Bug Smashing

More likely it's the 10,000 cars, trucks and busses that are just in front
of you on the highway that "cleaned out" all the bugs before you got there.

.... or is it because there are fewer bugs these days? I remember car
windshields getting so covered with bug splats that you had to clean
them several times a day. That was 50 years ago. Doesn't seem to
happen today.

For that matter, I remember seeing huge flocks of birds as well. Don't
see many these days.

David Johnson

On Dec 9, 12:59 am, Dave wrote:
More likely it's the 10,000 cars, trucks and busses that are just in front
of you on the highway that "cleaned out" all the bugs before you got there.

... or is it because there are fewer bugs these days? I remember car
windshields getting so covered with bug splats that you had to clean
them several times a day. That was 50 years ago. Doesn't seem to
happen today.

For that matter, I remember seeing huge flocks of birds as well. Don't
see many these days.

The birds all starved because there were no bugs to eat:-}

I don't see a lot of bugs in town or on the main highways, but anyhing
more rural brings out a flock of them.

There was a story in "Air and Space" magazine about a plane fitted
with an optical glass bubble for air to air movie work. They covered
the glass with paper to protect it from bugs on takeoff, then tore off
the paper at altitude before they started filming.

John Halpenny

"Dallas" wrote in message
...

Can anyone explain bug smashing?

I can drive my car around for a month, often at 80 mph on the freeways and
maybe get two or three bugs on the windshield.

Yet an airplane has every leading edge covered in layer of dried bug in a
matter of days.

Wouldn't you think there wouldn't be any bugs up there at 3,000+ feet. If
they are up there, why are they there? All the food is down here on the
surface.



Come on Dallas, that's an easy one. The bugs know where the roads are and
avoid us. In the air we have the advantage of stealth!! They have no idea
where to expect us, and can't possibly out run us!!!! AAAHHHHHH HA HA HA
HA HA HA HA!!!!

No, actually I think it's because we probably just wash our cars a lot more
often than our rental planes. Ever looked at the belly?

This is so obvious. Bugs take off and land, don't they? Where should
they take off and land? You don't take off and land on roads, do you?




On Dec 7, 6:25 pm, "Maxwell" wrote:
"Dallas" wrote in message

...



Can anyone explain bug smashing?

I can drive my car around for a month, often at 80 mph on the freeways and
maybe get two or three bugs on the windshield.

Yet an airplane has every leading edge covered in layer of dried bug in a
matter of days.

Wouldn't you think there wouldn't be any bugs up there at 3,000+ feet. If
they are up there, why are they there? All the food is down here on the
surface.

Come on Dallas, that's an easy one. The bugs know where the roads are and
avoid us. In the air we have the advantage of stealth!! They have no idea
where to expect us, and can't possibly out run us!!!! AAAHHHHHH HA HA HA
HA HA HA HA!!!!

No, actually I think it's because we probably just wash our cars a lot more
often than our rental planes. Ever looked at the belly?

On Fri, 7 Dec 2007 15:42:16 -0600, Dallas
wrote:


Can anyone explain bug smashing?

I can drive my car around for a month, often at 80 mph on the freeways and
maybe get two or three bugs on the windshield.

Yet an airplane has every leading edge covered in layer of dried bug in a
matter of days.

Wouldn't you think there wouldn't be any bugs up there at 3,000+ feet. If
they are up there, why are they there? All the food is down here on the
surface.



Now...C'mon..didnt your CFI teach you that bugs congregate at the
intersection of the 3degree glideslope and the inner marker...even if
there is no instrument approach?

Yeesh...everybody knows dat...
Don Byrer KJ5KB
Radar Tech & Smilin' Commercial Pilot Guy
Glider & CFI wannabe
kj5kb-at-hotmail.com

"I have slipped the surly bonds of earth; now if I can just land without bending the gear..."
"Watch out for those doves...smack-smack-smack-smack..."

On Fri, 7 Dec 2007 15:42:16 -0600, Dallas
wrote:


Can anyone explain bug smashing?

I can drive my car around for a month, often at 80 mph on the freeways and
maybe get two or three bugs on the windshield.

Yet an airplane has every leading edge covered in layer of dried bug in a
matter of days.


If you're flying a Fly Baby like me, don't forget to check the trailing edges,
too! :-)

Ron Wanttaja

Dallas wrote:

Yet an airplane has every leading edge covered in layer of dried bug in a
matter of days.

Nope, not if you wipe the leading edges off after every flight :-) Ok,
sure, heading to OSH, I don't do so...but once I'm there, a few minutes
with a damp rag and no more bugs.


--
Jack Allison
PP-ASEL-Instrument Airplane
Student - CP-ASEL
Chief Bug-wiper-offer after flying our Arrow

"To become a Jedi knight, you must master a single force. To become
a private pilot you must strive to master four of them"
- Rod Machado

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