Shining your toy laser in the sky is no silly game, according to the FBI. In fact, it can result in felony charges.

A 28-year-old man pleaded guilty in court to charges of interfering with the operation of an aircraft after a rash of incidents in which pilots have been blinded by lasers. The offense, a federal crime, carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, indicating the seriousness of the infraction. Because the man does have a clean record, he hopes to only serve 18 months in prison.

The state where the incident occurred currently has no state laws prohibiting this action, but FBI officials indicated that they are committed to stopping this dangerous practice.

U.S. pilots have been experiencing an increase in laser-pointer strikes, primarily from residential units. Reports of laser strikes throughout the nation confirm this phenomenon, having nearly doubled since 2009 to about 3,600 during the 2011 calendar year.

Although the general public may not realize the hazards of laser strikes, pilots say they are angry that people continue to point lasers toward their aircrafts. Lasers are extremely dangerous for pilots because they compromise their vision, temporarily blinding them while also illuminating the cockpit. This could lead to a variety of problems, some of which could even result in the aircraft crashing. This is particularly relevant for helicopter pilots, who tend to fly at lower altitudes and serve as easier targets for laser strikes.

Not only are police and news helicopters affected, but medical helicopter pilots also report a shocking number of laser strikes. A 2011 incident in north Texas temporarily blinded a helicopter pilot who was flying to the scene of a pediatric emergency.

Although no crashes have been reported as a direct result of a laser pointer, officials say it is an unnecessary nuisance that endangers residents and pilots throughout the nation.

Source: The Virginian-Pilot, "Va. Beach man pleads guilty to shining laser at copter," Tim McGlone, Jan. 26, 2012