Migrating ducks cross the Himalayas.
A 747 hit one at 30'000 plus which destroyed it's radome.
Penetrations of perspex screens are not uncommon. For some reason helicopters seem more vulnerable.
A jetranger pilot in the states was hit in the face by a duck which knocked him out. He was saved by the autopilot which remained engaged until he recovered. The duck was recovered from the rear parcel shelf.
If a large bird comes through the screen at 90 knots and hits you in the face a smart pair of shades will not be much use. They might save your eyes from flying perspex shards.
Just out of interest bird strikes on commercial airliners flying into and out of airfields in the UK are an almost daily occurence, particularly in coastal locations. The structure and engines on large aircraft will take the strain.
The slower the aircraft the more time the bird has to move out of the way.
It could be that single engined aircraft are protected by the prop to some extent.
Last edited by ericferret; 13th Apr 2007 at 13:33.
Reason: addition