Came across this today while doing some research. Interesting video of DJI drone completely compromising the leading edge of a regional jet style wing at representative closure speeds.

https://udayton.edu/udri/news/18-09-...in-the-sky.php

Although I get your point, the article never mentions a Transport category aircraft (which a regional jet would be), only a general aviation craft (a Mooney, a four place single engine aircraft). Which is not built to the same standards.

R_Strowe

from the 3rd paragraph of the article:
"The test was intended to compare a bird strike and a drone strike, using a drone similar in weight to many hobby drones and a wing selected to represent a leading edge structure of a commercial transport aircraft,"

now, in my book, not exactly a direct comparison, but it is a place for them to start with data accumulation, and evaluation of practices for testing.

Absolutely. But they should still endeavor to be accurate. The wing of say a CRJ has a polished stainless steel leading edge (for bleed air wing anti-icing), and considerably harder than the aluminum leading edge if the Mooney wing.



This is from a goose that just missed going into the engine. The construction of the engine intake lip is comparable to the wing leafing edge. Just to give an idea of what 1 large bird can do.

And yes, I was the Captain on that flight. Unfortunately geese don't come equipped with nav lights or strobes.

R_Strowe

I’ve had to repair the leading edge ( it’s all leading edge ) of a couple E2C Roto domes after bird strikes. Luckily the damage didn’t get to any load bearing structure. It was simply a matter of cutting out the damaged section after a really nasty clean up and grafting in a new section. Could you imagine a quad impact and having the Lipo ignite in a composite structure?

We have never had RC aircraft hit a airliner and it may never happen but I think keeping RC aircraft away from airports is really where the FAA should put its efforts instead
of 400' limits and RID systems. I have always felt if your model is not conflicting with full scale traffic and only overflying private property and places designated for model
operation they should for the most part be left alone.

And, while I agree with that in general terms, Ira, the issue isn't with conventional model aircraft. The issue is with multirotor drones that are being flown irresponsibly by those that:

1. Don't know what the rules are that they must fly under
2. Don't care what the rules are that they must fly under

I know of at least one confirmed drone strike on a Blackhawk that, if it wasn't for a FOD screen over the engine intake, it would have gone down, in the water, next to one of the major airports in NYC

There was a drone strike on a Beech 1900 at Quebec City several years ago as well.

R_Strowe

Is the only reason to question this report to quibble about degree of danger that colliding with a model drone could cause to ANY full scale plane...?