Stanwell,
Never realised that pelicans can fly for any distance ! (but then there'a lot I still don't know and it's a bit too late to start now !). They seem to be able to shuffle around slowly (like me), but they're wizard underwater (where the grub is). Makes no sense to fly high, where I would suppose them to be at risk from big raptors.
Such as a jumbo jet ! One of those into an intake, and it would do the engine no good at all ! What you chaps have to contend with - now it's a drone with my fortnight's groceries from Tesco as well !
Danny.