Conflict of Wings: Birds Versus Aircraft

Abstract

The chapter provides an introduction into the way in which for over 100 years birds have been a threat to aviation. Accident features and figures illustrate how bird impacts have resulted in the destruction of more than 500 civil and military aircraft leading to the loss of over 450 lives. Brief details are included of some accidents to airliners and executive jets, to the smaller general aviation aircraft and to helicopters and to military aircraft. Analysis is included of the problematic bird species and the vulnerable parts of the aircraft. This shows that the major threat to airliners and executive jets are bird flocks causing damage to engines, while the major risk to general aviation aeroplanes and to helicopters is the windshield being holed by large birds leading to pilot incapacitation or loss of control. Some of the methods of reducing the risk are described ranging from stronger aircraft and engines, to measures on and around airfields and the use of radar to track bird movements. International legislation is also briefly covered.