Avoiding and Surviving Bird Strikes

According to the FAA, pilots are asked to report encounters with all birds, bats, and terrestrial mammals larger than 2.2 pounds.

Meg Godlewski

Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 11:03 AM ET

Verified

When it comes to bird strikes, authorities want to know what kind of animal was hit and where the collision took place, including the altitude. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

Airports face significant wildlife hazards, often exacerbated by external factors like abandoned pets attracting predators, necessitating effective wildlife management.
The FAA mandates pilots report all wildlife encounters involving animals over 2.2 pounds, providing specific guidance on *what*, *when*, and *how* to report to enhance airport safety and aid mitigation efforts.
Pilots can reduce strike risks by avoiding known wildlife congregations and flying at higher altitudes; if a strike occurs, the priority is to maintain aircraft control and then file a detailed report for data collection and safety improvements.

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“What the —!” the learner cried out as we rolled out from landing.

Ahead of us some 1,000 feet down the runway there was a bald eagle standing on the centerline, scarfing down the carcass of what looked like a large white rabbit. We brought the aircraft to a stop as the bird stopped its feeding frenzy and hopped toward us, spreading its wings and obviously saying, “Come at me, bro!” in eagle.