Latest news with #aviation
Forbes
an hour ago
- General
- Forbes
A Biologist Spotlights The World's Strongest Bird. Hint: It Can Carry Up To 30 Pounds While Flying
Most birds are known for their speed and agility, not their strength. But there are a few species ... More that have both. Here's the bird that rules the roost when it comes to measuring strength in flight. The world's strongest birds, as measured by how much they can carry, are all flightless. The ostrich, for instance, can carry a human on its back. In fact, there are some farms in Africa where you can ride an ostrich, although the practice is generally discouraged. However, the more interesting question — at least in the eyes of this biologist — is which flight-capable bird is strongest. To be able to fly, you must first be light. This is why flight-capable birds have evolved in a specialized way to reduce their weight. Bird bones, for instance, are hollow and filled with air spaces connected to the respiratory system, which makes them lightweight yet strong. Many birds have fused or reduced bones to minimize weight and improve aerodynamic efficiency. They lack heavy teeth, using lightweight beaks instead, and they often have only one functional ovary to reduce internal mass. Even feathers, which seem delicate, are made of keratin and are engineered for both insulation and lift without adding unnecessary bulk. All of these adaptations work together to reduce weight while maximizing flight capability. The challenge then becomes how to maximize muscle density and efficiency while retaining a light, aerodynamic build. This is a problem that the harpy eagle — which can be found in southern Mexico, Central America and South America — has solved. Here is the story of the harpy eagle and why it earns the title of world's strongest flight-capable bird. The harpy eagle, widely regarded as the strongest flight-capable bird, can lift prey weighing up to ... More 30 pounds — nearly twice its own body weight. The harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja) stands out due to its extraordinary strength. With a wingspan of up to seven feet and weighing between 13 and 20 pounds, the harpy eagle is built for power. What may be most impressive about the harpy eagle is its grip strength. It has talons as large as a grizzly bear's claws and can exert a pressure of over 500 pounds per square inch — strong enough to carry prey weighing up to 30 pounds. That's almost double its own body weight, a feat nearly unmatched in the aerial world. Living in the dense tropical rainforests of Central and South America, the harpy eagle hunts monkeys, sloths, and other medium-sized mammals that few other birds would attempt to target. It perches high in the canopy and swoops down to attack its prey. Despite its size, it can maneuver skillfully through the forest. (Sidebar: The harpy eagle doesn't just hunt monkeys — it's been known to attack humans. Learn more about the first scientifically documented case of an Amazonian harpy eagle attack on a 29-year-old woman.) Unlike soaring birds of prey that rely on long-distance gliding, the harpy eagle relies on brute strength and ambush tactics. A harpy eagle feeds on a rabbit — though it's capable of hunting much larger prey, including monkeys ... More and sloths. The harpy eagle isn't the only bird worth mentioning in the 'strongest flying bird' category. The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) also boasts impressive carrying capacity and flight strength. Weighing up to 14 pounds with a wingspan of about six to eight feet, bald eagles can lift prey weighing about as much as it does. Some videos document instances of bald eagles attacking and carrying small deer. While the bald eagle may not have the sheer strength of a harpy eagle, they are known for their stamina — often carrying heavy fish over long distances. Their talons are designed to pierce and grip slippery prey, and their large wings allow them to soar for hours using thermal currents, conserving energy while still transporting meals. Another contender is the Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo). Though primarily nocturnal and not typically thought of in terms of strength, this owl is one of the largest and heaviest in the world. With a wingspan of nearly six feet and a weight of up to 10 pounds, it can lift prey close to its own body weight. The Eurasian eagle-owl primarily feeds on mammals and birds, including rabbits, foxes, and even other raptors. Its silent flight, thanks to specialized feather structure, gives it the element of surprise, allowing it to overpower animals nearly its own size. Are you an animal lover who owns a pet, perhaps even a pet bird? Take the science-backed Pet Personality Test to know how well you know your little friend.
Asharq Al-Awsat
an hour ago
- General
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Germany: Small Plane Crashes into Terrace of House, 2 Dead
A small plane crashed into the terrace of a residential building in western Germany as it approached an airport on Saturday and two people were killed, police said. The crash happened around midday in Korschenbroich, near the city of Mönchengladbach and not far from the Dutch border, The Associated Press reported. The plane hit the terrace of the building and a fire broke out, causing extensive damage to the house. Police said two people died and one of them was the plane's pilot, a 71-year-old woman, German news agency dpa reported. Investigators were working to identify the second victim. Of the three people registered as living in the building, two weren't there at the time of the crash and later checked in with police. The pilot had taken off from Alkersleben, near the eastern German city of Erfurt, on Saturday morning. She planned to land at the airport in Mönchengladbach, just under 4 kilometers (2 1/2 miles) from the crash site, but reported that she was having technical problems.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- General
- The Sun
Two killed after small plane crashes into terraced house and bursts into flames in Germany
TWO people have died after a plane crash landed into a home and sparked a devastating fire. A 71-year-old woman, believed to be the pilot, and an 84-year-old were confirmed dead after the horror accident this afternoon. 3 3 3 The plane crashed at noon local time in Germany with its cause still unclear. The pilot reported technical problems above Kleinenbroich shortly before the crash. Her final destination is believed to have been Moenchengladbach, which is close to Kleinenbroich. .
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Myrtle Beach aviation company denies wrongdoing in wake of 2022 airplane crash that killed two
FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — A federal jury may decide next year whether a Myrtle Beach-based aviation company is liable for the deaths of two North Carolina men. Court records show that jury selection is slated for March 2 in a wrongful death suit filed in February by the estates of Terry Druffel and Barrie McMurtrie, who were killed in a single-engine plane wreck on Sept. 14, 2022 in a wooded area outside of Conway. The men, both from Ocean Isle Beach, N.C., had extensive backgrounds in flying, according to their obituaries. A National Transportation Safety Bureau report listed a mechanic's failure to install a required gasket on the vacuum pump drive bad as the accident's probable cause — an oversight that led to catastrophic loss in engine power, the agency concluded. The Piper P28R crashed about eight miles north of Myrtle Beach roughly 10 minutes after taking off, flight tracking data shows. It was worked on by Executive Helijet Aviation months earlier, the lawsuit claims. Druffel and McMurtrie's estates are suing for more than $75,000 on grounds of wrongful death and negligence. In its response to the complaint, Executive Helijet denied any liability for the crash. * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CTV News
4 hours ago
- Climate
- CTV News
WATCH: Waterbombers fighting a northern Ont. wildfire
Northern Ontario Watch Amateur video of waterbombers during active aerial suppression operations against the Red Lake 12 fire on May 30, 2025.
