It seems that some of this increase in reporting has come as a result of the landing of the Airbus in the Hudson River. Before many incidents were not reported due to a fear that it might have an economic effect on the traveling public. The government data base shows more than 93,000 bird strikes since 1990, but the FAA was not making these numbers public in order to not frighten the traveling public. Once again we see big government trying to manage the public's lives by not disclosing all of the information we have hired them to collect and disseminate. But hiding this information can create a false impression amongst pilots that the problem is not as serious as it is. The FAA is concentrating on working with airports to complete the required studies on the risks presented by birds. Most bird strikes occur near airports, but some even occur miles away from airports highlighting the need to reduce the threat of bird strikes away from airports. Some airports are removing shrubbery and other plants that attract birds, while others are aggressively harassing birds and reducing food sources near airports. In one case a Boeing 767 sucked a bald eagle into the right engine just after takeoff from Denver International Airport causing $ 14 million in damage. So keep your eyes open and be ready to react if you encounter birds! Until next time keep your wings straight and level Hersch! JetAviator7 Insisting on perfect safety is for people who don't have the balls to live in the real world. — Mary Shafer, NASA Ames Dryden.
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