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Infinite Imagination

A Nippon Cargo Airlines Boeing 747-800, registration JA11KZ performing freight flight KZ-192 from Chicago O'Hare,IL (USA) to Frankfurt Hahn (Germany), was in the initial climb out of O'Hare's runway 28R when the crew reported they flew through a flock of large birds.

The report listed about 20-25 birds, at about 1500 feet AGL and 4 or 5 birds hit the windscreen and were all over the windscreen. 

The crew indicated that all systems were working normally and they wanted to carry on. The crew was handed off to departure frequency and was cleared to climb to 15,000 feet when the crew indicated they might return to Chicago to have that mess left by the flock of birds looked after. 

After levelling off at 15,000 feet the crew decided to return to Chicago as a precaution to have the aircraft checked, they were not sure about their weather radar. The aircraft returned to Chicago for a safe landing on O'Hare's runway 28C about 25 minutes after departure.

Have a listen to this recording and take note of the immediate action the crew undertook.  Also listen to the language used when communicating their intentions.  Birds are an ongoing issues for many airports and such occurances are common.  Have you ever encountered a bird strike in your professional duties - if so, how did you react?

ATC Recording - Nippon Cargo Boeing 747-8 strikes a flock of large birds at Chicago (Jan 21 2017)

Aviation English Academy (AEA) is an Australian based school that focuses on the teaching, regulation and research of the specialised language that forms Aviation English.

We are a separate school under one of Australia's most innovative learning centres - Pine View College.  Staffed by qualified professionals who have a strong history and interest in the aviation sector, as well as fully experienced ESL teachers, and finally with the technological expertise and infrastructure of our parent school, you can be assured that the training, information and resources provided by AEA will allow you and your organisation to comfortably comply with the international standards for Aviation English.

ATC Recording - Nippon Cargo Boeing 747-8 strikes a flock of large birds at Chicago (Jan 21 2017)

Aviation English Academy

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