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:

Wildlife, often attracted by human factors like abandoned pets, poses a significant safety hazard at airports, necessitating proactive management.
Pilots are required to report all wildlife encounters (birds, bats, and mammals over 2.2 pounds) to the FAA, as this data is crucial for creating effective wildlife management plans and improving airport safety.
Airports implement various deterrence methods, and pilots can reduce strike risk by flying above 2,500 feet, avoiding known wildlife congregation areas, and being prepared to maneuver if a bird approaches.
In the event of a bird strike, the primary focus is to maintain control of the aircraft, followed by reporting the incident with detailed information to aid ongoing safety research and data collection.

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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.