Those flying sharks. Although they look like an innocent and entertaining helium toy, our Kiwi cousins are discovering another truth – they’re savage killers intent on taking down Kiwi aircraft.
While real sharks are contained to the waters, these airborne monstrosities have a strong tendency to escape captivity. And now they’re attacking planes in New Zealand, with one shark getting within 100 metres of a plane 2000 feet in the air, about 5.5 nautical miles south of Christchurch.
According to aviation officials in New Zealand, the shark attack won’t be investigated as they don’t consider the helium based toy a threat to the planes. But just like the Mayor in Jaws who refuses to shut the beach, it’s a decision they’re destined to regret.
InformedGamer
Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 4:47 PMObligatory xkcd repost
http://xkcd.com/585/
LucasF
Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 6:01 PM+ 1
DarthDVD
Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 6:05 PMYour going to need a bigger plane bru.
Sally
Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 6:12 PMIn all the 97 hours I have logged flying as the pilot in command to date, which is over about one and a half years, I have seen 2 party balloons in flight near my plane.
They are not something I would want to get caught up in the prop.
MD
Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 6:24 PMThese balloons are made of tough stuff, though I douby they would affect a Prop plane, that would cut them (balloon) to shreds…..
Even a Turbo fan, the balloon would likely be shredded by the fan and the bits would be flung out the bypass And if some bits did get through the high stage compressor, they would be fairly small, and would most likely go straight through the combustor etc…..
So, really these flying monsters would hardly take out a plane…..
It would still be more effective banning Pelicans and Seagulls from around airports.. (They Never Listen)
Steve
Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 9:42 PMlooks like you got a dud or stuffed up the building process as the tail of the shark is the propulsion system and is alot more effective that what your video shows. Mine can get some decent speed up across a small room.