| Two famous experiments were done several | | | | seem they were experiencing similar problems |
| decades agoto test the strength of windshields | | | | when trains and geese were having unfortunate |
| used for aircraft andtrain engines. The first was | | | | meetings at windshield level. After reading about |
| handles by Engineers at amajor aerospace | | | | the success, the Engineers working on the train |
| company. They were tasked to documentthe | | | | study contacted the plane Engineers seeking the |
| effects of birds hitting the windshields of aircraft | | | | test specifications. |
| ontake-off and landing. | | | | Test after test failed, yet the Engineers at the |
| The study was in answer to acontinuing problem | | | | locomotive company persevered trying to find |
| of birds near airstrips including acouple where | | | | the right glass and angle for their windshields. |
| geese had caused the windshields for failleaving a | | | | Windshield after windshield shattered until the |
| feathery sight problem for the stunned pilots. | | | | Engineers determined it necessary to seek more |
| The Engineers designed and built a powerful gun | | | | help from the plane Engineers. |
| allowing them to shoot dead chickens at the | | | | After reviewing what the train Engineers had |
| windshields. The simulations were extremely | | | | done the plane Engineers quickly knew what had |
| effective in developing the right windshield at the | | | | gone wrong. They sent a message to the train |
| right angles to protect the cockpit crew and | | | | engineers a four-word message that lead to the |
| stability of the airplanes. | | | | ultimate success in just a couple of days. |
| Several industry publications reported the success | | | | The message: "Thaw chickens before firing." |
| much to the delight of some Engineers working | | | | Life Lesson: Before copying another's procedure, |
| on a similar project for a train manufacturer. It | | | | get all the facts. |