NVFR Aves
Thread Starter
NVFR Aves
I don't fly at night much but have had cause to recently on a couple of occassions.
On a recent night flight from from YBCS to YBTL, as I dropped the gear on a right base for Rwy 07 at YBTL (over the wetlands), I have a vague recollection of a bit of a bump. Did not pay it much heed at the time. Landed and put the Bo in the hangar.
On the next pre-flight I noticed a small "bruise" in the leading edge of the left wing, about half way from the tip. I now believe this to be the result of a bird strike.
I have had 2 other bird strikes in 35 years - both daytime. I have had many close calls, including a high flying Pelican and a couple of Wedgies.
Just curious to know if anyone else has had a nighttime bird strike?
I would sure hate to tangle with a Wedgetail, Magpie Goose or even an Ibis.
Dr
On a recent night flight from from YBCS to YBTL, as I dropped the gear on a right base for Rwy 07 at YBTL (over the wetlands), I have a vague recollection of a bit of a bump. Did not pay it much heed at the time. Landed and put the Bo in the hangar.
On the next pre-flight I noticed a small "bruise" in the leading edge of the left wing, about half way from the tip. I now believe this to be the result of a bird strike.
I have had 2 other bird strikes in 35 years - both daytime. I have had many close calls, including a high flying Pelican and a couple of Wedgies.
Just curious to know if anyone else has had a nighttime bird strike?
I would sure hate to tangle with a Wedgetail, Magpie Goose or even an Ibis.
Dr
Last edited by ForkTailedDrKiller; 20th May 2007 at 03:05.
Metrosexual
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I hit a bat at night once in a C310. Made it through the prop blades and smashed into the engine cowl, and splattered onto the cyliners. I could smell its guts in the cockpit.
Turned me off bbq bat for life, I tell ya!
I just missed a bird the other night that flashed by in my recogs.
Turned me off bbq bat for life, I tell ya!
I just missed a bird the other night that flashed by in my recogs.
Thread Starter
I didn't think birds flew much at night, until I went for a lap down the Burdekin R with night vision gear on, in a Blackhawk. It was as black as the inside of a cows guts - but with the night vision gear you could see ducks flying along the river.
Dr
Dr
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Bats?
When flying the ILS at Alice Springs at night, it was not uncommon to see something flash by in the landing lights. I never hit any but something was certainly flying there very often.
It is known that there is a bat cave in the area so I assumed that's what I saw. I guess their radar helped them miss me.
It is known that there is a bat cave in the area so I assumed that's what I saw. I guess their radar helped them miss me.
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One of my previous collegues hit a bird at night. Also hit a roo at night on landing just a minute after I had landed! Fortunately no significant damage to the aircraft in either case although the same can't be said of the animals...
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Thread drift
Slight thread drift.
A mate of mine once told me that Geese often at night (in flocks) tried to land on his farm machinery shed. You can imagine the surprise they get when contacting the corrugated tin roof (glistening in the moonlight) in the mistaken belief it is water.
Two Dogs
A mate of mine once told me that Geese often at night (in flocks) tried to land on his farm machinery shed. You can imagine the surprise they get when contacting the corrugated tin roof (glistening in the moonlight) in the mistaken belief it is water.
Two Dogs
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I've hit a fruit bat at night on short final into YHBA. Diced up in the prop, larger bit left a nice stain on the stab.
Mate hit a bat in the flare also at YHBA, right on dusk (his fault, they're bloody everywhere at dusk) in a TRIKE!!! Hit him square on the helmet visor and then through the prop.
Mate hit a bat in the flare also at YHBA, right on dusk (his fault, they're bloody everywhere at dusk) in a TRIKE!!! Hit him square on the helmet visor and then through the prop.
Going into YCKN a few years back saw an Ibis appear in the lights just before a big thud on the left hand side. Luckily it hit the LH main gear, so just a bit messy. Also had a flying fox strike on NVGs one night up near Macrossan, but was lucky again as it hit the upper WSPS-blood everywhere. Also managed a 7ft Roo at Einasleigh in a C90, lucky Beech build strong aircraft. Best proof of that was Wazzas efforts with the 2 HORSE strike in FDS just after touchdown, and she was flying again less than 1 year later. There is always wildlife out there somewhere!
