Hawks attack my DG808s 4 meter glider

[@logmeindangit]

I was hang gliding at Chelan, WA some years back, and about 1500' above the airport over on 97A north of town, a big, territorial redtail hawk hit my fabric wing in the same place as your hawk hit you. Right leading edge from above, about halfway out. The one that hit my wing dug it's talons in, rocked forward in a pivot from its feet, then let go and banked right to come around and repeat. I dove out and went in for a landing, since I was somewhat fatigued from about a 3-4 hour flight, didn't want the bird hassle, and thought I heard a cold beer calling me. I think they choose that area because it is near a bird joint, and a strike there could do more damage than along a straight section of sinew and muscle with no cartilage and flex points. After I landed, I inspected the fabric on my leading edge and saw a one-inch tear, a half-inch tear and a small puncture. I was impressed as I laughed from my beer-in-hand, feet-on-grass recollection of what had happened just a few minutes ago. What a fun day.

[@johnmaciejewski4]

The pilot of the glider gots nerves of steel ! I didn’t see him flinch once 👍

[@Mywheel]

🤣🤣🤣🙈

[@leuenbergemo]

yeah... cause it's an RC plane and the pilot is a barbie ken :-D

[@dravengiles4606]

Thats a prop its a doll

[@andrewnielsen3178]

I often had hawks and eagles come up and look into the cockpit around Tocumwal in Victoria. However none of them attacked in any way. In gliding you are often circling with the birds and they are used as a sign of lift by most glider pilots.

[@Doones51]

That's a big R/C glider. i was a terrible R/C flyer, but one day 2 seagulls were flying together over the field and i was able to swing around and come up behind them and fly off their wing. They were looking back at my plane with puzzlement. i escorted them off the field area. They were pretty cool about it.

[@ns6q333]

Those seagulls probably didn’t want to get in trouble with the FAA

[@mushy64]

A whole new meaning to "feather the prop"

[@tux008]

😂👌👌

[@kf4293]

Oh my gosh, Too funny!

[@biko9824]

Still funny

[@MarianKeller]

I genuinely didn't notice that was an RC-Glider until I read the comments...

[@artiew8718]

Clickbait title, clickbait camera mount

[@stivi739]

Marian Keller and those gforces wouldve blacked out any human

[@MarianKeller]

No, but at least I didn't notice the huge size of the hawk relative to the airplane at first. Well, the beginning made it quite obvious, but in the air, the glider looks quite realistic.

[@Martin210781]

Did you miss the hand thrown launch?

[@einherz]

@@Martin210781 he is giant-glider thrower

[@sc1212able]

Beautiful plane, pretty amazing footage, I just ordered the 4 meter DG 808 from hobby 88, my first venture into large sailplanes, been flying 2 meters, just hope the motor and speed control is enough to get some decent altitude, I'm excited and nervous

[@crosisofborg5524]

His pattern recognition is spot on. He’s going for what would be the head

[@thehandleiwantedwasntavailable]

You were piloting in his airspace without clearance, what did you expect? ;)

[@philipveerman7526]

That is really impressive for Black-shouldered Kites, that are small raptors and not normally overly aggressive. Presumably, you are in Australia, (if so that is what they are) although there are very similar species in other parts of the world.

[@trustenbaker8766]

It amazes me people can fly so high up like that. I get mine that far up or away and eventually I can't tell which way it's pointing. And people who do it with helicopters are just as amazing if not more.

[@_droid]

With experience you learn to intuitively know which way it's pointing based on your control inputs. You don't really need to see it in detail, you only need to see how it's moving. Watch someone like quadmovr here on youtube. He flies acrobatic quads without any orientation marks on them.

[@trustenbaker8766]

I went and watched the video you suggested. Jesus, that thing looks like a tiny little black dot to me lol. I'd never be able to do that.

[@twelvewingproductions7508]

Looked more like it was trying to mate with it... "Hey sexy.. come here often?"

[@antonl1894]

hahahah

[@PTCX]

Aggressive little critters,I give them top marks for persistence.

[@PhotoDave]

Mommas gonna be so proud when I bring this back to the nest

[@SemiFlyingPharmacist]

What a crunchy wings,yum yum yumi :)

[@rone7104]

GIANT BIRDS!!!! That poor girl with the big rack flying must have been terrified :o

[@robertvanhousen1015]

B Horror movie footage

[@VulcanSimulator]

Now that's a bird strike!

[@ronaldbronts4482]

Vulcan Simulator Air Strike: last level for pro’s.

[@Geoffr524]

Normally that ends up being shredded tweet and a failed engine, with an airliner.

[@kurtbremser5130]

They mistook the folded prop for prey in a predator's beak and tried to steal it, IMO.

[@paynej32013]

That's exactly what it looks like. For sure.

