Game Composites Introduces GB2 Stormbird For Aerial Firefighting

‘Uncommon’ was specific to dragging through trees.

My mention of tree branches was never meant to be specific. I was representing the risks inherent in any low-level operation, be it firefighting or crop dusting or pipeline patrol or any of the like. Bird strikes are also a common hazard for aircraft that have high utilization at low altitude. So are power lines.

Planes that fly very low “hit stuff” more often than planes that fly high. And those hits tend to be on the leading edges. If I was designing a plane optimized for a low altitude use, I would either give it replaceable leading edges, or I would make them very, very strong. Even so, I would consider making them repairable.