Bird Strikes: Lessons, Tools, and Survival Strategies

In this episode of the VSL Aviation Podcast, host Seth Lake shares a live seminar from the North Little Rock Airport on the realities of bird and wildlife strikes. Drawing from Arkansas accident cases, military and airline experience, and FAA safety resources, Seth explores the history of bird strikes, why Arkansas sees higher numbers than average, and what pilots can do to prepare. Topics include risk tools like BAM and AHAS, mental rehearsal for worst-case scenarios, practical recovery steps after a strike, and the importance of reporting. Whether you fly GA or professionally, this episode gives you insights and strategies to handle one of aviation's most unpredictable hazards. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Bird Strikes 01:24 Understanding Bird Strike Statistics 03:44 Case Studies of Bird Strikes 05:51 Analyzing a Fatal Helicopter Accident 10:25 Bird Avoidance Models and Tools 12:23 Avian Hazard Advisory System Explained 18:09 Reporting Bird Strikes and Their Impact 23:21 The Importance of Studying Bird Strikes 23:50 Mental Preparedness for Emergencies 26:41 Understanding Bird Strikes and Their Implications 29:58 Engine Failures and Bird Strikes 33:59 Controllability Checks After Bird Strikes 37:37 Wildlife Hazards Beyond Birds 41:54 Reporting and Mitigating Bird Strikes