The dangerous increase in the number of laser strikes on aircraft is a big concern for aviation safety officials and pilots’ associations alike. Transport Canada Photo

From Skies Magazine, by Lisa Gordon

For pilots, maintaining their natural night vision is a critical component for safe flight, especially during the vulnerable stages of takeoff and landing.

That’s why the dangerous increase in the number of laser strikes on aircraft is a big concern for aviation safety officials and pilots’ associations alike.

…

Meanwhile, as regulators attempt to educate the public and the law metes out stiff punishments to those staging the attacks, some companies are working to combat laser attacks from within the cockpit.

One of those organizations is Ottawa’s Iridian Spectral Technologies. Founded in 1998, the company originally made multi-layered glass filters for the telecom industry. Over the years, Iridian has branched out into other industries, producing medical optical filters and then 3D movie glasses for Dolby Laboratories.