Thanks, CCA.
I guess pulling the CBs is only simulating a failure of the AOA sensor internals which would be much less likely to occur due to a bird strike. The vane would most likely have to be ripped from the shell of the AOA sensor to generate airspeed flags (or the bird go through the skin and affect the electrical wiring).
I wonder if the shape of the vane has any influence on impact resistance. There are older wedge-shaped vanes and newer wing-type vanes on 744s.
