Re:for the real men (no rings on the flightline) (Score 1)

Thanks for setting the record straight. And to continue; I used to work for Pratt & Whitney Aircraft - one of the world's largest jet engine manufacturers. WRT birdstrike: yes, the engines are tested by firing (dead, unfrozen) birds at them with a special cannon. Sometimes chickens, but most often geese. Seagulls and geese cause the most birdstrikes. Seagulls generally cuase little to no damage. Geese sometimes cause horrific damage - not just because they are bigger, but because the have a bad habit of flying around with half-a-pound of lead shot in them. Avian bones are hollow and don't put up much resistance to turbine blades. Little balls of lead OTOH...