WHY DON'T PLANE ENGINES HAVE MESH TO STOP BIRD STRIKES?

Have you ever wondered why aeroplane engines don't have mesh or grates to stop bird strikes?

Bird strikes are one of aeroplane pilots biggest fears during takeoff and landing. Quite possibly the most famous incident of this was US Airways Flight 1549 which, shortly after takeoff, experienced a birdstrike which resulted in the highly experienced pilot having to make an emergency landing in the Hudson River in New York. There's even a movie about it.

But, with such a common and relatively basic problem, why hasn't there been any technology to prevent this completely? Why not put a mesh of some sort over the front of the engines of the aeroplane?

Well, the answer proves to be a lot more technical than that. Aeroplane jet engines need the maximum amount of air to flow through them in order to run as efficiently and effectively as possible. Having something such as a mesh or grate in front of them will prove to be problematic.

However, in modern jet engine technology, such as what has been implemented into the Boeing 777, the systems now are able to auto-calibrate the imbalance in the event that one engine experiences a drastic drop in thrust. Although it doesn't necessarily prevent bird strikes per se, it ensures the aeroplane's safety in the event of a bird strike.

Take a look at the video below by YouTube channel, 74 Gear, on Why Aeroplane Engines Don't Have A Mesh Or Grates To Prevent Bird Strikes.