[@linecraftman3907]

that's a dick move by the hawk

[@tomcoryell]

You nailed It!

[@craigschray4486]

Turn on that motor.

[@easydoz1]

Put a piece of meat on the front. Then he'll respect you.

[@stephenconger2029]

Hawk like, "Why Doesn't This Damn Noisy Bird Have A Head?"

[@SleeveBlade]

for anyone wondering: it's a white-tailed kite.

[@falcoperegrinus82]

Black-shouldered Kite

[@anjanbhattacharyya8177]

Beautiful video. Glad the raptors decided to leave your horizontal stabilizer alone! We have a slope here in Frankfort Kentucky USA where a few red tailed hawks get curious especially if you fly near their resting area. But most will just circle for a bit and leave. AJ

[@stevelawrie7087]

What a beautiful part of the world this is, those waterways are awesome! Thank you for the video.

[@BadIdeas101]

The bird was just mad you can do loops

[@davidwheatcroft2797]

Yes. He should be looking around all the time. Must be lazy. Excellent video and lovely glider - climbs like crazy! No "washout" it seems. (At high speeds, wing tips bending down because of their reduced angle of attack. Helps roll stability in a stall.) Outstanding all round. Good job!

[@operationscomputer1478]

its a model glider, not full sized. teh 'pilot' is a barbie doll.

[@lavoiecourt]

Beautiful movie! Btw, your "hawk" is a White-tailed Kite.

[@Lily-dt9fp]

I was wondering if anyone would mention that

[@micahmidstar2577]

Lily Addison same

[@micahmidstar2577]

Maybe a black shouldered kite

[@Lily-dt9fp]

@@micahmidstar2577 I thought the same, only because I didn't know what a white-tailed kite was. Turns out the location is near Murray river.

[@micahmidstar2577]

Lily Addison oh because I was watching this on my old computer and it looked more grey

[@Nothinglefttosay]

I don’t think he likes you…! Great respect for his airspace bro… most would power up for the chop..

[@DanielFCutter]

Yes--the pilot is very calm. Almost catatonic. I've heard pilots can get hypnotized by spinning propellers. Maybe a check up is in order before someone gets hurt. Is he still under warranty?

[@SKYHOOK_DRONE_IMAGING]

Ah the hawks just wanted to get on KZbin like everyone else! Lol!

[@TheDragonFlyerAviation]

1:28

[@andrewhirst8403]

TheDragonFlyer Aviation Well, thats one way to get hawk pics!

[@Vegatermik]

Adam, An amazing "eagle" view and you hit the bull`s ...hawk`s, By the way. Please check the wing beams because Andrzej has just lost his DG808 in the air. Why? After crash analysis the wing joiner plugs have been embedded by the manufacturer with almost no resin. It was a hidden affliction for that soarer... don`t worry the RC pilot has survived :-) So, pls keep an eye.

[@ItsMeScareCro]

Hawk be like, "I got your nose". That was some really cool footage. Thanks for sharing.

[@pimuce]

What a fucking birds ? That’s a very beautiful girls that pilots the plane

[@chrisleech1565]

Amazing how short a time it takes for this bold little hawk to make a return attempt. They really do rule their airspace. I am trying to identify it. Any idea people?

[@chrisleech1565]

Osprey nest close by to me on the back lakes north of Lake Ontario Canada. They make a very large nest on the high tension electric transmission tower around here . This bird has a very light under wing and light grey on his/her back. The fully matured has much more grey speckles under the wing. This is driving me nuts trying to ID. Going through the frames in .25 speed with my finger on pause :-)

[@SleeveBlade]

this, my friend, is a member of the elanine kites, depending on the region where this was filmed :). 100% sure this is not an osprey, I have about 12 years of birds-of-prey nerdism and even more general birding experience to back up that statement. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elaninae I have seen mentioned this was made in America, making the white-tailed kite the most probable option.

[@t395delta]

Xaab Xaa plane attacked by kite wouldn't get half the views lol

[@chrisleech1565]

@ Xaab Xaa >> Your input here is invaluable. Gotta love the guys that really know their stuff. I have no experience with Kites of any kind here in Southern Ontario Canada. I was almost sure that it was not a hawk though, but nobody wants to be simply contrary without knowing specifics. So this behavior of trying to steal the food from larger lumbering predator is just wonderful. Once you replay with this in mind it is so obvious. The little bugger is undaunted in spite of the cost to benefit ratio as it goes into the red!

[@philipveerman7526]

@@TheIndyspace Absolutely not an Osprey. Is a Black-shouldered Kite. Need to know where this is filmed to know for sure what species of kite it is.

[@Rando104854]

wow what a really cool video! Glad to see that you didnt turn on your motor to make sure said hawk would chop itself up. Well done Boss. Happy Flying. Ps. lol That Hawk sure was pissed that you were flying in his airspace.

