I had a run-in with a bird yesterday while flying my drone. It felt like a scene from Top Gun. Anyone have any tips on how to stay safe from birds while flying?
Go straight up.
Haru said:
Go straight up.
This works! Birds are great hunters but they can’t go straight up like we can. I’ve been attacked 11 times and had 3 close calls. Going vertical is the best way to escape. Also, try having someone watching your back. They love attacking from behind or out of the sun.
I usually just climb higher until they get bored and leave me alone.
For a more aggressive approach, the USAF recommends using the AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-260 JATM, or AIM-7 Sparrow.
Zayne said:
For a more aggressive approach, the USAF recommends using the AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-260 JATM, or AIM-7 Sparrow.
Thanks for the suggestion, but I tried using the AIM-9, but the bird didn’t have any heat signature. Ended up hitting a civilian plane by mistake.
Zayne said:
For a more aggressive approach, the USAF recommends using the AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-260 JATM, or AIM-7 Sparrow.
The AIM-7 Sparrow won’t work well for birds like hawks or eagles. You should try something else instead.
@Finch
I’d stick with the AIM-9. It has a short range and works well on warm targets.
Blaze said:
@Finch
I’d stick with the AIM-9. It has a short range and works well on warm targets.
The AIM-9 is tricky to use. It can only lock on targets within 90 degrees of your movement.
@Finch
Okay, this isn’t a flight simulator forum, calm down.
Zayne said:
For a more aggressive approach, the USAF recommends using the AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-260 JATM, or AIM-7 Sparrow.
If you really want a solution, try using the old AIR-2 Genie, though it’s been decommissioned.
Zayne said:
For a more aggressive approach, the USAF recommends using the AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-260 JATM, or AIM-7 Sparrow.
Quick question though: could an AMRAAM lock onto a bird’s radar signature?
@Ashton
It might depend on the size and type of bird, but I’d be more concerned about how many G’s the missile would pull in such tight spaces.
Zayne said:
@Ashton
It might depend on the size and type of bird, but I’d be more concerned about how many G’s the missile would pull in such tight spaces.
Sounds like a War Thunder player to me.
@Ashton
Guilty as charged. I mostly play ground forces though and don’t plan on leaking classified info.
Zayne said:
@Ashton
Guilty as charged. I mostly play ground forces though and don’t plan on leaking classified info.
Only a War Thunder player would talk about missile G-forces. But hey, if you enjoy it, spending some cash on Gaijin isn’t a bad thing. Although, they’ve not been treating their players too well recently.
Zayne said:
For a more aggressive approach, the USAF recommends using the AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-260 JATM, or AIM-7 Sparrow.
A good approach would be having an F-22 escort with a full air-to-air setup.
Max power straight up. Birds don’t like wasting their energy chasing something that’s climbing fast. But if you’re near their nest or babies, they might keep harassing you until you leave. Once, I was flying by a lake and a gull came straight at me. It was close enough for me to see its eyes. Birds are more agile when diving, so just go up.
Try practicing a Split S maneuver or an Immelmann. Always dive at them with the sun behind you. Use short, controlled bursts.
You’ll need to take the fight to the vertical. If the bird raises its nose to take a shot, it’s using up energy, making it easier for you to engage from above.