Laser Free Zone

Owned by Diego Cesa de Meira (Unlicensed)
Sept 05, 2019
3 min read

Description

Laser Free Zone (LFZ) is an area where aircraft should not be exposed to light above 100µW/cm2.
The potentially hazardous visual effects of lasers are generally only visible during night time. The lasers produce an intense, coherent directional beam of light with wave lengths covering the visual spectrum of 400-700nm.
The main visual effects are:

  • Distraction and Startle

  • Glare and Disruption

  • Temporary Flash blindness

LFZ comprises of airspace in the immediate proximity of the airport, up to and including 2,000 feet AGL, extending 2 nautical miles in all directions measured from the runway centerline. Additionally, the LFZ includes a 3nm extension, 2,500 feet each side of the extended runway centerline, up to 2,000 feet AGL of each useable runway surface. The level of laser light is restricted to a level that should not cause any visual disruption.Credit: Image courtesy of Federal Aviation Administration

Originator

  1. Transport Canada

Use Cases

  1. As an Aviation Enforcement Officer, I want to be able to know the extent of LFZ so that regulation can be strictly enforced to ensure aircraft and passenger safety.

Source(s)

Description

Source

Format

Date

Update Frequency

Metadata

Cost

Link

Remarks

Description

Source

Format

Date

Update Frequency

Metadata

Cost

Link

Remarks

Laser Free Zone (LFZ)

Transport Canada

CSV

2018

On-going

N/A

Free

EGIS Data Folder:
LaserFreeZone_Airport.gdb.zip
LaserFreeZone_Boundary.gdb.zip
LaserFreeZone_Runway.gdb.zip

-Use preprocessed GDB file as provided.

Remarks

  1. LFZ is created using FME based on FAA Laser Free Zone standards.

  2. EGIS Data Folder: \\ncras382\Application Source Files\EGIS\Smartmap Files\

Process for EGIS integration

Creating LFZ Model:

  1. In FME, generate airport runway centreline from National Aerodrome Safety Database (NASD) using runway threshold coordinates.

  2. Create buffers using parameters as shown in the diagram.


    Credit: Image courtesy of Federal Aviation Administration
    -Extend runway centreline by 5 NM both ends and create 2500' buffer with straight edge.
    -Create 2 NM buffer along runway centreline with rounded edge.

  3. Dissolve polygons for each airport to form a seamless polygon.

  4. Assign elevation of 2,000' AGL and extrude the 3D model.

  5. Output to KML, SHP or GDB as required

  6. Import into EGIS

TC Smart Maps:

  1. Not all GIS applications can consume KML file directly due to its unique data structures such as networklinks, folders, models etc.

  2. Please contact Lawrence Chong, Digital Services Directorate for TC Smart Maps KML dataset and format translation.

  3. TC Smart Maps KML link: \tc.gc.ca\tcgis\GISData\Google Mashup\Aerodrome\LaserFreeZone\ LaserFreeZone.kmz

Customization:

  1. Schema transformation: As required

  2. Denormalization: Not required

  3. Value coding: Not required

  4. Attribute renaming: As required to improve readability

  5. Attribute removal: It is highly recommended as some fields are unnecessary, this will also reduce file size and improve performance

  6. Geoenrichment: Feature symbolization is recommended to improve visualization. Extrude the 3D model where applicable.

  7. Format translation: Not required

  8. Language translation: French version available

  9. Update frequency: As identified