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From page 83...
... Activities for General Aviation Airport Managers Concerned About Hazardous Wildlife Problems P A R T 2 Part 2 is intended for GA airport managers who must develop programs to control hazardous wildlife at their airports. It covers the following topics: • Measuring the threat (Chapter 4)
From page 84...
... Introduction Experts within the U.S. civil and military aviation communities recognize that the threat to aviation safety (as well as the resulting economic repercussions)
From page 85...
... Most research to address this problem has been directed at the commercial sector. Little if any effort has been made to analyze, evaluate, and measure wildlife strike problems encountered at GA airports and by non-air-carrier (i.e., GA)
From page 86...
... Ranking Wildlife Species Hazardous to General Aviation Aircraft GA airport managers have limited resources (time, money, and personnel) to manage problems at the airport.
From page 87...
... • The number of strikes having a negative effect on the flight, • The amount of aircraft down time for each incident, • The direct damage cost for each incident, and • The total secondary cost for each incident. The results are presented in Table 4.1.
From page 88...
... Measuring the Threat 91 Species or Species Group Sum of All Rankings Relative Hazard Rankings Deer 18 100 Gulls/Terns 19 95 Geese 26 69 Ducks 32 56 Raptors 37 49 Vultures 41 44 Doves 48 38 Canines 50 36 Herons/Egrets/Cranes 52 35 Blackbirds/Starlings 55 33 Pelicans/Cormorants 67 27 Owls 71 25 Crows 78 23 Gallinaceous 82 22 Shorebirds 83 22 Thrushes 83 22 Laysan Albatross 94 19 Sparrow-like 100 18 Foxes/Raccoons 102 18 Meadowlarks 104 17 Swallows 110 16 Perching birds 114 16 Rodents/Lagomorphs 117 15 Bats 127 14 Table 4.1. Relative hazard ranking for wildlife species involved in 10 or more strikes with GA aircraft, January 1, 1990, to October 31, 2008, in the United States.
From page 89...
... There has not been the same significant increase in the number of strikes reported from GA airports as there has been overall for U.S. civil aviation.
From page 90...
... involved strikes occurring at identified U.S. GA airports and involved fixed-wing aircraft having one or two engines and weighing less than 59,525 lbs (27,000 kg)
From page 91...
... 94 Guidebook for Addressing Aircraft/Wildlife Hazards at General Aviation Airports On approach to an eastern U.S. airport, this CRJ with 35 people on board sustained a goose strike to the radome, at 250 knots.
From page 92...
... Assuming (1) all 1,874 reported wildlife strikes that had an adverse effect on the aircraft and/or flight caused similar amounts of downtime and/or monetary losses, and (2)
From page 93...
... These legal accusations against airport owners or operators range from negligence to breach of duty (due diligence)
From page 94...
... Introduction It is recognized that GA airports are not subject to 14 CFR 139. However, no matter the size of a GA airport -- small or large -- it is important to follow the recommended best management practice when dealing with wildlife problems; Part 139 is the nationally and internationally recognized standard.
From page 95...
... fulness due to the size of individual airports. As used here, "wildlife hazard survey" and "wildlife hazard assessment" should be considered synonymous and may be used interchangeably.
From page 96...
... tion; and Assurance 21, Compatible Land Use have a direct impact on an airport's wildlife hazard control program. The FAA has added several Advisory Circulars to the Grant Assurances.
From page 97...
... 100 Guidebook for Addressing Aircraft/Wildlife Hazards at General Aviation Airports A light aircraft lands next to an airport retention pond (left) that attracts water birds such as the anhinga (right)
From page 98...
... Duration of Wildlife Hazard Assessment and Basic Survey Techniques Conducting a WHA requires the "identification of the wildlife species observed and their numbers, locations, local movements, and daily and seasonal occurrences" (14 CFR 139.337 (c)
From page 99...
... AOA. (Ten to 20 survey points are generally recommended, depending on the size of the airport.)
From page 100...
... marks, plan budgetary needs, and help justify requests for additional funding. Also, having a WHMP in place would help defend against legal action should a damaging strike occur.
From page 101...
... Necessary Elements of a Wildlife Hazard Management Plan The goal of an airport's WHMP is to minimize the risk to aviation safety, airport structures or equipment, or human health posed by populations of hazardous wildlife at and around the airport. The WHMP must accomplish the following: • Identify personnel responsible for implementing each phase of the plan, • Identify and provide information on attractants for hazardous wildlife at or near the airport, • Identify appropriate wildlife management techniques to minimize the wildlife hazard, • Prioritize appropriate management measures, • Recommend necessary equipment and supplies, • Identify training requirements for the airport personnel who will implement the WHMP, and • Identify when and how the plan will be reviewed and updated.
