Cessna Aircraft Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50; Flight Crew Total 3500; Flight Crew Type 2000
Distraction; Physiological - Other
Inflight Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
The pilot and crew approached the Solar Generating Station located south of Las Vegas; NV. Pilot noted the NOTAMs issued about the facility. The light generated from the station was blinding to both pilot and crew. The bright light was almost blinding from a distance of 20 plus miles. This facility generates three bright lights on a 360 degree arc around the facilities. The light from the facility was very similar to that seen when looking at a welder. One crew member complained they only looked at it briefly and felt it hurt their eyes in a manner similar to that caused by snow blindness. All crew-members were wearing sunglasses which did not appear to reduce the glare.The pilot and crew-members agree with language in the NOTAMs that this facility poses hazards to aviation and passengers. On the previous day the same pilot and crew flew a similar mission near the Solar Generating Station near Coalinga; CA. The generating station there is smaller and the reflectors are one directional which reflect the bright light toward the north. It does not appear to be as hazardous because of the mono directional characteristic and it is not on any obvious approach paths to major airports.
The effect on human vision was reported to be painful and disabling.
A small aircraft flight crew flew at 9;500 FT near the Solar Generating Station and experienced a light similar to a welder's arc; which reflected from the tower itself was blinding 360 degrees for twenty miles.