The Aviators Thread

The tape is called High Speed tape and when applied correctly it becomes a second skin. You can have various thickness HST depending on what you need to do. If the surface is not cleaned properly the tape can lift like on your flight. perfectly normal and no safety issue.

The engine nacelle vortex/strakes look like they were repaired with PRC sealant which is strange but maybe thats just the photo. I have previously seen damage like this and it was caused during maintenance. The core cowling is opened and the LE slats are not locked out. Someone takes a task card to test slat extension and neglects to check clearance first and they kiss. The slat always comes off worse. That is one possibility, there are many other reasons this could have been damaged but 99% sure it was a human and not a flight situation.

The missing paint is no issue. It's either bad prep from the last paint job or the aircraft is facing a significant Mx event like a D check or 12 year check depending on the MPD. I prefer my aircraft looking ratty as it means they have flown thousands of hours without problems. Its the new birds that will kill you or the post Mx ones 🙁

I agree that the pilot did an excellent job.

I also believe that some form of eye and head protection should be worn. Especially if the aircraft being flown has a plexiglass windshield. The potential for a bird strike is ever present.

These pictures from a company aircraft strike in April. The BH 407 was returning to base at 1500 AGL @ 125 kts when a seagull penetrated the pilot side windshield. The bird struck the pilot in the chest and its remains can be seen next to the collective, in both pictures. The pilot and crew did an excellent job of managing the EP and landed safely in a field, next to a church.



Around the time of this event, the following had been sent out from the Chief Pilots Office:

“The decision has been made to revise the Bird Strike- Precautions and Policy, after the recent penetrating bird strikes we’ve experienced, and on the heels of a fatal accident in the industry.

The airspeed / altitude restrictions imposed by the current policy are now active at all times. It is now applicable 365 days / year, around the clock, and goes into effect immediately.

Most helicopters will remain restricted to 115KIAS when at or below 1500’ AGL, the only change is it’s no longer a seasonal / night policy”

Helmets with visors down has always been mandatory.

I can’t see why Glider pilots could not benefit from the additional safety of helmets with visors. It could also double as another surface to mount their cameras

I have almost forgotten what it’s like to fly with just a headset. The only time I break out the Bose is for annual recurrent in the Simulator.



Fly Safe!

@DoctorEvil thanks for asking. Fortunately no injuries were sustained by the pilot or crew. Everything was caught on camera and the crew were later commended for how well they responded to the emergency.