Aircraft Bird Strike: Key Insights for Aviation Professionals

Did you know that the first recorded incident of an aircraft bird strike happened to pilot Carl Roger in 1912? On this journey from coast to coast in the US, Roger's aircraft collided with a seagull, which tragically caused the aircraft to malfunction and eventually killed him.

Bird strikes in aviation are standard. They also pose a significant threat to aircraft safety. Smaller aircraft are far more susceptible to an aircraft bird strike, where there can be a loss of thrust following the ingestion of birds into engine air intakes. So, how to prevent bird strikes on aircraft? There are some strategies that airlines adopt. If you are an aspiring aviation professional, your skill in tackling this problem can become an asset and help you become more competitive in the job market.

What is a Bird Strike?

Bird strikes in aviation occur when a bird or a flock of birds collide with an aircraft. An aircraft bird strike can cause extensive damage to an airplane, resulting in costly repairs, delays, or emergency landings. Although bird strikes are comparatively less hazardous than other aviation risks, it is essential to take preventive measures to ensure they don't endanger the aircraft and everyone inside.

What Increases the Risk of Bird Strikes?

The likelihood of bird strikes in aviation increases due to several factors.

• Altitude: An aircraft bird strike can occur if the airplane is at a lower altitude. Most bird strikes happen when the aircraft is taking off or landing.
• Time of the day: The chances of an aircraft bird strike are much higher during the day, as this is when most birds are active. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also stipulates that many bird strikes occur at night with low visibility.
• Nearby environment: The airport's location also plays a role in determining a bird strike. Airports near water bodies or agricultural fields are at higher risk due to bird activity. The same can be said about airports near wildlife sanctuaries where the risk of collision is substantially greater.
• Migratory pattern: Bird strikes in aviation are much more common during spring and fall migration, when many birds pass through for food and water. According to the FAA, more than half of all bird strike incidents in the US occur between July and October.

How to Reduce Bird Strikes in Aviation

According to the FAA Wildlife Database, about 19,400 aircraft had bird strikes at 713 US airports in 2023 alone. Globally, wildlife strikes with both civilian and military aircraft have killed more than 491 people and destroyed more than 350 planes between 1988 and 2023. If you are wondering, ‘how to prevent bird strikes on aircraft,’ there are some mitigation strategies that can be adopted.

1. What Can Pilots Do?

Pilots must stay vigilant during flight hours to avoid an aircraft bird strike. Situational awareness is a vital asset all aspiring pilots, and those already in the profession should inculcate.

• Pre-flight: Before takeoff, pilots must review any available bird activity reports or advisories for the airport and surrounding areas. As a pilot, bird strikes in aviation can also be avoided if you identify areas known for high bird activity, such as wetlands, lakes, and areas near landfills. It is also essential to pay special attention to the time of dawn and dusk when bird activity is the highest and avoid any chance of an aircraft bird strike. Alternatively, you can also scan for birds using radar and visual observation, especially during critical phases of flight.
• During flight: When taking off, pilots must climb altitudes as quickly as possible, as most bird strikes occur below 3,000 feet. Pilots often slow down their speed so birds can avoid a slower-moving aircraft. If operationally possible, heat the windshield during preflight preparation, as this can help prevent damage from bird strikes.
• Post-flight: If you have experienced a bird strike, reporting it to the concerned authorities is critical. To ensure that it does not occur again, try analyzing how the aircraft bird strike happened to identify areas of improvement.

2. What Can Aircraft Maintenance Engineers do?

When wondering about how to prevent bird strikes on aircraft, one cannot overlook the crucial role of aircraft maintenance engineers. Aircraft maintenance engineers can contribute to reducing bird strikes in aviation by focusing on aircraft design, maintenance, and reporting.

• Aircraft design and maintenance: Engineers ensure that aircraft components, particularly those in the front of the aircraft, are designed to withstand an aircraft bird strike. As budding engineers in this field, you can also advocate for using materials that are strong and resistant to the impact of a bird strike. You also must undertake routine inspections for signs of bird strike damage, including thoroughly investigating the aircraft engine. You can also ensure that aircraft lighting systems, including navigation, strobe, and landing lights, are functional and visible to birds, potentially using pulsing or UV lights to enhance visibility.
• Bird strike reporting: As aircraft maintenance engineers, you must encourage pilots and cabin crews to accurately report any instance of bird strikes. The data collected over time can help you identify the weaknesses of the aircraft components. As aspiring professionals, you can also share bird strike data with relevant stakeholders, including airport authorities, wildlife management agencies, and aircraft manufacturers. It is also on you to provide feedback to designers on the effectiveness of different designs and materials.
• Training and collaboration: If you aspire to become an aircraft maintenance engineer, opt for bird strike prevention and mitigation training programs. These training programs offer a ton of insight that can benefit employed engineers, too. Keep yourself updated by reading the latest research and best practices. Work with other aviation professionals, including pilots, air traffic controllers, and airport wildlife management personnel, to improve bird strike prevention efforts.

