The Birds!

Maybe your model smells like bird seed :^) GY

We have a number of Red Tailed hawks around our field. They pretty much ignore the planes and just concentrate on lowering the gopher population. (Really neat to watch them dive on an un-suspecting gopher) A couple of years ago, one of our guys was flying his glider, launched from a big trainer. There were two hawks in the area so he thought they probably knew where the good thermals were. He was right, but he made the mistake of getting above and behind them. Later it was explained to us that to a hawk, this is a sign of aggression. Next thing he knew, he had a rather upset hawk putting vent holes in the top of his glider. When he powered it up, they broke off and flew away. I would have had a hard time believing this, if I hadn't been standing there watching it happen.

This happens all the time to me with Barn Swallows. We guessed it was because the swallows think the plane is stirring up bugs. They follow the tractor when it's mowing the grass as well. But yeah it like a ball of birds flying around.

Happened to us last week. Barn swallows flew "formation" with our Zagis. They stayed away from the glow planes, though. Maybe the high pitched sound the props make make 'em think there's bugs around.

I have flown slope combat with a swallow here in So Cal before. Was a hoot! He came out to combat me on 3 separate flights that day. No contest, I didnt have a chance.

I think the birds are laughing at our toys.

Or bird sex?

Probably purple martins. They are fearless of anything in the air, and very territorial little punks. They can be seen chasing hawks, crows, and my models. "Don't disturb the birdies with your noisy models" is an ignorant statement. Even hawks are curious about models, and egrets have been known to follow them in formation.

Bob

I do a lot of float flying in the summer. We have a small rocky island out in the lake were seagulls nest. I found out quite a long time ago that I had better not fly over the island when they are sitting on eggs 'cause they will immediately come up and attack the 'plane. They actually dive bomb it and attempt to drive it off. As soon as I move off a respectable distance, they stop. Not really something I want to collide with in the air. Gord Schindler MAAC6694

Hi Gord,

Not something you even want flying above your model either. :-)

Bob