VANCOUVER, BC – A Langley man has learned the hard way that there are consequences for pointing a laser beam at aircraft.

Alexander William Schiller has pled guilty “to unlawfully engaging in a behavior that endangered the safety or security of an aircraft in flight by intentionally lessening the ability of a crew member to perform that crew member’s duties by projecting a bright light source, contrary to section 7.41 (1)(b) of the Aeronautics Act.” The plea is in relation to an April, 2011 incident where Schiller pointed a hand held laser at an RCMP Air 2 while it was on duty.

“People need to understand that there very real dangers to people in the aircraft, and people on the ground, when a light source is directed at pilots and flight crew,” says Cpl. Curtis Brassington, RCMP Tactical Flight Officer. “While we are in the air it is necessary to carefully monitor instruments and make quick and accurate adjustments. If we are blinded by a laser everyone’s safety is compromised.”

Schiller is scheduled to be sentenced on January 25, 2013.