Hello, my name is Ben Lovegrove and in this video I'm going to read the CAA's Safety Sense
Leaflet Number 10 - Bird Avoidance.
The leaflet has been reproduced here in video format with the permission of the CAA.
To download a copy of this (or any other in the series) to print off or store on your
device please visit www.caa.co.uk/safetysense.
INTRODUCTION.
Many pilots do not realise that if they collide with a soft feathery bird, the effect of speed
turns it into a missile capable of inflicting considerable damage.
This has included smashed windshields (killing pilots), blocked engine air intakes, broken
pitot heads, damaged brake hoses, holed structures and helicopter tail rotor damage.
Out of about 100 incidents reported each year by UK general aviation pilots, about 5% result
in damage or caused an effect on the flight.
The advice given in this leaflet may provide greater awareness of the problem, and perhaps
further reduce the number of collisions as well as help pilots to minimise the consequences
if a bird strike does occur.
PLANNING THE FLIGHT.
a) Check aerodrome documentation and NOTAMs (issued by some countries as BIRDTAMs) for
information about permanent or seasonal bird problems at both departure and destination
aerodromes.
b) Plan to fly as high as possible, only 1% of general aviation bird strikes occur above
2,500 ft (although a jet airliner struck a vulture at 37,000 ft off the W. African coast!).
c) Do not fly over bird and wildlife sanctuaries detailed in UK AIP ENR 5.6.3 or marked on
aeronautical charts.
d) Avoid flying along rivers or shore lines, especially at low altitude. Birds as well
as pilots use these useful navigational features.
e) Note also that inland waters and shallow estuaries, even outside the breeding season,
may contain large numbers of gulls, waders and wildfowl which make regular flights around
dawn and dusk.
In order to minimise the possibility of bird strikes and unnecessary disturbance of birds,
DO NOT fly low over such areas.
Note: It is an offence to deliberately disturb nesting birds - pilots have been successfully
prosecuted for doing so.
f) Avoid off-shore islands, headlands, cliffs, inland waters and shallow estuaries, so as
not to disturb nesting colonies.
g) Helicopters cause more disturbance to bird colonies than fixed-wing aeroplanes.
h) Birds do fly at night.
i) If there are two pilots, discuss emergency procedures before departure, including those
if the cockpit communications are lost.
j) Up to 80–90 kt, birds often have time to get out of your way, but the higher the
speed, the greater the chance of a strike.
k) If your flying requires lengthy periods at low level, consider wearing head protection
with polycarbonate visor.
Pilots’ lives have been saved by their helmets, particularly in helicopters.
Use goggles and a head protection during air racing.
l) In July and August the risk of a strike is at its greatest because many inexperienced
young birds are present.
Also, the flying abilities of adults may be impaired as they moult their flight feathers.
m) Birds of prey have been known to attack aircraft!
AT THE AERODROME AND IN FLIGHT.
a) In springtime, pre-flight the aircraft thoroughly as birds can build a nest almost
overnight.
Any signs of grass etc. may necessitate further investigation of hard-to-inspect corners.
A nest under the cowling could catch fire, or one in the tail area can restrict the flying
controls.
b) Before taxiing, listen for warnings of bird activity on the ATIS, e.g. a mass release
of racing pigeons.
c) While taxiing, look for birds on the aerodrome.
The most frequently struck birds, gulls, have a grey or black back which makes them hard
to see on concrete or tarmac runways.
d) In general terms, the slower a bird's wing beat, the bigger the bird and the more hazardous
it could be.
e) If birds are observed on the aerodrome, request aerodrome personnel to disperse them
before you take off.
This is particularly important for turbo-prop and jet-powered aircraft operating at aerodromes
mainly used by smaller general aviation aircraft (the birds may have got used to slow aircraft).
f) Never use an aircraft to scare birds away.
g) Some aircraft have windshield heating - remember that its use, in accordance with the Pilot’s
Operating Handbook or Flight Manual, will make the windshield more pliable and better
able to withstand bird impact.
h) Use landing lights during take-off, climb, descent, approach and landing. Although there
is no conclusive evidence that birds see and avoid aircraft lights, their use will make
the aircraft more visible.
i) If you experience a bird strike during the take-off run, provided there is sufficient
runway remaining – stop.
