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some interesting info on bird strikes generally in
Australia (not specific to Canberra)
the bird most often struck is a hawk (156 strikes recorded
1991-2001), but the eagle is no.1 on the hazard scale, with over 50% of
strikes involving eagles (38 strikes) recorded) resulting in damage to
planes - but ibis and duck are 2 and 3 on the hazard list (hazard
being calculated on number of strikes and likelihood of damage)
It does point out that some other birds are potentially
more of a problem, but are seldom struck by planes - pelicans have been
responsible for fatalities in a helicopter-pelican altercation , but the actual
number of strikes is low.
Canberra has a very low rate of bird strikes(1.89 per
10,000 plane movements) - only Sydney and Perth among the sizeable airports have
lower rates. Highest rate is Alice Springs, at 10.97 strikes per 10,000
plane movements
the 5 birds most frequently involved in bird strikes in
Australia are hawks, galahs, plovers, gulls and magpies.
(also found reference to an incident at Canberra airport in
2001 when an Ansett plane had to be grounded when a fox was sucked into the
engine!)
Sandra
Henderson
Manager, Research, Coordination Support
Branch
National Library of Australia
CANBERRA ACT
2600
Phone: +61 2 6262 1481
Fax: +61 2 6273 2545
Email:
Oh, I had better clarify on an unfortunate
juxtaposition of paragraphs (in case someone wrongly thinks there is a
connection).
I mentioned my 1990 report and then in the next
sentence copied across a quote from Martin. I rush to add that "the offending
report" that Martin refers to (and I don't even know what report that is -
although the context would suggest it is the Jerrabomberra Wetland
Management Plan), is not in any way related to my report or to the book
(that I mentioned, that was published by AGPS in 1977). Sad how such things
are noticed after sending a message.
Philip
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