BIRD STRIKE! I'm an ace.

[olyolson]

Whew, that probably got your attention. Thanks for sharing with everyone, valuable lesson learned here as a previous poster said: "Fly the airplane first". The big question is "Got any good Quail recipes?

[panhandler1956]

Glad you're ok. I hate to see those bird strikes - scary stuff! Good job keeping your cool!

[Brantel]

Glad your OK. The plane can be repaired!

Did you eat the birds? Quail are yummy!

Last weekend I was up flying when the Sun was comming up. I could not resist a low power low approach on our field. There was nobody in site so I went for it. I started seeing birds and a flock of geese as I turned final so it ended up being one of those moments where you say to yourself "Self, this ain't worth it!" So I just leveled off and flew a 300ft approach with my eyes peeled!

[Louise Hose]

Thanks for the post. It was very informative (and scary). I, too, was shocked when you revealed the damage was by quail.

[6S4 Hugo]

...make Quail stuffed with wild mushrooms.

As others have said, you can castigate yourself for the errors but don't forget that you did the right thing and flew the airplane.

[pierre smith]

Mitch, I don't have any stats that show that a 1/3 painted spinner works to deter birds but when I've seen them running, the two-color spinner is definitely noticeable, rather than the blurred prop blades.

I know a bird has incredible vision but a solid color spinner cannot be seen moving, so my guess is that a 1/3-2/3 painted spinner would be a good idea.

Best,

[Ironflight]

Great job all around Michael - great to see you made it through this, and as others have said, the windshield can be replaced. We have a time each year here at our Airpark where Turkey Buzzards fill the skies...I might have to start thinking about pulling the helmet out of the bag on some of those days.... Cause man, all it would take is one thing going the wrong way, and you've got an eye full of bird!

Thanks for sharing this one - it is going to make a lot of people think - and thinking is GOOD!

Paul

[Black8]

Paul, I know " thinking is good" but wasn't it a "Quail" that said.....wait for it!!!......"a mind is a terrible thing"

[lostpilot28]

Glad to see you're (mostly) OK! I'm a little surprised that the quail didn't glance off the windscreen. Did your prop take any damage?

Also, I second the idea of stenciling 5 bird silhouettes under your canopy!

[Geico266]

I realize 5 is an ace, but we are talking quail here. Your limit is 6 per day.