Falcons called in to help Arch's title quest

PORTO // The Red Bull Air Race - an exhibition combining precision and technology - has turned to the ancient art of falconry in an attempt to keep seagulls and other small birds away from their planes. A team of nine falcons and hawks have been employed along side air force pilots, divers, firemen and other sentinel crew to keep watch over the aerobatics. "I love it that they are here," said Hannes "Flying Falcon" Arch, "It is a great idea."

Arch, the reigning champion who represents Team Abu Dhabi, said he was well aware of the dangers that came with small, slow-flying birds hitting aircrafts. Arch is lagging behind Paul Bonhomme by one point, and Porto could be the decisive race before the finals next month. Earlier this year, in the second round of the series which was held in San Diego, Arch's silver-grey Edge 540, which was flying at 370 kph was hit by a pelican that briefly knocked him off course and cost him a two-second penalty. The bird strike also left a hole in the rear section of the plane.

"I don't know what happened to that bird. But my plane, after 50 seconds, you could see that there was this big, a really big hole," he said cupping his hands together to reveal a grapefruit sized tear. The birds of prey - with names such as Doncella, Virginia and Hectoriana - are being looked after by Daniel Pinerio Angueira, a falcon expert who said that the falcons and hawks , like the most of the crew , had been in Porto for about a week, letting the seagulls know they mean business.

"It usually takes a month for the seagulls to get the message and change their behaviour," said Angueira. "It doesn't happen in just one day." Heinz Moeller, the director of aviation for the Red Bull Air Race said that they knew from experience that seagulls were an issue in Porto "We are trying out the pre-race bird hunting and hope it will keep the runway are clear. We are basically trying to scramble the seagulls when the planes take off and land. It is an effective method used by lots of airports around the world. The birds, especially the seagulls, should stay away."

Porto, a seaside town in Portugal, just off the Atlantic Ocrean, is the host for the final qualifying round of the Red Bull Air Race before the finals are held in Barcelone next month. Fifteen daredevil pilots compete in an eight-race series. The Red Bull Air Race World Championship takes place across six cities, including Abu Dhabi, which kicked off the championship in April. [e-mail]