Analysis of impact of atmospheric attenuation and measurement uncertainties on laser hazard distances in navigable airspace for visible cw laser radiation

Abstract

This document provides a simplified solution to the problem of calculation of laser hazard distances defined in the Advisory Circular 70-1B by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration regarding atmospheric attenuation (assuming its constant value) and measurement uncertainties. The calculation approaches and examples presented in this document do not specify the procedure that should be followed in the case of atmospheric attenuation, nor do they take into account the uncertainties associated with the measured parameters. The analysis presented in the article complements to some extent AC 70-1B and can be used by those who need such a simplified solution regarding illumination of landing or taking off aircrafts. The article presents a sample analysis for a typical laser pointer, where the necessary parameters of the laser beam along with the appropriate uncertainties were determined in accordance with the methods accredited by the Polish Centre for Accreditation while the appropriate laser hazard distances were calculated taking into account different atmospheric attenuation coefficients.

Keywords

• aviation safety
• laser hazard distances in navigable airspace
• laser safety
• laser hazard distance
• laser illumination