Buzzing Fatality

On Mon, 09 Aug 2004 07:20:16 -0000, Dylan Smith
wrote:

In article , gatt wrote:
I've determined that, as a rule, flying low to the ground is inherently
dangerous even if you're straight and level. Are bird strikes common and,
if so, what would a bird with a 6' wingspan do to a Cessna 152 or a Grumman
Tiger?

Bird strikes are fairly uncommon in GA planes because at the altitudes

Man, I've hit three and all were in the pattern. None did any damage
except to the birds although one completely plugged the air flow
between the cylinders on the pilots side.

you find the most birds, GA planes typically have slowed down quite a
bit. A bird can usually avoid anything going less than 90 knots - don't
forget they get lots of flying practise as they may fly most of the day.

We had a Cherokee 180 landing when a starling went through the prop,
around the side and *through* the window (not the windshield) on the
pilot's side. Took out most of the window.


I have spent quite a bit of time gaggle soaring my glider with seagulls.
I try to thermal in the same direction as the birds (and the Ka-8 goes
about the same speed) but occasionally a lone bird will join the thermal
the wrong way. I've had a few of these opposite direction birds get
close, but they are always pretty good at dodging.

They may be predictable in thermals, but near the ground Seagulls are
a brainless as ducks. I'd say a many as half a dozen get hit every
year here at our little airport. At least their buddies clean up the
runway in short order.


Interestingly, they've just re-introduced the Great Bustard to its
former habitat in Wiltshire (it was hunted to extinction in the 18th
century). This bird is the heaviest flying bird in the world - weighing
up to 50lbs with a 7ft wingspan. I'd love to soar my glider with one,
but I'd hate to hit one!

Every once in a while we read of collisions with turkey buzzards here
in the states. (I don't know the difference between a Turkey buzzard
and Great Bustard) I don't know about Ron's experience, but most are
described as decidedly unpleasant. It's bad enough hit and kill one,
but you better hope that sucker is *dead* as they have a very
obnoxious and unpleasant way of "fighting back", or getting even.

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com