[@SuperSaltydog77]

these birds have amazing courage as they are attacking a "creature" at least 100 times their size.

[@BruceMcHenry]

It's a model glider.

[@soflodoug]

SuperSaltydog77 More like amazing stupidity. Are you a millenial?

[@arnypalmy4317]

Huge courage, birds really do not care how big you are 😂

[@reverseuniverse2559]

Amazing speed to keep up! I wonder if it was trying to kill the glider or attack its own reflection? He must of been proud when you landed thinking he injured you lol

[@DS-kn4bs]

1:44 you're welcome 🤗

[@AndrewNewton]

Great glider and video Adam. Spectacular scenery too.

[@modelaircraft6576]

Thank you for caring for nature, good that you stop the prop from spinning or that hawk would have been hurt. I fly rc too

[@cliffcampbell8827]

This is the most awesome thing I've seen all day.

[@yucannthahvitt251]

I had a hawk come at me 2m hotliner at one point while I was in a shallow climb, I was worried for its safety because of the big prop, which would certainly kill or at least maim it, so I nailed it and climbed vertically as a hotliner is wont to do and the hawk fucked off. I must have mushed around for 20 minutes up there and when I deployed the brakes and came in the hawk was back, took a chunk out of the canopy, guess he wasn't happy about my showoff climb.

[@nickhayley]

I'm regularly getting chased by magpies. Lol. And constantly have to avoid flocks of crazy galahs and rainbow lorries.

[@chlorine08]

their stealth haunting as the shadows emerge in the light, long before the attack, assessing their threat

[@BrightBlueJim]

It looks like the hawk is having trouble with the updraft caused by the leading edge of the wing. He keeps swooping in and gets blown upward.

[@atexs4622]

OMG I thought it was real plane :-)

[@johannesg.4599]

I hope you're okay! Must be very scarry when he comes done to your window.

[@danahan01]

IDK, the glider pilot looks pretty hot!! The hawk might have been just lonely!!

[@TruckTaxiMoveIt]

Clearly invaded what they thought was their airspace

[@edheide7229]

In the Spring and early Summer birds are very protective of their nesting territory. That`s why they attack.

[@MrJohnnyDistortion]

Would an externally mounted siren or horn keep them away? Or drop a few pieces of meat out from a small concealed hatch?

[@SladkaPritomnost]

attacking the head...

[@NotMrSpielberg]

the pilot inside the glider looks like lunch...

[@johnstewart9141]

That hawk better watch he don't get tangled up in the prop... It will be a bad day.....!!!!

[@jandebie5056]

This is not a hawk, but a black-winged kite aka black-shouldered kite Elanus caeruleus, just for your information.

[@Mahseerken]

That's a giant White Tailed Kite or a really small person. I think it is the later.

[@ollssonn]

dast ist bei Berlinersee, oder Nordmeer, oder Balt Meeresküste ?

[@hugoaken2604]

I've been attacked flying a Standard 15 metre Cirrus more than once by an Augur Buzzard who used to live in a tree close to the threshold of our club's grass strip in Kenya - used to object to us coming in to land through his airspace. Downwind checks used to end with an extra L = lookout for the Augur Buzzard ! Before the days of Go-Pros !

[@bestamerica]

' wow that cooool video on the glider right wing... should be falcon or small hawk... try put 2 videocameras on the left wing and rear fin tail... total 3 videocameras on the glider plane

[@thepb7913]

Flying a hang glider years ago at Australia’s Buckland Ridge I had a hawk rake my upper surface.

[@furdfelmer4359]

Might actually be falcons rather than hawks....picky point, I know, but my friends who are serious "falconers", have taught me the difference. The 'attack" method here looks more like that of a falcons style...from above and very quick. Or, a mated pair of hawks chasing off 'interlopers" (the plane), from their territory. Still cool to see up close.

[@rapid13]

Gotta credit the cameraman here, hell of a job.

[@traininggrounds9450]

Smaller birds do this a lot to bigger birds when they fly in their skies. It's like hunting grounds real estate for them and so to them this plane has no permit to fly in those airs. They are keeping the zone safe for their young to grow up.

[@The_Real_Indiana_Joe]

Oh hell! I though this was a real glider. Came here to see the giant bird LoL! You need some gun turrets.

[@Root_T]

kind of looks like its trying to swipe a blade from the prop. My guess is the glider looks like a large bird with a couple fish hanging out of its mouth and the hawk is trying to steal it.

[@Mona8519]

Thx that u dont start the engine! And nice landing!! :)

[@ollssonn]

sehr schoen video, auf Luft ist besser !!!:-) TOP! Segelflugzeug schnell hat hohe! Wie stark Triebwerk?

