FAA says pilots reported over 9,000 “laser strikes” in 2022

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has warned people against pointing lasers at aircraft after 9,500 such incidents were reported by pilots in 2022. “High-powered laser pointers can incapacitate pilots flying airplanes with hundreds of passengers,” the FAA said, appealing to manufacturers to put a warning on packaging against misuse. Although lasers can “seem like just a toy,” according to acting FAA administrator Billy Nolen, “people need to be aware pointing a laser at an airplane is a federal crime.” Almost 300 pilots have reported injury from such incidents since 2010, the FAA said, warning that it has the power