Taxi off the runway and shut down.
Inspect the intake, engine etc for damage/ingestion, or for bird remains blocking cooling or other
airflow ducts.
Several airline incidents have occurred where turbine engine damage or high vibration developed
during subsequent flights because of undetected engine damage.
Don't forget to check landing gear and brake hydraulic lines, downlocks, weight switches
and the rest.
j) Where the take-off must be continued, and the strike produces an engine problem, properly
identify the affected engine and execute emergency procedures, then tell the aerodrome why you
are returning.
It is essential to FLY THE AIRCRAFT.
k) If you see birds ahead of you, and it is safe to do so, attempt to pass above them
as birds usually break-away downwards when threatened.
Be particularly careful when near the ground, and never do anything that might lead to a
stall or spin.
l) As you pass through a flock, or feel a strike,
FLY THE AIRCRAFT.
Maintain the correct speed and use whatever performance remains to reach a safe height.
m) If structural or control system damage is suspected (or the windshield is holed)
consider the need for a controllability check before attempting a landing.
During such a check at a safe height, do not slow down below threshold speed.
Be wary of unseen helicopter tail rotor damage.
n) If the windshield is broken (or cracked), slow the aircraft to reduce wind blast, follow
approved procedures (depressurise a pressurised aircraft), use sunglasses or smoke goggles
to reduce the effect of wind, precipitation, or debris, but remember to fly the aircraft.
Don't be distracted by the blood, feathers, smell and windblast.
Small general aviation aeroplane and helicopter windshields are not required to be tested
against bird impact and the propeller gives little protection.
Gulls, pigeons, lapwings and even swifts can hole light aircraft windshields.
o) If dense bird concentrations are expected, avoid high-speed descent and approach.
Halving the speed results in a quarter of the impact energy.
p) If flocks of birds are visible on the approach, go-around early. The approach may be clear
on a second attempt.
AFTER FLIGHT.
a) After landing, if you have had a bird strike, check the aircraft for damage.
b) Inform the aerodrome owner or operator of the circumstances and all details.
They have further guidance in CAP 772 “Birdstrike Risk Management for Aerodromes”.
c) Article 227 of the ANO 2009 requires pilots to report all bird strikes to the CAA.
As described in AIC 66/2008 (White 152), use the Online Birdstrike Reporting System at
www.caa.co.uk/birdstrikereport or fax a copy of the Birdstrike Occurrence Report Form (SRG2004)
to 01293 573971.
SUMMARY.
• Check NOTAMs/ATIS for bird activity at departure and destination aerodrome.
• Plan to fly as high as possible, most birds fly below 2,500 ft.
• Avoid bird sanctuaries and coastlines in spring.
• Pre-flight the aircraft thoroughly, birds nests can be built (or rebuilt) in a few hours.
• Many hazardous species are coloured such that they merge into the background.
• If you see hazardous birds on or near runways, get aerodrome personnel to move them
BEFORE you take off.
• The higher the speed, the greater the risk and consequential damage.
• Birds usually escape by diving, so try to fly over them, but do NOT risk a stall
or spin.
• Most general aviation aircraft windshields etc. are NOT required to be able to withstand
bird strikes.
• If the windshield is broken, avoid distraction – FLY THE AIRCRAFT.
• Report ALL bird strikes, ideally using the online Birdstrike Reporting System.
That's the end of the CAA's Safety Sense Leaflet Number 10 - Bird Avoidance.
If you have any additional tips or experiences you would like to pass on then please post
a comment below.
Subscribe to my channel and click the bell to be notified of the next video in this series.
Please share this video within the General Aviation community so that pilots and student
pilots can benefit from the advice.