B777-200
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Total 20000
Other Laser
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
Three laser incidences on SBGR CGO1 departure; sky conditions clear; stars visible First Officer was pilot flying; Captain was pilot not flying 1st incident - in right turn approximately 2;000 FT AGL; multiple green flashes from left side illuminated cockpit. 2nd incident - in right turn approximately 3;000 FT AGL; two green flashes from right side illuminated cockpit. 3rd incident - [we were] on a northerly heading climbing through 8;000 FT approaching GCO; one bright laser flash straight ahead originating from vicinity of downtown Sao Paulo. First Officer and Relief Pilot have extensive experience flying to SBGR with multiple past laser incidences at this airport. Captain had heard from others of laser incidences at SBGR. Decision was made to extinguish all aircraft lights except beacon and navigation lights after gear retraction to reduce ability of offenders to define aircraft profile from ground. Sun shades were drawn and seats lowered. By briefing the procedure before takeoff crew was aware of possibility of laser and thereby resisted instinct to look toward the source of laser on the ground. Everyone consciously stayed heads-down during departure. Due probably in large part to briefing the issue prior to take off none of the crew experienced direct eye contact from laser light. We were surprised at the number of lasers from multiple independent ground locations on this departure. Consideration might be given to investigating replacing roll-up sun shades with a shade specifically designed to absorb green laser light.
Air carrier Captain reported multiple laser strikes in the vicinity of SBGR airport; and commented on how common this has become at that airport.