One down in the Riverland

[Mish A]

YM, We do have to consider that the almond growers do get a little upset when they pick up too many discarded shotgun cartridges in the orchard at harvest time. I bet there is a plan for spent cartridges?

[youngmic]

MA, in short nope, but the vast majority of engagement time would likely be spent not over the orchard itself but the adjacent paddocks.

The crow is not a fool and even the slowest witted of the mob would be in afterburner mode out of there at the first sight or sound of such a device speeding their way.

Particularly if the operator has a mind to doggedly pursue an individual to the ultimate conclusion of the encounter.

[Pinky the pilot]

Most interesting story youngmic;
Heard much the same M'self a few years ago! Except that another bloke suggested using the Franchi Spas 12 shottie as the armament concerned, figuring that the semi auto function of said shottie would be more effective!

But as none of this ever happened, well... it does make a good story!

[onetrack]

If offered the job again....I'd grab it in a flash!!

Pinky, The photo shown in the news link, of a blue PA-28 sitting in the trees, indicates there's an immediate vacancy on offer for you in that almond orchard, right at this very moment!

[Lead Balloon]

Hey youngmic: You should apply for an STC for those modifications. Should be simple!

[youngmic]

You should apply for an STC for those modifications. Should be simple

!

As things evolved over the years to what is now the SOP for Aerial Bird Control (no UL aircraft with shotguns) and operating under formal AOC's. The concept was run up the flag pole so to speak with CASA regarding a more conventional aircraft with door off and a side mounted installation with a 2nd person dedicated to the exercise, the initial round of talks were not dismissed.

Things moved on and other destinies called.

Heard much the same M'self a few years ago! Except that another bloke suggested using the Franchi Spas 12 shottie as the armament concerned, figuring that the semi auto function of said shottie would be more effective!

I believe this was canvassed at the time this story apparently took place, if a single shot Baikal was good a semi auto would be better was the thought. However management, so I'm told, had little to say on this but to just deftly turn a head toward the chep pallet in the shed stacked 4' high with boxes of Winchester Super X and raise an eyebrow.

I think perhaps what they were alluding to was if that pallet was required to feed a single shot for the season what the hell would they need to write on the cheque to feed a semi auto.

Fair point, learn to shoot better, discussion dropped.

[gerry111]

I reckon all those almond growers should get together and simply hire an AC-130 gunship. Let's not faff around..

[Pinky the pilot]

Pinky, The photo shown in the news link, of a blue PA-28 sitting in the trees, indicates there's an immediate vacancy on offer for you in that almond orchard, right at this very moment!

Dunno about that onetrack! Think they need another aircraft first!!

Gerry111; The a/c I flew when doing the 'bird chasing'* was a Cherokee Archer. I won't mention the reggo here.


* Used to love the looks I got when replying as to what I had been doing back then. "Bird Chasing, and in a light aircraft!"

[linedriva]

Bird scaring was a great way to hone some flying skills - decided it was time to look for something else when I found myself doing a steep turn at treetop height whilst twisting to look out of the rear window of a Cherokee. I was concentrating on getting rid of the buggers rather than flying the aircraft! - that was 20+ years ago and I've got my priorities in far better shape now!