Read the text and discuss the questions.

Wildlife Strike Birds and animals are a serious hazard to aviation. A bird, flock of birds and animals that suddenly rises from a runway or surrounding area may collide with incoming or departing aircraft and cause the aircraft to crash, possibly resulting in the loss of human life. Bird collision with aircraft is commonly known as “bird strike.” Damage caused to aircraft usually results from collision of one or more birds with the engines and / or fuselage. Although most bird strikes do not result in crashes, they do involve expensive structural and mechanical damage to aircraft. Most accidents occur when the bird hits the windscreen or is ingested into the engines. The majority of bird collisions occur near or on airports during take-off, landing and associated phases. The point of impact is usually any forward-facing edge of the aircraft such as a wing leading edge, nosecone, jet engine cowling or engine inlet. Engine ingestion is extremely serious due to the rotation speed of the engine fan and engine design. Jet engines are particularly vulnerable during the take-off phase when the engine is turning at a very high speed and the plane is at low altitude where birds are more commonly found. At high altitudes bird strike can cause decompression and injuries among the crew. Birds that can collide with aircraftinclude sparrow, blackbird, dove / pigeon, gull, goose (geese), kite, pelican, water fowl, swan, crow, starling and other birds. Animalsthat can collide with aircraftinclude cats, dogs, squirrels, rabbits, rodents, goats, foxes, baboons, hyenas, coyotes and other wild animals.     1. What does the term “bird strike” mean? 2. What is more dangerous: one bird or a flock of birds? Why? 3. Does the size of the bird influence the severity of damages? How? 4. Why is jet engine ingestion dangerous for safety of flight? 5. What can bird strike cause at high altitudes? 6. What other damage can bird strike cause to an aircraft? 7. What is done at airports to reduce the wildlife strikes?

(http://www.birdcontrol.it/images/ random/foto/imagespic13h.jpg) (http://www.birdcontrol.it/images/ random/foto/bs5.jpg) (http://www.birdcontrol.it/images/ random/foto/bs31x.jpg) (http://www.birdcontrol.it/images/ random/foto/bs41.jpg)   (http://www.birdcontrol.it/images/ random/foto/bs49.jpg) (http://www.birdcontrol.it/images/ random/foto/bs33.jpg) (http://www.birdcontrol.it/images/ random/foto/bs31.jpg) (http://www.birdcontrol.it/images/ random/foto/bs22x.jpg)

24. Scan the text to get more information how to reduce the risk of bird strike. Discuss advantages and disadvantages of the methods described in the text. Have you learned anything new from the text? How does Aviation Bird-Animal Chaser operate? Exchange