LASER FAQ and Contact Information
1. Why should I notify the FAA about a planned outdoor laser operation?
Lasers beams directed into airspace where an aircraft may operate have the potential to cause temporary adverse visual effects and/or physiologic eye to pilots. The temporary adverse visual effects may include distraction, startle, glare, flashblindness, and/or afterimage. These effects have the greatest potential to cause an aircraft accident when an aircraft is flying at low altitudes and when pilots are performing critical tasks during landing and take-off.
Lasers may also cause temporary or permanent physiological eye damage to pilots, aircrew, and passengers. The eye is extremely susceptible to damage because the lens in the eye focuses the laser energy on a small portion of retina.
Laser Light Shows/Demonstrations
An outdoor laser light show/demonstration is considered to be a laser product by the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) and, if the irradiance is greater than 5 miliwatts per square centimeter, the demonstration requires a variance to Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 1040.11c. The variance (issued by the CDRH) requires the laser user to notify the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the proposed laser operation and resolve any objections that the FAA may have.
Scientific/Research Lasers
Although there no regulations that specifically require operators of scientific/research lasers to notify the FAA, federal regulations prohibit the interference with aircrew members performing their duties. The FAA highly encourages anyone who plans to use a laser outdoors for scientific/research purposes to notify the FAA about their planned laser operation. This includes any laser that is in a building but may exit the building through an opening.
2. What will the FAA do when I notify them about a planned outdoor laser operation?
The FAA will evaluate your proposed outdoor laser operation in accordance with procedures detailed in FAA Order 7400.2, Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters, and will issue a letter of objection or no objection.
3. How do I notify the FAA about a planned laser operation?
To notify the FAA, use FAA Form 7140-1, Notice of Proposed Outdoor Laser Operation(s) (PDF). This is a 2-page form. The first page asks for general information. The second page is a Laser Configuration Worksheet that should be completed for each individual laser.
Further information may be found in FAA Advisory Circular AC 70-1, Outdoor Laser Operations (PDF).
4. When should I send the notice to the FAA?
Laser Light Shows/Demonstrations
Because the FAA laser evaluation normally takes about 30 days complete, we recommend that you send the notice to us at least 30 before your laser light show/demonstration is to take place.
Scientific/Research Lasers
The FAA evaluation of an outdoor scientific/research laser operation is more complex than for a laser light show/demonstration and may require a comprehensive safety risk assessment. Because this evaluation may take 6 months or longer to complete, we recommend that you send the notice to us at least 6 months before you plan to conduct an outdoor scientific/research laser operation.
5. Where should I send the notice?
Western Service Center
The FAA’s Western Service Center services the states of AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA and WY, (also Guam)
The laser contacts for the Western Service Center are:
Laser Light Shows/Demonstrations
Rick Roberts (lead) 425-917-6728
Larry Tonish (alternate) 310-725-6539
Scientific/Research Lasers
Larry Tonish (lead) 310-725-6539
Rick Roberts (alternate ) 425-917-6728
Send the Notice of Proposed Outdoor Laser Operation(s) to:
Federal Aviation Administration
Western Service Center
System Support Group, AJO-2W2
1601 Lind Ave SW
Renton, WA 98057-3356
Central Service Center
The FAA’s Central Service Center services the states of AR, IA, IL, IN, KS, LA, TX, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, NM, OH, OK, SD, and WI.
The laser contacts for the Central Service Center are:
Roger Trevino (lead) 817-222-5595
Angel Cases (alternate) 817-222-5508
Send the Notice of Proposed Outdoor Laser Operation(s) to:
Federal Aviation Administration
Central Service Center
System Support Group, AJO-2C2
2601 Meacham Blvd
Fort Worth, TX 76137
Eastern Service Center
The FAA’s Eastern Service Center services the states of AL, CT, DE, FL, GA, KY, MA, MD, ME, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, and WV (also Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands.)
The laser contacts for the Eastern Service Center are:
CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA, VT, and WV
Rich Horrocks (lead) 404-305-5619
Patricia Graham (alternate) 404-305-5594
AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN, (also Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands .)
Pete Acevedo (lead) 404-305-5598
Patricia Graham (alternate) 404-305-5594
Send the Notice of Proposed Outdoor Laser Operation(s) to:
Federal Aviation Administration
Eastern Service Center
System Support Group, AJO-2E2
P. O. Box 20636
Atlanta, GA 30320-0631
For airborne lasers that cross service area boundaries, send the notice to FAA Headquarters:
Federal Aviation Administration
ATO System Operations, Airspace and Rules, AJR-33
Room 423 – 10A
800 Independence Avenue SW
Washington , DC 20591
FAA focal point for the evaluation outdoor laser operations:
Steve Rohring 202-267-8783