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Steering birds clear of planes

By Janice Wood · June 15, 2010 ·

The “Miracle on the Hudson,” when Capt. Chesley Sullenberger famously ditched his US Airways airliner into the Hudson River after multiple bird strikes, has resulted in a number of safety recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board, including research on the use of pulsating lights to deter birds. For Scott Philiben, vice president of Bend, Ore.-based Precise Flight, the recommendation was tantamount to his own “Miracle on the Hudson.”

According to a recent Associated Press story, Philiben has been spearheading Precise Flight’s efforts to have its pulsating-light technology — originally designed for enhanced aviation visibility — accepted as a viable, onboard bird-strike deterrent. The story quotes Philben:

“I was thrilled to death. This was probably the crowning point of my career in improving aviation safety. It’s a glowing recommendation for the effort we’ve placed in this technology, and it makes a significant impact on improving safety for the flying public.”

Read the full story here.

About Janice Wood

Janice Wood is editor of General Aviation News.

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