RV-8 Bird Strikes

[N543RV]

Gents,

Two guys I hanger with had bird strikes on Tueday evening. Flight of 2 RV8's have bird strikes at 180 kts. Not sure who ran into who.....Damage to 1st RV8 consists of a nerf football size dent in the leading edge of the tank. Second RV8 took it right through the front windshield.

Both landed without incedent other than a few stitches and brown shorts for the second RV8 aviator. No idea what kind of bird or how big. All I can say is WOW!!!

Here is a link to the pictures.

http://s1074.photobucket.com/albums/w405/rv6aaviator/








Jeff Sandor
RV6A

[msturgis]

Wow! Just Wow. I'm glad they are ok.

Probably doesn't matter, but do you know if this was a Todd's canopy or Vans?

[gib]

Looking at the pictures and I am hoping all that blood and guts are from the bird.

[pilotian]

hope he doesnt need to replace the seat cushions as well

Glad everyone is alright! That had to of been alarming

[izzybear]

Wow - that is amazing! I really like the last picture, looking forward from the pilot seat, it really puts it in perspective. I wonder if the sloped windscreen (more angle) or maybe the Todds Canopy (a little thicker) would have faired any better? Who knows - it may have been a Todd's?? Good job flying the plane to a safe landing!! Thanks for sharing.

[songbird]

To repair the dent you might consider your local "paintless dent repair" guy. I had a similar encounter which was repaired in my hangar (his tools were in his truck). I did remove the tank and cut 5" access holes in the baffle for him to reach in from behind. Dent is gone. Paint is intact, and you have to look very close to see any evidence of the fix. Two hours and $250. Because of the sloshing issue, Vans sells a special baffle repair kit.

[jbDC9]

Originally Posted by izzybear

I really like the last picture, looking forward from the pilot seat, it really puts it in perspective.

It's just freakin' scary. Close enough to smash the headset... ouch. I've had a few close calls with birds here and there, but that pic makes me want to start wearing a helmet with the visor down, yikes!

[SHIPCHIEF]

I know it sounds cheezy, but safety equipment is always a good idea.
When I was young, I rode motorcycles without a helmet and all that...
But I noticed the odds were piling up.
At the least, you should wear some of those polycarbonate sunglasses, or the clear ones if it's not sunny. Thay are strong enough to stop shotgun pellets, block UV radiation, plus thay come in the coolest designs and colors!!
Beats having feathers in your eyes on final (or worse).

[douglassmt]

Just curious if there have been any windscreen bird strikes on RV-10s. I don't know how thick the windscreens are on the other models, but I was impressed with how thick it was on the -10 (1/2", maybe a little less?). I'd be impressed if a bird went through it, but at 170 knots, there's a lot of energy.

[skelrad]

Just curious if anyone has considered putting some of that protective film on the inside of the canopy - like is used on home windows to protect against intrusions. That stuff is amazingly strong, but I'm not sure how it might affect visibility. It would keep the canopy from shattering at least.