Officer David White with the California Highway Patrol says a CHP pilot was targeted last week over Fair Oaks.
"The cockpit illuminated by a laser. Instinctively, he looked and the laser hit him in the eyes. So, he had temporary blind ness real quick, but he used the camera system that's on the airplane which has low-light lenses -night vision- and they were able to find the suspect shining the lense."
The FBI's program will combine a billboard and public service campaign with rewards of up to $10,000 dollars for information that leads to the arrest of someone shining a laser at a plane or helicopter.
"I would best describe it as if you were in a completely darkened environment and your eyes were very much acclimated to the night and someone set off a flash camera right in your face. But, unfortunately, this sometimes can last for a much longer duration so it would almost be a continual flash like that for in my experience up to 45 seconds."
Targeting an aircraft with a laser is punishable by five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
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