How close to a bird strike?

[Nomore767]

One time landing the Fokker FK-100 at OKC we hit a bird. Since it was home of the FAA, and I knew how much paperwork there was, I told the tower that they would need to send a truck out to clear it up. They asked what type bird, I replied it was a weird type, short with a beak coming out of its rear. He laughed but I had forgotten about the Feds. Yikes, but no problem.
Our company required a logbook entry and another form in incredible detail...tedious.

We had a flight out of Paris that hit birds at about 12000'. Migrating geese and one went through the side of the cabin on left side just under cockpit window and splattered all over the Captain's kit-bag. This was a 767.

Landed at Philadelphia at night and hit a fox just after we touched down. Told tower and they told the plane landing behind to be aware. They reported "ugh..debris on runway.' No paperwork required for a fox.
We ran over a pheasant in a Sabreliner and somehow it got stuck into the gear mechanism. It was hanging there for a couple of days before the mechanics could raise the gear and pry the cracass out.

Many birds and gulls at airports like JFK, LGA, and so on because of proximity to water, wild life refuges and garbage dumps. Always good to think about the possibility of a bird hitting a smaller airplane like an LSA. I've had quite a few birds get close only to veer away. Haven't seen one 'flip the bird' yet...so to speak. I have thought what kind of damage a hawk could do to an RV-12., especially around the prop and canopy.

I think there was a video on You Tube of a 210 guy filming the flight when they hit a goose which came through the windshield.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVq3dfDDFKY

Thus far the only bird strike I've had in my RV-12 was a bird who landed on the top of my tail and promptly took a dump. No respect man.

[Cluemeister]

We have not had to do any abrupt maneuvers, but in my 35 hours we have definitely taken avoidance maneuvers a minimum of 3 times. It seemed like a lot, and that's why I asked.

Move the training area away from the bird sanctuary! I've only come close a few times. No evasion necessary.

I'm thinking it might be the bird feeder we had installed on the Skycatcher, but I'm not sure. Opinions?

[designrs]

Are there certain altitudes are more prone to bird strikes?
I remember Helen from Chesapeake Sport Pilot in Baybridge, MD publishing some notes about recommended altitudes to avoid local migrating birds.

[ct4me]

You never know.... I've flown 1,000 ft AGL along the beach for hundreds of miles and never saw a bird, but then hit one flying 6.5k msl over the desert. No damage, but bits and feathers in the radiator and blood spattered here and there...


http://ctflier.com/index.php?/topic/344 ... 0/?hl=bird 1

[drseti]

No damage to YOU, Tim, but that poor bird...

[MackAttack]

This just happened to a 172 here in Houston:

http://www.click2houston.com/news/bird- ... cy-landing

[drseti]

I think I know the cause of that particular bird strike. The 172 was from American Flyers. It has their logo painted on the cowling. That logo is a large bird. The unfortune victim was obviously trying unsuccessfully to mate with it.