Cadet research seeks to end costly bird-strikes on aircraft Published Aug. 6, 2014 By Contributed Article UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY -- Back in 2009, Air Force Academy graduate Capt. Sully Sullenberger was forced to land his U.S. Airways jet in the Hudson River - after hitting a flock of geese that caused the engines to fail. In what became known as the "Miracle on the Hudson," no lives were lost in the incident. However, bird strikes annually cost more than $700 million in damage every year to military and commercial aircraft, and routinely put lives and property at risk. But thanks to patent-pending technology developed at the United States Air Force Academy, cadets and faculty members have discovered a way to prevent those costly bird strikes, particularly during take-offs and landings. Led by professors in the Aeronautics Research Center, cadet research focuses on the feasibility of mounting speakers and lights onto airplanes, using noise to frighten the birds away. In an 18-month project, researchers proved that noise and lights are an effective deterrent during ground tests. The team successfully tested speakers in the Academy's aeronautics tunnels, to make sure that faster airplanes can use speakers designed for helicopters. The team also proved that the technology doesn't distract pilots during flight, testing the lights and sound using the Academy's flight simulator. What's next for the technology? Cadets have finished their initial projects, and now the Academy is seeking companies to license the technology and test it on aircraft, said Capt. Jeff Newcamp, an assistant professor of aeronautics at the Academy and the lead faculty member on the project. With a provisional patent nearing completion, Newcamp also says he plans to further investigate the physiological responses of the birds. "Implementation would first occur on commercial aircraft for testing," Newcamp explains, "USAF aircraft would be outfitted last because commercial aircraft stand to benefit more from the technology." Newcamp says the technology requires more testing before airlines could use it for commercial flights.