Fla. airport hopes fake grass will keep birds away

SANFORD, Fla. (AP) — A central Florida airport want to install artificial turf to deter birds from hanging around the planes.

Sanford International Airport officials say birds cause problems for dozens of planes a year. One jet had to make an emergency landing after a bird flew into one of its engines.

In 2012, the Federal Aviation Administration spent more than $100,000 on air cannons to scare away birds. Airport officials tell WFTV (http://bit.ly/1kKmKRr ) that they now want to take a quieter approach.

Officials say artificial turf doesn't retain water or food, so the birds won't want to hang around the airport.

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