Why birds don't crash, lessons for air safety

[Hvr]

Whilst it is a quirky article there may be lessons for airlines.

The future of air safety could lie in the example of Drongo, Nemo and Titan.


Those three humble budgerigars were among 10 – the others sporting names such as Milkyway, Blackhole, Tian and Rama – that took part in a University of Queensland study into mid-air collision avoidance.


Using pairs of budgerigars in a tunnel, the UQ researchers sent them on a collision course, but, over more than 100 tests, a collision never happened.


And the simple reason birds never collided mid-air became patently clear over 102 flights – they always, always, veer right.

Drongo the budgerigar may be model for future air safety

Not sure if there are implications for budgie smugglers. :mrgreen:

 

[DC3]

.... Not sure if there are implications for budgie smugglers. :mrgreen:

Yes, but those budgies would normally be flying blind.

 

[TomVexille]

Isn't that what TCAS is for?

 

[Gold60]

just like the way a lot of people fly these days ??

Yes, but those budgies would normally be flying blind.

 

[mannej]

Isn't that what TCAS is for?

I would guess TCAS is something that could always be improved.

 

[Boca68]

So, that's where the term 'right wing' comes from.


As the poor budgies are unemployed since the end of the study and they always veer right, parhaps they could get a job with Andrew Bolt?

 

[Gold60]

It would make things easier if they were GERMAN budges too!! Ve vill make zem veer to zee right !!!

So, that's where the term 'right wing' comes from.


As the poor budgies are unemployed since the end of the study and they always veer right, parhaps they could get a job with Andrew Bolt?

 

[TomVexille]

I would guess TCAS is something that could always be improved.

I could not possibly disagree with that. Anything that makes aviation safer is good for all of us.

 

[trooper]

Interesting.... does that mean they are all "left handed"..... I ask because I seem to recall reading that the majority of right handed pilots... a vast majority IIRC would turn LEFT in a sudden emergency...:mrgreen:

 

[flychrisfly]

Turning right might be less effective if you are both travelling at right angles to the same point. Turning right will cause one of you to head towards the other, perhaps to end up behind them but still...

 

[Deleted member 9370]

"If both lights you see ahead, starboard wheel and show your red". Maritime rule of the road!

 

[trooper]

LOL! Quite correct... but I must say MY copy of the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collision at Sea (no wonder we call it the Rule of the Road!) phrases it much more dryly than that!!!!

 

[jb747]

Doesn't seem to work so well for them when faced with an aircraft though.

A turn is not a better solution....TCAS commands in the vertical plane for good reason.

 

[marki]

Whilst it is a quirky article there may be lessons for airlines.


Not sure if there are implications for budgie smugglers. :mrgreen:

The nine budgie smugglers in Malaysia? Wearing Australian national costumes with a Malaysian flag!!
They should be tolerant like we are in Western Sydney with dressing up tolerated !! We don't ban the Burka !

As to that Australian Imam on Egyptian tv who got shoe kissed ( pummelled) for being moderate in his views on wearing the veil.

Ahhhh the politics of clothes !!! Sorry way oT