[@mistarichdontplay4795]

Is this off hwy 22 going into Montevallo!!!! Just wondering

[@davidGrainger]

I have a similar DG800S 4 meter that I want to power. How did you mount the motor? Did you use one of the Hacker mounts to move the motor aft?

[@adam001]

motor firewall cut about 3-4mm in front of canopy and mounted motor to that, motor not moved aft

[@MesFlyST]

Bravo Adam....amazing...thanks alot.

[@EQINOX187]

Just a guess but looks like defensive dive bombing rather than an attack, you where probably flying over the Hawks nesting area

[@panteltje]

Perhaps it is not really attacking, just checking it out. I had a bird check out my drone, flying circles around it. Did not even know birds could fly such circles, very close near the propellers. Normally those birds clear the area if you start flying drone.

[@tragkfshnt]

Probably thinks your glider is as giant prey, or it thinks your glider is another threat on its airspace.

[@alexabadi7458]

At first I thought that it was a full scale glider, then I read 4 meters..... a little small for a full scale glider. I have the 2 meters electric Aspire, I will try with the camera. I posted few airborne videos that I took with my Senior Kadet.

[@muziekvriend]

It is a model airplane, with a doll in there, if you ask me

[@hebdomatical]

How many times does a Deutsch pilot have to take a hitting before reacting.

[@GeirWaterloo]

They sometimes attack full size gliders as well..

[@jamesgoudy9580]

this is really cool, those hawks meant business!

[@user-ld1ys7pv6h]

Too slippery to grab! How high can these gliders reach?? Fascinating video

[@drummernewbie5444]

easily 1000ft depends how good your eye sight is at seeing them at height

[@user-ld1ys7pv6h]

@@drummernewbie5444 Oh nice. I thought there is a cam on board and you wear googles, like a drone or an fpv

[@nancychace8619]

Awesome. Another favorite if mine is an eagle attacking a drone.

[@ParallelComparison]

First I thought it was a drone, then I said to myself, nah probably a real plane with a pilot in it. But the when the thing landed, I face palm.

[@aurelienbesnard6856]

Non one notice it but rear view is juste wonderful with nice colors 👍 Really nice vidéo

[@danman132x]

Holy crap, didn't know this was a glider until I checked the comments! lol

[@DroneFun]

Very nice. The same happened to me with another type of bird. Regretfully I had not a camera onboard.

[@berodi5366]

The pilot has no fear

[@dpeasehead]

I don't like the placement of the camera it gives a distorted view. My glider pilot buddy said that attacking raptors always made eye contact as if they knew it was a toy with a human inside running it. I'm still surprised that the kites aren't intimidated by the size of the glider. It's like attacking a huge pterosaur of some kind. Maybe in the past giant pterosaurs were heckled the same way by smaller ones.

[@chrisleech1565]

Hi Adam Fisher may I inquire what you are using for a wing cam?

[@adam001]

mobious action camera 90 degree lens

[@simplyexisting1125]

It keeps going after the the canopy. Almost as if it was trying to eat the tiny man inside.

[@Skyprince27]

The pilot seems somewhat of a stoic fellow.

[@johnlogan9795]

They don't like the noise in your invading their airspace, LOL

[@davestambaugh7282]

The wing seems to be to hard and slippery for him to get a hold of. Stick and tissue would crumble instantly.

[@ModellbautechnikSalzkammergut]

How much was it??

[@harmknol5841]

Hello , What its dumm from you is to keep on flying because the bird doesnt know what it is and wants to kill it. So its wise to give the plane down with avoiding movings and get it to landing mode

[@TheMandrilman]

awesome video... thanks for this footage , like a loot! :)

[@Georgewrigley]

Great footage. Any claw damage to the nose of the glider or props? They definitely weren’t happy lol. Cheers and thanks for sharing 😊👍✈️

[@adam001]

no damage done at all

[@Georgewrigley]

adam fisher great 👍

[@bthermikhai948]

schöner Flug,ist ja gut gegangen mit dem Vogel.Er wuste ja nicht das das Video öffentl. ist,da hätte er es sich sicher überlegt ins Bild zu fliegen......Hatte auch schon so eine Situation,allerdings schief gegangen.Es war ein Seeadler, war wohl in sein Revier eingedrungen.

[@markorocznik3838]

Would it have been possible simply to outclimb its attach? Your climb rate should easily superseed his abilities. 30 seconds power would seperate you enough to give everybody space.

[@somethingstrange2576]

The birds like hey there's a lil one inch man inside

[@3rdaxis609]

i though its a real glider

[@tosounchannel6771]

beautiful video

[@AirCatAviation]

That’s a lovely glider! I hope they didn’t do any damage.

[@adam001]

no damga at all

[@RWHITT]

It didn't like your pilot! :D Cool video :)

[@nlru]

I recon the bird tries to push away the intruder from her/his territory