From page 102...
... Developing a Wildlife Control Program at General Aviation Airports 105 14 CFR 139.337 Comments 14 CFR 139.337 (f)
From page 103...
... 106 Guidebook for Addressing Aircraft/Wildlife Hazards at General Aviation Airports 14 CFR 139.337 Comments 14 CFR 139.337 (f)
From page 104...
... Developing a Wildlife Control Program at General Aviation Airports 107 14 CFR 139.337 Comments 14 CFR 139.337 (f)
From page 105...
... 108 Guidebook for Addressing Aircraft/Wildlife Hazards at General Aviation Airports 14 CFR 139.337 Comments 14 CFR 139.337 (f)
From page 106...
... Portable Equipment Portable equipment used by airport personnel at the airport offers the best control, provided the personnel involved are properly trained and motivated. Wildlife perceive pyrotechnics or vehicle-mounted distress call generators as direct threats.
From page 107...
... Static Devices Static wildlife scaring devices, such as gas cannons or other sound generators, lose their effectiveness quickly. Some of the more sophisticated devices that produce various sounds in random or preprogrammed order can delay habituation.
From page 108...
... Wildlife Strike Reporting All wildlife management programs must be monitored to see if they are working effectively and whether they need to be adjusted, extended, or improved. The only effective way to do this is by collating wildlife strike data for the airport concerned.
From page 109...
... 112 C H A P T E R 6 Introduction The following material is presented with the largest, busiest GA airports in mind. These airports often face many of the same hazardous wildlife problems as certificated airports.
From page 110...
... Evaluating Wildlife Hazard Management Programs at General Aviation Airports 113 a WHMP is in place, develop a process to evaluate the program at least annually. This chapter outlines a means of conducting such evaluations.
From page 111...
... 114 Guidebook for Addressing Aircraft/Wildlife Hazards at General Aviation Airports are encouraged to copy any of the tables or forms in this guidebook and adapt the forms for their particular airports and needs. The use of a standardized form or recording format, such as that presented in Table 6.1, is strongly recommended.
From page 112...
... potential hazard at an airport or evaluate the effectiveness of a control program. Record each strike event electronically at http://wildlife-mitigation.tc.faa.gov or on FAA Form 5200-7, Bird/Other Wildlife Strike Report (see Appendix F)
From page 113...
... Records of Significant Management Actions Taken In addition to maintaining a daily log of wildlife control activities and wildlife strikes, it is important to keep records of other preventative management actions that may not be part of the daily routine of wildlife control. Examples of such actions could be installing or repairing fencing, thinning trees, clearing construction debris, applying pesticides or repellents, conducting grass height management, installing netting in hangars or wires over ponds, and regrading pavement or grass areas to eliminate standing water.
From page 114...
... Training Maintain and annually summarize a record of all training that wildlife control personnel have received. Include attendance at conferences, courses, and workshops (for example, firearms safety)
From page 115...
... category 5 (off-airport attractants) , the elements are scored on a scale of 0 (not present)
From page 116...
... specialized knowledge, interest, or concerns. Typically, someone from airport management chairs the AWHWG.
From page 117...
... activities and wildlife strikes. The use of standardized formats for keeping these records, such as those presented in Tables 6.1 to 6.3, permits easy compilation of events and activities into monthly and annual statistical and narrative summaries.
From page 118...
... Evaluating Wildlife Hazard Management Programs at General Aviation Airports 121 Airport: Month: Year: Control Activity1 This Month Same Month Last Year Comments (List wildlife dispersed or removed by species and method.)
From page 119...
... 122 Guidebook for Addressing Aircraft/Wildlife Hazards at General Aviation Airports Airport: Year: Number of: Month Pyrotechnics Fired Times Distress Calls Deployed Runway Sweeps to Clear Birds Wildlife Dispersed Wildlife Removed1 Miles Driven by Wildlife Patrol Reported Strikes2 Reported Strikes with Damage Carcasses Found (No Strike Reported) 2 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total 1 Provide separate list by species and method.
From page 120...
... Introduction The management of wildlife is a complex endeavor that often attracts public interest. Once an assessment of hazards has been completed and a wildlife hazard control program has been developed, the program must be implemented by well-trained and knowledgeable individuals if it is to be successful in reducing wildlife strikes and to be accepted by the public.
From page 121...
