[Peetwo]

Are we being targeted by ‘the birds’? Does there seem to be an increase in strikes; or am I just ‘droning’ on.

Toot – Shhh – toot.

Follow up -

Via the other Aunty... :

Bird strikes: Two flights from Queensland grounded after impact by birds
By Melanie Vujkovic
Updated Tue at 6:58pmTue 4 Jul 2017, 6:58pm

Video: Bird strike grounds two planes in 24 hours (ABC News)

A Virgin Australia plane bound for Proserpine has become the second Queensland flight in 24 hours to be turned around due to a suspected bird strike.

Virgin Australia confirmed flight VA1117 from Brisbane was struck by a bird on Tuesday afternoon, shortly after take-off.

It comes after an AirAsia X plane made an emergency landing at Brisbane Airport late Monday night, with the airline also blaming a bird strike for damaging the engine.

In a statement, a Virgin Australia spokesperson said the pilot decided to return the plane to Brisbane Airport as a precautionary measure.

"In line with standard operating procedures, the aircraft has been reviewed by engineers," he said.

Video: AirAsia flight lands in Brisbane after bird strike (ABC News)

It is understood the bird did not make contact with the engine, but may have hit the windscreen.

Passengers were placed onto another service and the aircraft has been cleared for service.

The AirAsia X incident happened shortly after the Kuala Lumpur-bound flight took off from the Gold Coast about 10:20pm.

"Two bird remains were found on the runway," the airline said in a statement.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau said it was investigating the AirAsia X plane's engine failure, but was not investigating the landing of the Virgin Australia flight.
A report released by the ATSB in February this year found the level of bird strikes in high capacity operations have increased dramatically in 2014-15.

The largest increases were found in Cairns, Canberra, Darwin Sydney and the Gold Coast.
Strategic Aviation Solutions chairman Neil Hansford, who consults with commercial airlines and airports, said the explanation from AirAsia X was suspicious, especially when airports spend large amounts of money to keep birds away from the air strip.

Many passengers recalled the plane vibrating more than normal before the take-off.

"When it tried to take off, the engine rattled a lot. It rattled more than usual. And I was sitting with Eric and we were like, something's wrong," passenger Calvin Boon said.

Phil Shaw from Avisure, the company contracted to keep birds away from Gold Coast Airport, said remnants of a bird had been found on the runway.

"There [are] remnants found on the runway, from the evidence so far it would suggest it is very likely to be a bird strike of some sort."

Photo: ChooHooi Lim, Mr Boon, Sam Boon, Jack Tan, Jin Kwang Ow Yong (from LtR) were on their way home after competing in a marathon. (ABC News: Melanie Vujkovic)

Dear Minister Chester - TICK..TICK..TICK..TICK...



MTF...P2