Rangefinding with green laser?

Here in italy there is one guy that is sure he has found the quote of
an airplane by shining on it with a 5mW green laser.
He says:
We pointed a chemical tanker with a laser pen. It is the proof that
aerosol operations were made at low altitude, circa 3 miles.

That's because he says his laser has a maximum range of 4000 meter,
and he says he collimated the plane with the laser.
I'm not an expert in optics, but to me seems pretty hard measuring
quote with this tecnique. What do you think?
You can see here the video.

http://sciechimiche-zret.blogspot.com/2007/07/la-prova-proof-by-straker.html
.

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