... Depending on the size of an airport and the level of wildlife hazard, the wildlife hazard control program may be implemented by a single airport employee undertaking wildlife control activities on an occasional "as needed" basis or by a full-time wildlife biologist with a staff of operations personnel providing continuous bird patrols. Many of the smaller GA airports fall into the first category, while some of the larger GA airports may fall into the latter.
From page 122...
... such as laughing gulls, European starlings, and black-bellied plovers, have different summer and winter plumage patterns and bill colors. In other species, such as northern harriers and redwinged blackbirds, males and females appear quite different.
From page 123...
... examination of skull remains in pellets (boluses) regurgitated by hawks and owls.
From page 124...
... Wildlife Hazard Management Training for General Aviation Airport Personnel 127 Grass areas at airports often contain several species of small mammals that are an attractive food for hawks, owls, herons, and egrets. Vagrant shrews, deer mice, gray-tailed voles, and Townsend's voles (left to right)
From page 125...
... for most birds in North America. Chapter 1 contains several fact sheets covering control options, legal statuses, and basic life histories for some of the most hazardous birds and mammal species.
From page 126...
... target species be allowed to use firearms on airport grounds. Skill, experience, and the proper equipment are needed to be safe and to maximize the effectiveness of a shooting program, whether it is to remove specific problem animals or to kill one or more individuals to reinforce repellent techniques.
From page 127...
... Recordkeeping and Strike Reporting A key component of a wildlife hazard control program is developing a system to (1) document the daily activities of WCP, (2)
From page 128...
... tion on annual meetings as well as information on various aspects of wildlife hazard management for airports can be found at BSC–USA's website, www.birdstrike.org. Hunter Safety and Firearms Courses Require airport personnel who will be using firearms to complete a hunter safety or firearms safety course.
From page 129...
... bird counts and spring migration counts, is an excellent means of building bird identification skills and developing contacts with local wildlife experts. Wildlife Hazard Management Library Establish a designated location for references such as wildlife field guides, videos, posters, and other training and educational materials.
From page 130...
... Introduction Wildlife management is a complex mixture of science, experience, and art, regulated and implemented by various federal, state, and local governmental agencies. Overlapping federal, state, and local regulations enforced by the various governmental organizations protect wildlife and associated wildlife habitat.
From page 131...
... There are two programs within the Office of the Associate Administrator for Airports that have a direct impact on wildlife hazard control at general aviation airports: (1) Airport Planning and Programs and (2)
From page 132...
... Government Agencies and Regulations Impacting Wildlife Hazard Control at General Aviation Airports 135 In a vain attempt to keep birds off his aircraft, the owner has installed a plastic owl on the propeller. Such static devices are not effective.
From page 133...
... AC 150/5200-33, Hazardous Wildlife Attractants on or near Airports. This AC provides guidance on locating certain land uses having the potential to attract hazardous wildlife to the vicinity of public-use airports.
From page 134...
... CertAlert No.
From page 135...
... GA airports may need to contact the USACE when planning projects such as runway expansion or draining of wetlands to reduce waterfowl habitat. Some of these projects requiring permits may also require mitigation of impacted resources.
From page 136...
... This has direct application to GA airport personnel wanting to use pesticides to help manage hazardous wildlife at the airport. Before airport personnel may apply pesticides to control, for example, field mice, woodchucks, or insects, they or their direct supervisor must be a certified applicator (see state EPA section below)
From page 137...
... Wildlife Refuge System, enforces federal wildlife laws, and conducts biological reviews of the environmental impacts of development projects.
From page 138...
... Title 50 CFR Parts 1 to 199. These regulations govern the management of federally protected wildlife within the United States and its territories based on the authority established in the MBTA.
From page 139...
... Depredation Permitting Requirements and Procedures Persons wishing to take migratory birds, nests, or eggs as part of a GA airport wildlife management program must first secure a depredation permit from the U.S.
From page 140...
... "A federal permit shall not be required to control yellow-headed, red-winged, rusty and Brewer's blackbird, cowbirds, all grackles, crows, and magpies, when found committing or about to commit depredation upon ornamental or shade trees, agricultural crops, livestock, or wildlife, or when concentrated in such numbers and manner as to constitute a health hazard or other nuisance .
From page 141...
... Persons wishing to take any other migratory birds, or to take migratory birds in situations other than those described above, must first secure a federal migratory bird depredation permit from the U.S. FWS, and in some cases a state depredation permit.
From page 142...
... Pesticide Registration Before a pesticide may be sold or used, it must be registered with the U.S. EPA and with the respective state's pesticide regulatory agency.
From page 143...
