teen gets home detention for laser attack on aircraft

Pravikash Chandra, who used a laser to target three commercial aircraft and a police helicopter, risked the lives of more than 600 people. The 19-year-
The old man was sentenced to 4 and-a-
He was detained for half a month in court today in the Manukau District Court.
He earlier admitted that under the Civil Aviation Act, four charges against aircraft were imposed a maximum of 12 months in prison for each charge.
In his South Auckland home, Chandra said he thought the police would slap him in the face when he appeared at his home on the evening of January 26.
Instead, he was detained overnight.
\"I didn\'t try to act like a smart ass, I just didn\'t know,\" said the former airport baggage handler . \".
He said he felt he had become an example, but hoped others would learn from his mistakes.
\"Be careful.
I can go out and use the laser now, but it\'s illegal once the plane shows up.
He said the laser has become popular and his laser was bought at a local store.
Judge Charles Black told the court that he was surprised that there was no limit on the sale of a laser about the size of a ballpoint pen.
The court heard how Chandra used lasers to target three commercial aircraft when they entered Auckland Airport.
Justice Blake said the pilots had only dim lights in the cockpit, so they could still see any danger outside.
\"When you aim at the plane, the flashing of the green light creates bright lighting in the cockpit and affects their visual abilities.
He said that Chandra not only endangers people inside the plane, but also the people of south Auckland who live and work on the flight route of the plane.
Judge Blake said a pilot described Chandra\'s laser as \"actual danger\" for the aircraft and passengers on board \".
When the police Eagle helicopter went to investigate, it was also hit by a laser.
\"In general, the lives of more than 600 people are threatened by your use of lasers, which are of no use to you at all,\" Judge Blake said . \".
Earlier, Mr. Chandra\'s lawyer, Herman rezraf, said his client had apologized to the pilot.
He himself admitted that it was reckless and foolish.
Mr Retzlaff also asked to consider the youth of Chandra and his previous good record.
At the time of the sentence, Justice Black said he believed that imprisonment should be imposed to send a \"message\", but that was reduced by the age of Chandra and his early plea.
\"If others believe that it is appropriate to use the equipment with the aim of the aircraft, they will face the full duration of the sentence of imprisonment.
Judge Blake ordered the laser to be destroyed and sentenced to Chandra\'s detention at home, who completed any classes his probation officer deemed appropriate.
Glenn Kenny, president of the Air New Zealand Pilots Association, said the sentence conveyed a clear message.
\"Laser strikes are not just attacks on pilots;
They are attacks on the tourist public and can only be described as reckless and dangerous at best.
He said that in the best case, laser strikes will distract, and in the worst case, they will cause temporary blindness or even permanent eye damage, which is very dangerous if the plane is ready to land
\"Laser strikes have been a trend in the past few years and it is time for the government to address this and introduce regulations on the sale of these devices and public education campaigns.
A spokesman for Deputy Health Minister Jo Goodhew said officials had prepared \"options\" for public consultation later this year \".
When asked if one of the options involved banning or restricting lasers, she said she was unable to comment on the details.
Air New Zealand calls for Air New Zealand
Extensive ban on hand
Laser was held after sentencing.
David Morgan, airline operations manager, said the current legal penalties did not prevent people from reaching out.
Laser on the plane
He said class 3 was banned.
Light laser equipment will bring New Zealand into compliance with Australian legislation.
\"If no action is taken to ban these devices, then it is possible for a rash and reckless person to cause an air accident.
\"Laser targeting has the potential to distract pilots, limit their night vision capabilities, and potentially cause eye damage,\" Morgan said.
Laser strikes occur at critical stages of shooting
This makes the practice more dangerous, he said.
Laser case * Joshua O\'Hare-
Both Knight and James Spears face charges of unnecessarily endangering the aircraft.
They allegedly targeted police helicopters with lasers at a youth party last year. * On March 2011, a 17-year-
The old man was accused of reckless disregard for the safety of the police helicopter as he pointed a green laser to the Eagle helicopter ** a 19-year-
On December 2010, old was accused of endangering traffic safety after targeting police helicopters with a laser pointer.
As a result of the defendant\'s \"good character\" and personal circumstances, the charges were dropped * Vladimir Maricic targeted the laser he purchased over the Internet on 2008 at the cockpit of the aircraft near Wellington Airport.
Maricic says he is trying to see how far the laser can reach.
He was sentenced to 200 hours of community service.