Bird strike incidents at Britain's airports nearly doubled with three ''significant hits'' a week, according to the Civil Aviation Authority

Bird strikes damage three aircraft a week

In both 2011 and 2012 more than 2,200 bird strike reports were recorded by the CAA, nearly 1,000 more than in 2007 when just 1,299 were reported.

The figures include both minor incidents and those in which aircraft sustained some damage.

There has also been a steady rise in the number of cases in which pilots have reported damage to their aircraft, rising from 132 in 2010 to 167 in 2012.

The doubling of all bird strike incidents reflects tougher reporting rules which have come into force in recent years.

According to the CAA there were 300 cases in 2011-12 involving neary every major airport in the country.

In two cases pilots were forced to issue MAYDAY calls.

One involved an Airbus A321 flying out of Luton, which was hit by a flock of birds shortly after take off, forcing the pilot to shut off an engine.

The other saw an Airbus A320 having to return to Heathrow shortly after a bird struck take off after one of its engines shortly after take off.

Other incidents have included a passenger jet declaring an emergency after being hit by greenfinches as it came in to land at Gatwick.

The most spectacular recent bird strike incident took place in New York in 2009 when a US Airways Airbus A320 was forced to ditch into the Hudson River after being hit by a large flock of birds.

A detailed American study of bird strikes revealed that 49 per cent take place shortly before landing or shortly after take-off.

Another quarter occur on the runway itself either after landing or before take-off.

Pilots are obliged to report all bird strikes, whether or not the aircraft has sustained serious damage.

According to the CAA figures Heathrow has recorded the most bird strike incidents, with 20 followed by Gatwick (14), Luton (10) Manchester (seven), London City (seven) and Birmingham (five).

Airports take strenuous measures to discourage flocks of birds congregating including using falcons and loud klaxons.

Recognized as a global aviation problem, airports have become increasingly imaginative in their efforts to keep birds and aircraft apart.

At Fort Myers, Florida, a border collie, called Sky, has been used to scare birds away from the runway.

“Every bird strike has to be reported, even though very few cause damage, ” said Danny Fyne, founder of the Pprune pilots’ website.

“It very much depends on the size of the bird and at what stage of the flight it happens.

“The most problems are during take off, when a plane is going at full speed. A Canada goose will cause problems, while a sparrow won’t.

“Bird strike is a bigger problem where the environment attracts them, such as by water.

“This is why there could be problems putting an airport at the Thames Estuary.”

Source:    http://www.telegraph.co.uk