PL 240.76 Directing a laser at an aircraft in the second degree Class A misdemeanor
§ 240.76 Directing a laser at an aircraft in the second degree.
  A person is guilty of directing a laser at an aircraft in  the  second
degree  when,  with intent to disrupt safe air travel, he or she directs
the beam of a laser:
  1.  onto a specific aircraft intending to thereby disrupt or interfere
with such aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction  of  the  United
States; or
  2.  in  the  immediate vicinity of an aircraft in the special aircraft
jurisdiction of the United States, and:
  (a) the calculated or measured beam irradiance on the aircraft, or  in
the  immediate  vicinity  of the aircraft, exceeds limits set by the FAA
for the FAA-specified laser flight zone (normal, sensitive, critical, or
laser-free) where the aircraft was located; and (b) a pilot in the illu-
minated aircraft files a laser incident report with the FAA.
  3. As used in this section:
  (a) the term "laser" shall mean any device designed or used to amplify
electromagnetic radiation by stimulated emission that emits a beam; and
  (b) the term "FAA" shall mean the Federal Aviation Administration.
  4. This section does  not  prohibit  directing  a  laser  beam  at  an
aircraft, or in the immediate vicinity of an aircraft, by:
  (a)  an  authorized individual in the conduct of research and develop-
ment or flight test operations conducted by  an  aircraft  manufacturer,
the  FAA,  or  any  other  person  authorized by the FAA to conduct such
research and development or flight test operations; or
  (b) members or elements of the United States department of defense  or
the  United States department of homeland security acting in an official
capacity for the purpose of research, development,  operations,  testing
or training; or
  (c)  an  individual in an emergency situation using a laser to attract
the attention of an aircraft for bona fide rescue purposes; or
  (d) an individual whose laser operations have been  submitted  to  and
reviewed by the FAA, when:
  (i) the FAA has issued a letter not objecting to the laser use; and
  (ii) the laser is operated in conformity with the FAA submission.
  Directing a laser at an aircraft is a class A misdemeanor.

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