Pilots' union calls for laser pointers to be classed as offensive weapons

British Airline Pilots Association says need to deal with handheld lasers being pointed at planes becoming ‘more and more urgent’ The body that represents airline pilots in the UK has called for handheld laser pointers to be classed as offensive weapons, after a Virgin Atlantic flight to the US was forced to return to Heathrow when its co-pilot was dazzled by a laser during takeoff.The British Airline Pilots Association (Balpa) said aircraft were being “attacked” by the d