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Old 9th June 2025 | 09:11
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mercher77
 
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 6
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From: france
fear of a bird strike at night

Hello everyone,

I’m about to depart from Réunion at night, and I must admit I’m quite apprehensive (especially after the crash in Korea): the presence of birds around the runways and, above all, the risk that during takeoff, one of them could be ingested into both engines during rotation.

I believe that Réunion Airport isn’t equipped with specific bird radars… and even less infrared cameras—yet considering the tropical wildlife and the bird breeding season, they probably should be. So, how do airports and pilots practically keep birds away, especially at night ?
  • Is there any “bird radar” at the airport?
  • Do you receive information in advance about bird presence (radar, observations, weather)?
Regarding the pilots’ role:
  • Do you receive a “bird strike” bulletin or alert before departure?
  • Do you adjust your flight path, altitude, or speed to avoid known risk areas?
In short: how do you manage to minimize the risk of a bird strike at night in Réunion? Your feedback would really help me understand and feel reassured 😊

Thanks in advance to the specialists!
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