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10-12-2010, 01:38 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Sherwood, Oregon
Posts: 981
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Bugs @ 10K?
We were cruising along yesterday at 10.5K on a severe clear flight from Santa Rosa to Newberg, OR, and right over Weed, CA a rather large bug, maybe a bumblebee, went splat on the windscreen.
Begs the questions... What was he doing up there and has anyone hit one higher? Inquiring minds, ya know...
The gods were messing with us on this trip, 20 mph headwinds both ways..Only averaged about 160...21+mpg tho... thanks to LOP
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__________________
Jerry Cochran
Sherwood, Oregon
RV-7a 707DD Bot from David Domeier 12/01/11
Lycoming IO-360 Catto 3 blade Panel upgrade in progress
RV6a 18XP 1st flite 03/21/07 sold to Dale Walter 10/22/2011
Superior IO-360, Hartzell Blended, GRT/Dynon
Happily "autopaying" DR
"Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress; but I repeat myself."
Mark Twain
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10-12-2010, 02:03 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Saint Simons Island , GA
Posts: 1,520
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Scared the Bejeezus out of me
I hit what appeared to be a locust (huge grasshopper) between 12 and 13000 feet descending into Austin years ago. ATC had called out pop up traffic at 12 oclock and less that a mile, no altitude so I had my nose up against the winscreen of the 340 looking for it. Just before it hit, I focused on it and it SPLATTED right in front of my face. I thought I was dead..
funny now..
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Jerry "Widget" Morris
RV 8, N8JL, 3,000+ hours on my 8.
VAF #818
Saint Simons Island, GA. KSSI
PIF 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011,2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
 I just wish I could afford to live the way I do 
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10-12-2010, 02:03 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: 57AZ - NW Tucson area
Posts: 10,011
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Ask your local glider pilot...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jerry Cochran
We were cruising along yesterday at 10.5K on a severe clear flight from Santa Rosa to Newberg, OR, and right over Weed, CA a rather large bug, maybe a bumblebee, went splat on the windscreen.
Begs the questions... What was he doing up there and has anyone hit one higher? Inquiring minds, ya know...
The gods were messing with us on this trip, 20 mph headwinds both ways..Only averaged about 160...21+mpg tho... thanks to LOP
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Since you were only about 7.5K AGL, the answer is probably thermals.
Glider pilots head for circling birds to find lift. The birds are usually not out have fun and practising formation flying, they are most likely circling and eating bugs that have been picked up off the ground by thermals... 
IIRC, Weed is an area of green farm fields near the highway - irrigated fields attract flies/bugs like...(you fill in the blank)
I do enjoy flying past Mt Shasta - but some strange local stuff http://www.siskiyous.edu/shasta/fol/lem/selvius.htm or perhaps the pot they grow there is too strong... 
In the desert areas of the SW, bugs at 18K are possible...
__________________
Gil Alexander
EAA Technical Counselor, Airframe Mechanic
Half completed RV-10 QB purchased
RV-6A N61GX - finally flying
Grumman Tiger N12GA - flying
La Cholla Airpark (57AZ) Tucson AZ
Last edited by az_gila : 10-12-2010 at 02:11 PM.
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10-12-2010, 02:15 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Sisters, OR
Posts: 179
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Got mine at 13,500'
Jerry -
I hit mine at the same location while coming back from Sisters, OR to Livermore, CA on 10/5/10. Just west of Mt. Shasta, 13,500' big yellow splat on the plexiglass. It surprised me almost as much, I'm sure, as it surprised him.
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Mike Macon
RV6A
Carbon Cub EX
VAF #201
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10-12-2010, 02:22 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Elkhart, Indiana
Posts: 1,186
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Glad you brought this up ...
I flew my wife down to Missouri last Friday and was surprised to see a sizeable SPLAT on the windshield at 8500 feet. I was pretty sure that I'd just interfered with an ICAO time-to-climb record attempt, Bug Division. 
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Don McNamara
Peoria, AZ
Builder: RV-8 "Smokey"
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10-12-2010, 03:22 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Delta, CO/Atlin, BC
Posts: 2,389
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I recall that there was another similar thread a year or so ago, with similar altitudes. Maybe that's where the "bug stream" is (corollary of the jet stream) and this is migration season?
greg
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Greg Arehart
RV-9B (Big tires) Tipup @AJZ or CYSQ
N 7965A
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10-12-2010, 03:35 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Victoria B.C.
Posts: 1,265
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I have smashed bugs up at 18000 ft. At least they don't have the guts to do it again.
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10-12-2010, 03:53 PM
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Opulence, I has it...
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: TX
Posts: 830
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Norman CYYJ
At least they don't have the guts to do it again.
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Rimshot!!!
THAT was funny!
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Joe Ferraro
DFW, VAF #17
SOLD
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10-12-2010, 05:28 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 2,295
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I hit a big yellow one once at 9500MSL over eastern Alabama -- it left a big spot about 1.5 inches in diameter -- the splatter was loud enough for me to hear it. I asked an entomologist friend of mine and she explained that there are some migratory insects that actually 'cruise' that high.
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"What kind of man would live where there is no daring? I don't believe in taking foolish chances but nothing can be accomplished without taking any chance at all." - Charles A. Lindbergh
Jamie | RV-7A First Flight: 7/27/2007 (Sold)
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10-12-2010, 05:33 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SC
Posts: 12,887
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Q: What's the last thing to go through a bug's mind as it hits your canopy?
A: It's butt.
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Bill R.
RV-9 (Yes, it's a dragon tail)
O-360 w/ dual P-mags
Build the plane you want, not the plane others want you to build!
SC86 - Easley, SC
www.repucci.com/bill/baf.html
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