Can Barbra Streisand Dummies Prevent Bird Strikes on Airplanes?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the issue of bird strikes on airplanes, exploring potential solutions and the challenges associated with them. Participants consider various approaches, technical modifications, and the frequency and severity of bird strikes in aviation.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that bird strikes are a common occurrence and typically not serious unless large birds are involved.
  • There are existing measures at airports, such as noise and light deterrents, as well as the use of hawks and models to scare birds away.
  • One participant humorously suggests extreme solutions like eliminating jet planes or birds altogether.
  • Concerns are raised about the effectiveness of modifying jet inlets, with suggestions to angle them or add screens, but others argue this would significantly reduce engine efficiency.
  • Some participants emphasize that while bird strikes happen frequently, they rarely lead to crashes, suggesting that the issue is not prioritized in aviation safety efforts.
  • A humorous suggestion is made about using life-sized Barbra Streisand dummies as a deterrent for birds.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the seriousness of bird strikes and potential solutions, with no consensus on a definitive approach or solution to the problem.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes various assumptions about the feasibility and effectiveness of proposed solutions, as well as the implications of modifying aircraft design. There are unresolved questions regarding the balance between safety measures and operational efficiency.

T.O.E Dream
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I know that a lot of plane crashes were caused by birds being sucked into an engine (e.g. the Hudson River Landing). Is there a way around the problem? I know that no solution is out there so what are some things that's stopping it?
 
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T.O.E Dream said:
Is there a way around the problem?
Avoid birds
I know that no solution is out there so what are some things that's stopping it?
There are lots of solutions used, airports have load noise and flashing light bird scarers, some places also use hawks and models of hawks.
 
Two possibilities:
- get rid of jet planes
- get rid of birds

Seriously, there is not much you can do, beyond more robust engines & cockpit glass.
 
Bird strikes happen somewhere in the world almost daily, they aren't usually that serious.
it's only bad when you hit something large enough to knock out the engines, generally the engine wins

http://www.bild.de/BILD/news/bild-english/PICTURES/news/2009/09/2009-09-29-bird-strike-boeing-plane-germania-jet/bird-strike-germania-plane-dusseldorf-01-13538449__MBQF,templateId=renderScaled,property=Bild,height=349.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
It happened again today, by the way. Saw it on the local TV news just now. Didn't catch where it happened. Knocked out one of the engines. The plane landed safely, fortunately.
 
Tune into CNN right, right now. A bird knocked off a jet engine. Speak of the devil.
 
Though they happen a lot, it is extremely rare for them to cause a crash, so it isn't something real high on the list of things to put effort into - it's more of a nusance than a serious threat.
 
I'm sure they could simply angle the jet inlet up, for example. Maybe put some sort of screen over it while they were at it.

Since it doesn't seem too hard, and I'm sure someone has thought of this, it probably means that the associated efficiency losses are much worse than an engine or two getting knocked out once in a while...
 
Yes, angling the inlet up or adding a screen would vastly decrease the efficiency.
 
  • #10
Lsos said:
I'm sure they could simply angle the jet inlet up, for example. Maybe put some sort of screen over it while they were at it.
Some fighter aircraft (particulalrly Russian) have a retractable screen over the inlet to stop debris being sucked in on rought airstrips. But these inlets are very small and close to the body - the fan on a 777 or A380 is about 10ft across it would be tricky to have a bird proof screen for this.
 
  • #11
T.O.E Dream said:
Is there a way around the problem?

Flak.

T.O.E Dream said:
I know that no solution is out there so what are some things that's stopping it?

Anti-flak tower hippies.
 
  • #12
a couple of life like full size Barbra Streisand dummies would do the job
 

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