Small Aircraft
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 60; Flight Crew Total 3000; Flight Crew Type 1500
Inflight Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Diverted
During a local training flight covering night operations; two lasers just to the south and east of a local private high school were aimed at our aircraft. This occurred during night hours moments after reaching cruise flight from our local airport. The lasers originated from two different locations approximately one tenth of a mile apart. It appeared these lasers were not connected. This event was reported to tower who initiated all necessary protocols. During our night training flight after the first two lasers and additional seven events were recorded from various houses in the area. None appeared to be connected. In total more than 20 laser attempts were witnessed by the instructor and student pilot during the flight. Only mine were viewed through side vision or by striking the aircraft. Of the nine lasers; one was red and eight were green. During the flight it allowed a good opportunity to discuss night illusions and the hazardous effects of lasers. The flight was cut short due to the nature of so many people trying to shine lasers at us. Upon landing an additional report was made to tower stating we found 20 individual laser events through the flight spread over three neighborhoods. Of the 20 recorded events we stated nine of the events made contact with the plane or entered into our field of vision. No one was injured during the flight. Even if we were to have stayed in the air and helped law enforcement; the shear amount of laser activity would have been impossible to stop. The problem with lasers being aimed at aircraft is real and I will try to work on finding a solution.
Pilot reported 20 instances of laser activity during a single flight. Nine of the occurrences illuminated the aircraft. Pilot reported the laser activity to ATC; terminated the flight due to the amount of the laser activity and reported the events to the local ATC tower.