This airplane sustained thousands of dollars worth of damage however and was down for several weeks while the leading edges of the wings on both sides of this airplane were replaced. You can see the blood stained antenna and windshield fairings that told the potentially dangerous story of an impact with our winged friends.
What this airplane did was fly daily through migratory flight paths at fairly low level increasing the potential of an in-flight meeting. Generally private and even commercial pilots fly their entire career with never impacting birds as it should be but there are times when it does happen. In this instance our pilot was shaken but even with the damage to the leading edges of the wings he said it flew and handled normally. That says something for that robust wing under the fuselage and control harmony of the venerable Bonanza.
If you ever encounter a bird strike you will know it. I have had my experience learning to fly in Redding California. Departing Redding Muni on a hot summer day I had just pulled the wheels free of runway 34 in a Cherokee 140 and heard a loud bang. Looking at the instruments everything looked steady and the noise came from under the plane so I continued with the flight. Upon landing we discovered some feather material on an oleo strut. It was bird strike but it was very noticeable.
These things happen in the life and career of a pilot and for those who wish to fly here is a good private pilot course to use.
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I was in the Civil Air Patrol when I was a kid and in that operation we learned a lot, like how to read aircharts, weather charts, and aircraft performance. By the time were old enough the instructors said we would know enough to pass our private pilot exam. Well, our club stopped after a while but I tried to take the exam without studying much and failed the first time. I wish I had this course it would have saved a lot of time and money.
I eventually passed the private exam and went on with my instrument and if I can do it, you can too. You do have to apply yourself and you do have to study but thousands do it every year so if you are a budding pilot itching to dawn your wings, do it now.
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