Squatters! They are fowl and in the cowl.

Tis' that time of year...

Use of cowl plugs like these:


Prevents a mess like this:


But doesn't help prevent this:

or it recurring after 48 hours like this:


Due to an open door like this:


So, how do you guys prevent the birds from doing this? Better accommodations for the RV are not available - the RV lives in a bird sanctuary for now.

I have heard some stuff rags up in that lower cowl exit area, but that does not sound like something I would like to do. I have heard I might use chicken wire in that area but I am concerned it might erode surrounding components.

Any suggestions?

Install a cat ??

Mike S said:

Install a cat ??

Click to expand...

I'm sure we have a spare cat but doubt that plan would work for the wife. It is a large community hangar with big openings in 2 walls where doors used to be...

How about some kind of cloth/canvas cover that fits under the cowl, and closes off the lower area??

Imaging something like a canopy cover, but for the bottom of the cowl.

Mike S said:

How about some kind of cloth/canvas cover that fits under the cowl, and closes off the lower area??

Imaging something like a canopy cover, but for the bottom of the cowl.

Click to expand...

I thought about that. In the problem hangar we always use a canopy cover.
Perhaps I should submit this idea to Anti-splat aero.

Edit, I have found the solution. This is exactly what I need:
http://www.vansairforce.net/vetterman/subcowl2.jpg
Now who makes it? Wonder if it creates cooling issues.

FORANE said:

I thought about that. In the problem hangar we always use a canopy cover.
Perhaps I should submit this idea to Anti-splat aero.

Edit, I have found the solution. This is exactly what I need:
http://www.vansairforce.net/vetterman/subcowl2.jpg
Now who makes it? Wonder if it creates cooling issues.

Click to expand...

Go check out vettermans exhaust. At the bottom of the main page is a article where he designed that system. Don't see it for sale though.

Fly often!

I am parked outside. Once between jobs I haven't flown for about a week or so. When I finally got to the airport and started preflight I noticed bird's poop under the airplane. Investigated further and saw some grass still wet sticking out by exhaust.




Opened up the cowling and here we go. Robins started building up but something scared them and they never finished. It was quite rainy those days

Yes, Vlad that lower cowl must look inviting to a bird. I had flown home Friday with a clean cowl and 2 days later on Sunday the hay was back.

What the hay?

Maybe a flexible magnetic sheet might work.
Like this:
http://www.amazon.com/ProMAG-Painta...qid=1460972111&sr=8-5&keywords=magnetic+sheet

Would have to connect a string to the other vent plugs to insure it doesn't get missed on preflight.