3. What Can the Ground Crew do?

Airport operations and other professionals employed in safety roles play a vital role in mitigating an aircraft bird strike.

• Habitat management and bird deterrence: Professionals in these roles can eliminate or reduce bird strikes in aviation by managing vegetation, water sources, and nesting areas around the runway. They can also implement physical barriers such as netting or spikes that can help deter birds from landing in critical areas. Some airports have started employing trained professionals to disperse birds from the airport actively. The ground crew must also regularly inspect the runway and surrounding areas to identify potential bird hazards.
• Technical solutions: People in ground crew roles, such as operations and safety, should utilize radar systems to detect bird movement around the airport. Important information can also be conveyed in real-time to air traffic control. The ground crew can also enhance aircraft visibility to birds by strategically using navigation, strobe, landing, pulsating, and UV lights.
• Communication and collaboration: When thinking about how to prevent bird strikes on aircraft, those in operations and safety roles can help develop a comprehensive bird strike management plan that outlines roles, responsibilities, and procedures for addressing bird strikes. If you are an aspiring aviation professional, it is also vital to remember that bird strike prevention measures cannot be carried out in isolation. The ground crew should actively work with airport authorities to ensure proper implementation. Such professionals can also help ensure pilots know potential bird hazards and have the necessary information to avoid collisions.

The Role of Bird Strike Testing

When considering how to prevent bird strikes on aircraft, bird strike testing must not be overlooked. Bird strike testing, along with other measures such as habitat management and radar systems, can help airport authorities tackle the problem of bird strikes in aviation. But what is bird strike testing?

Bird strike testing attempts to simulate bird impact on aircraft to measure and assess if the aircraft components can withstand potential damage and maintain safe flight capabilities. There are two ways of doing this. The first is physical testing. Manufacturers use gas canons to fire density blocks (gelatin) at aircraft components to assess their robustness. Bird strike testing is also carried out through simulations. Computer simulations are used to analyze, and finite element modeling (FEM) is used to analyze the impact forces and potential damage, allowing for more detailed and cost-effective testing.

In the USA, the FAA mandates that airframes and aircraft engines demonstrate resistance to bird strikes. The European Union Safety Agency (EASA) has a similar rule. Only then can aircraft manufacturers pursue certification for their models.

What is the Impact of an Aircraft Bird Strike?

While aviation authorities have made safety compliance stricter, leading to better-manufactured aircraft models, the impact of an aircraft bird strike is still not harmless. Airplanes that have been stuck often have to abort their takeoffs or landings and might need to divert the flight to the nearest airport. This leads to delays, cancellations, and public frustration. Occasionally, things can get even more serious.

1. The Impact on Engines

Engines are the most vulnerable aircraft component and far more susceptible to an aircraft bird strike. When a bird gets sucked into the jet engine, it can cause damage to the engine's blades, decreasing both altitude and airspeed. It can also cause engine failure and reduce the pilot's control over the aircraft. While an aircraft can run on one engine, there have been instances where a bird strike led to dual-engine failure.

2. The Impact on Windows and Windscreens

Bird strikes in aviation have been known to impair the structural integrity of an aircraft's frame, resulting in costly repairs or even accidents. Aircraft fly at great speed, and when a collision occurs, the windscreen can break, endangering everyone in the flight—pilots, cabin crew, and passengers.

3. The Impact on Propellers

Besides the damage an aircraft birdstrike can do to engines, the same collision can also damage propellers and decrease the aircraft's efficiency. At the speed at which a bird hits an aircraft, the force can cause blades to bend or break, resulting in reduced thrust or lift.

4. The Impact on Flight Control

The flight control surfaces of an aircraft are the ailerons, elevators, and rudder. These are high-lift devices that are deployed during takeoff and landing. If a bird gets stuck in its mechanism, it cannot retract. This can substantially reduce the aircraft's maneuverability to turn or climb in specific directions.

5. The Impact on Nose Cones

An aircraft nose cone is the forwardmost, conically shaped section of an aircraft that minimizes aerodynamic drag. Damaged nose cones following an aircraft bird strike can impact the aircraft's performance and cause turbulence. A bird strike to a nose cone can reduce its aerodynamic efficiency, increasing drag and decreasing overall speed.

Conclusion

Bird strikes in aviation can be extremely costly and dangerous. Preventive measures are the foremost way to reduce their instances. The prerogative of reducing such bird strikes is not just with the airport authorities. Aviation professionals, such as pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers, and those in operations and safety roles, can all contribute to this.

Knowing about bird strikes and how to prevent them would be good if you are an aspiring aviation professional. This can help you stand out from the competition and help the employer know you are equipped. With more pilot jobs and aircraft maintenance engineer jobs opening up, it would be good to brush up on your knowledge before applying for your desired job.