Bird strike
On the most important parts of a flight pilots can face another threat - something that's called a bird strike. Today we'll dig into this term
Bird strike
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Definition
Colliding with birds may seem unlikely, but it actually happens quite frequently. The effect of such a collision can range from no impact at all to complete engine failure and emergency landings.
These collisions most commonly occur on the ground during takeoff, during initial climb, and during landing. This is because most birds fly at low altitudes, and the higher the plane ascends, the less likely it is to encounter an unwelcome passenger.
Additionally, the effect of such a collision depends heavily on the size and speed of the plane, as well as the size of the bird. While a small light aircraft (and relatively slow) plane may only sustain a minor dent in a collision with a duck, a Boeing 737-800 flying at 200 knots may sustain significant damage to its wing, engine, or cockpit in a collision with a crane.
These collisions most commonly occur on the ground during takeoff, during initial climb, and during landing. This is because most birds fly at low altitudes, and the higher the plane ascends, the less likely it is to encounter an unwelcome passenger.
Additionally, the effect of such a collision depends heavily on the size and speed of the plane, as well as the size of the bird. While a small light aircraft (and relatively slow) plane may only sustain a minor dent in a collision with a duck, a Boeing 737-800 flying at 200 knots may sustain significant damage to its wing, engine, or cockpit in a collision with a crane.
Ornithological services at each airport develop their own procedures to ensure the safety of the surrounding area from nearby bird populations.
Possible defences
The primary defence against hazardous bird strikes stems from the requirements for continued safe flight after strikes which are included in the general airworthiness requirements of the Aircraft Type and Aircraft Engine Type Certification processes. However, these requirements are not a complete protection and are also mainly focussed on large fixed wing transport aircraft. The relevant design requirements for smaller fixed wing aircraft and helicopters are very limited. The article on Aircraft Certification for Bird Strike Risk provides more detail on this subject.
The opportunities to mitigate the risk of hazardous bird strikes in the first place are centred on airports, because this is where the greatest overall volume of conflict occurs, and because this is where management and control of the hazard is most easily achieved. However, there are two problems with this approach:
The opportunities to mitigate the risk of hazardous bird strikes in the first place are centred on airports, because this is where the greatest overall volume of conflict occurs, and because this is where management and control of the hazard is most easily achieved. However, there are two problems with this approach:
- The airport-centred bird strike risk is rarely confined to the perimeter of any particular airport
- Many of the most hazardous strike encounters - those with large flocking birds - take place so far from the airport that the airport operating authority will often have little real influence over the circumstances.
Establishing and monitoring levels of bird activity is important and a critical part of this process is the recording of bird strikes at the local level. This then provides the opportunity to build up larger databases and to share the information.
Like any flight safety issue, bird strikes are addressed through a comprehensive approach, which we will discuss below."
Habitat management
including reduction or elimination of trees, shrubs and other plants which provide food, shelter or roosting sites for birds.
Netting or draining of streams, routinely wet grassland and areas of standing water
Prevention of transient formation of such areas after heavy rainfall.
Liaison with local authorities
to ensure that landfill waste disposal sites are not operated so as to create an aircraft hazard.
Use of bird scaring techniques
Broadcast of bird distress signals, firing of pyrotechnic bird scaring cartridges.
Summary
Bird strike is just another potential danger that pilots may face during flights. Throughout the history and development of aviation, planes have collided with animals during takeoff, climb, and landing - and over time, aircraft have been improved to withstand significant collisions, and systems for restraint and counteraction have been developed.
Modern radars, ornithological procedures, and research help pilots and dispatchers perform their work with greater safety than ever before.
Fly safe :)
Modern radars, ornithological procedures, and research help pilots and dispatchers perform their work with greater safety than ever before.
Fly safe :)
Name of article: Bird strike
Release date: 12/22/2023
Acrticle author: Nikita Pavlov
Release date: 12/22/2023
Acrticle author: Nikita Pavlov
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