Match the words from column a with the words and phrases with similar meaning from column b.

1. to crack

a. to break or make smth. break suddenly into small parts

2. to shatter

b. to take in

3. to damage

c. to break (but not break apart/into pieces)

4. to penetrate

d. animals living in natural habitat

5. to ingest

e. combustion is lost

6. wildlife

f. to terminate

7. to abort

g. a group of birds flying together

8. feathers

h. to make something move in different directions

9. to disperse

i. to enter or move into

10. flame out

j. to cause harm to something

11. flock

k. to meet, usually unexpectedly

12. to encounter

l. light soft things that cover a bird’s body

13. to scare away

m. to frighten away

14. to get sucked (into)

n. a metal covering for an engine

15. to collide with

o. to hit

16. cowl(ing)

p. to get ingested

3. Complete the sentences with the words from the box. Make all necessary changes. Different variants are possible.

1. A bird can _______________ into an engine and cause an engine failure.

2. During the take-off roll, the aircraft _____________ sea gulls and the take-off __________________.

3 . The copilot was killed after a vulture ___________________ the windshield during cruise.

4. The explosion ________________all the windows.

5. At most airports a special bird patrol is used _______________ flocks of birds_________ from the runways.

6. The pilot attempted to return to the airport but ___________________ trees just south of the airport.

7. One engine began to vibrate because it _____________________a big bird.

BIRD HAZARD

A bird collision with aircraft is known as a «bird strike». A bird or a flock of birds that suddenly rises from a runway or surrounding area may collide with incoming or departing aircraft and cause the aircraft to crash or may result in the loss of human life. Modern jet engines have the capability of surviving an ingestion of a bird. The highest risk of the bird strike is during the takeoff and landing, at low altitudes, which is in the vicinity of the airports.

Although most bird strikes do not result in crashes, they may cause expensive structural and mechanical damage of the aircraft (e.g. engine or fuselage).

Bird strikes became a serious hazard with the development and introduction of jet aircraft. The new turbine engines use light-weight mechanical parts which can be easily damaged. Faster speeds mean birds have less time to react to approaching aircraft. A bird strike might cause a cracked windshield, engine failure, hydraulic problems, delays and aircraft control problems. If an aircraft experiences a bird strike a pilot can decide to return to the aerodrome immediately, divert to the alternate or make an emergency landing. A controller has to assist a plane experiencing a bird strike. He has to inform a supervisor, clear a long final if a pilot requests, check the RW or recommend a suitable

aerodrome for emergency landing if it is necessary.

Many airports are often located along migratory routes used by birds. Moreover airports provide birds with food, water and cover. It is very important to reduce bird hazard at an airport that's why special ways and methods are used to frighten birds away.

Bird frightening programs include variable scaring and dispersing measures, such as trained bird dispersal patrol teams which provide immediate protection for the aircraft within the airport perimeter. The patrol teams use special equipment, such as radio-equipped vehicles, shotguns, frightening devices with bird distress calls, ammunition, automatic gas exploders,

racket bombs, automatic traps.

Distress calls are sounds produced by birds under stress.

The calls can be recorded on tape cassettes and played through a loudspeaker located on the patrol vehicle.

Shooting is often less effective because of the small number of birds killed, it is not practical as a method for reducing large numbers of birds.