15 May 2013
New Government Handheld Laser Controls - NZALPA
The New Zealand Air Line Pilots’ Association (NZALPA) supports the Government’s announcement today to subject handheld
lasers to new import, sale and supply controls under Health and Customs legislation.
“Access to these lasers has been a concern for the Association and our members for quite some time and we have been very
vocal around the dangers to aircraft and the travelling public” said President Glen Kenny. Temporary flash blindness is
a significant safety risk to our members and they are very supportive of action that improves the health and safety of
their workplaces.
NZALPA is pleased the legislation is being drafted and support the introduction of the new controls in the most prompt
and robust manner. “It is a common sense approach to restrict laser availability to authorised users who have a
legitimate purpose for using them” Mr Kenny says.
The focus now turns to the issue of the lasers that have been purchased during a significant period on deregulation. Mr
Kenny says “we are looking forward to the upcoming debate of Dr Cam Calder’s members’ bill that will address possession
of handheld lasers.” NZALPA urges the Government to introduce possession legislation urgently.
About NZALPA
Established in 1945, NZALPA is an internationally affiliated professional trade union for New Zealand pilots and air
traffic controllers. Our diverse membership includes General Aviation and commercial pilots, flight instructors and
approximately 400 of New Zealand’s air traffic controllers in the employ of Airways NZ.
NZALPA was one of the 13 founding states of IFALPA - the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations, an
organisation founded to represent the interests of over 100,000 pilots worldwide. IFALPA membership is dispersed through
101 Member Associations who work together as the ‘global voice of pilots’.
In 1965, air traffic controllers joined the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' Associations (IFATCA),
which represents 50,000 air traffic controllers worldwide. NZALPA is one of 130 Member Associations affiliated to
IFATCA, and has remained an active member in all aspects since joining.
ENDS