will certainly be able to provide information to those seeking to use fireworks responsibly. To make sure they act safe over the new year, consumers should also refresh their memory of Tukes’s instructions on safe firework use.
Even low-powered lasers can be dangerous for air traffic
Waving lasers around in the air is no game, but rather a serious act which can cause permanent eye injuries to pilots and may lead to criminal charges. The infinite lasers used by professionals in outdoor events can reach altitudes of 10 km, but even low-powered lasers used by consumers can endanger air traffic by dazzling pilots.
“It is most regrettable how often pilots report laser interference directed at their aircraft. In line with our operating instructions, we pass on the details of these reports from our Air Navigation Services to the Emergency Response Centre, and we remind pilots that they can report harassment to the police if they so wish. The Finnish Aviation Act prohibits all activities that endanger air traffic. It is also worth remembering that air traffic is not only found in the vicinity of airports, so the airspace should always be actively monitored when carrying out activities that may have an impact on aviation safety,” points out Deputy Director Stina Andersson of Fintraffic Air Navigation Services.
For professionally organised laser presentations, measures must be carried out in advance by both the Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority and Fintraffic's Air Navigation Services. To ensure aviation safety, an evaluation is made of each laser display that is directed into the atmosphere. Other measures may include a NOTAM notification to airspace users about the laser display or separate operational instructions issued to the air navigation services operating in the area where the display will take place. Other actors, including medical helicopter operators and the Finnish Border Guard, are also informed of the proposals, and procedures are established through which the laser display can be interrupted if rescue tasks need to be carried out in the area.
“It is important that information on professional laser displays is delivered to air navigation services in sufficient time – preferably ten weeks in advance, but no later than one month before the planned event. This leaves enough time to assess the safety measures required for the event. The organiser of an event is obliged to notify us directly of any laser display, whereas information on fireworks being released in the vicinity of airports comes to us via the authorities processing the notifications,” Andersson adds.
We wish you all a safe new year!
Instructions for safe use of fireworks (Tukes): https://tukes.fi/koti-ja-vapaa-aika/ilotulitteet
Traficom's airspace application: https://eservices.traficom.fi/Ilmatilasovellus/
