Carl,
There is a product I have used successfully on the ledges and
railings of buildings and similar structures to keep birds from
alighting there; it is called "Bird Barrier." It comes in long
lengths, and -- kind of like an elongated barbed wire -- has needle-
thin spokes radiating out at intervals. This technology, and a few
more for keeping birds off things, are described at http://
www.birdbarrier.com/
I am thinking that perhaps some lengths of it could be finished at
the ends with elastic/cloth handles or something easy for you to
grip, and draped over the long thinner openings, like where cowl
meets windscreen.
I saw someone at our airport use short pieces of it to keep the birds
from perching on the top edges of his vertical stabilizers, and I'm
thinking about doing the same. I think he may have weighted the ends
or used magnets to hold them in position.
Linda
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4f. Re: Would you like some cheese with that whine?
Posted by: "carl_lavon" [email protected] carl_lavon
Date: Tue Apr 21, 2009 1:40 pm ((PDT))
Thanks for the many suggestions. I actually considered buying the
plugs but it was pointed out by someone else that they would not be
sufficient because the birds would use the rear opening around the
cowling for access or use the nose gear to get in. I've actually
watched birds getting into one of my neighbor's plane's nose gear to
build nests. He has plugs on his aircraft that one would normally
expect to slow them down (his is not an Ercoupe). There is already a
plastic owl hanging near my plane that was put up by the neighbor
whose plane I watched the birds getting into the nose gear. One
suggestion I got from a member was the use of an electronic device
that mice and birds can't tolerate and his recommendation to get one
as he uses it and has had great success with it. I do have electric
available so I could plug one of those in. The airport would not
allow me to use any type of chemical that had a "smell" that other
pilot-renters might find objectionable. Nor would they allow me to
keep a cat on a leash as one board member suggested. I wouldn't do
that anyway since cats have a tendency to revert back to their
natural "wild" state when left to themselves and without constant
human contact.
So, I'm going to find the electronic system and try it and I will
keep the board updated. I will probably also get an owl model of
some type that can be perched on my prop as a back up. Most of all
let me just say thank you to the board for your caring and your
suggestions. It means a great deal to me to have this tool as an
adjunct to all the manuals and paperwork that go with Ercoupe ownership.
Carl LaVon
