Airport uses radar, noise to prevent bird strikes

[Flashback]

Airport uses radar, noise to prevent bird strikes - CNN.com

SEATTLE, Washington (CNN) -- The next time you land safely in Seattle, you may want to thank Steve Osmek.

He's the wildlife biologist whose job is to make sure that birds don't get in the way of airplanes arriving and departing Seattle Tacoma International Airport.

 

[JohnK]

It will be interesting to see if these methods become feasible to operate in airports around the world.

One projectile travels up to 1,200 feet before exploding like a thunderclap. It is intended to ward off high-flying birds like hawks or eagles. Osmek says the pyrotechnics only scare the birds and do not harm them.

"We're not aiming the pyrotechnics right at them," he explains. "We are usually aiming to where we can direct them to a safer place."

I could only laugh at this statement. OK so you are not aiming the pyrotechnics at the birds and do not harm them but what if the birds run into the path of the pyrotechnics? Tough luck?