... Included in this regulation is the need to address wildlife hazard issues, conduct wildlife hazard evaluations, and develop wildlife hazard control plans. Each public-use airport operator should take immediate action to correct wildlife hazards whenever they are detected.
From page 144...
... Government Agencies and Regulations Impacting Wildlife Hazard Control at General Aviation Airports 147 Do not allow airport or FBO employees to feed feral cats or dogs. The pet food attracts rats and other small mammals, which in turn attract predatory birds.
From page 145...
... developing WHMPs, where practical and affordable, GA airport managers are encouraged to use the services of a qualified airport wildlife biologist. There are many competent and qualified airport wildlife biologists working in the private sector.
From page 146...
... AAir carrier aircraft. An aircraft that is being operated by an air carrier and is categorized as either a large air carrier aircraft if designed for at least 31 passenger seats or a small air carrier aircraft if designed for more than nine passenger seats but less than 31 passenger seats, as determined by the aircraft type certificate issued by a competent civil aviation authority (14 CFR 139.5)
From page 147...
... Cover. Vegetation over a ground surface serving as shelter for wildlife that are roosting, resting, nesting, or feeding.
From page 148...
... Glossary 151 L Loafing. Wildlife that are "loafing" are simply killing time, just hanging around until it is time to look for food or a place to roost.
From page 149...
... Putrescible waste. Solid waste that contains organic matter capable of being decomposed by micro-organisms and of such a character and proportion as to be capable of attracting or providing food for birds (40 CFR 257.3–8)
From page 150...
... TTake (wildlife)
From page 151...
... 154 AAWV American Association of Wildlife Veterinarians AC Advisory Circular A-C Alpha-Chloralose ADC Animal Damage Control (former name of USDA/WS) AGL Above Ground Level AIP Airport Improvement Program AOA Air Operations Area APHIS Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service APP Office of Airport Planning and Programming ATC Air Traffic Control AWHWG Airport Wildlife Hazards Working Group BASH Bird/Aircraft Strike Hazard (USAF)
From page 152...
... SLN Special Local Need TSS Threshold Siting Service USAF United States Air Force USACE United States Army Corps of Engineers U.S. DOD United States Department of Defense USDA/WS United States Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services U.S.
From page 153...
... 156 Allan, J
From page 154...
... Dolbeer, R
From page 155...
... Thorpe, J Fatalities and Destroyed Aircraft Due to Bird Strikes, 2002–2004 (with an appendix of animal strikes)
From page 156...
... Ehrlich.
From page 157...
... 160 A P P E N D I X A Federal Aviation Administration, Airports Division, Headquarters and Regional Offices Accurate as of November 2009 FAA National Headquarters Airports Division 800 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20591 Name Mail Stop Phone Number Michael Brown, Div Mgr. AAS-300 202-267-7653 Bruce Landry, Staff Cert Specialist – All Regions AAS-300 202-267-8729 Freddie James, Staff Cert Specialist AAS-300 202-267-8792 Phillip Davenport, Staff Cert Specialist AAS-300 202-267-7072 Kenneth Langert, Staff Cert Specialist AAS-300 202 493-4529 Keri Spencer, Staff Cert Specialist – SMS AAS-300 202-267-8972 Randy Moseng, Staff Cert Specialist – SMS AAS-300 404 474-5433 Susan Gardner, Aviation Safety Analyst AAS-300 202-267-5203 Marc Tonnacliff, Senior ARFF Specialist AAS-300 202-267-8732 John Weller, Wildlife Biologist AAS-300 202-267-3778 Fax: 202-267-5383 FAA Alaska Region Headquarters Airports Division 222 West 7th Avenue, #14 Anchorage, AK 99513 Name Mail Stop Phone Number Byron K.Huffman, Div Mgr.
From page 158...
... Federal Aviation Administration, Airports Division, Headquarters and Regional Offices 161 FAA Central Region Headquarters Airports Division 601 East 12th Street Federal Building Kansas City, MO 64106 Serving: KS, IA, MO, NE Name Mail Stop Phone Number Jim Johnson Div Mgr. ACE-600 816-329-2601 Rodney Joel, Br Mgr.
From page 159...
... 162 Guidebook for Addressing Aircraft/Wildlife Hazards at General Aviation Airports FAA Great Lakes Region Headquarters Airports Division O'Hare Lake Office Center 2300 East Devon Avenue Des Plaines, IL 60018 Serving: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, ND, SD, WI Name Mail Stop Phone Number Kelvin Solco, Acting Div Mgr. AGL-600 847-294-7272 Ignacio Flores, Br Mgr.
From page 160...
... FAA Northwest Mountain Region Headquarters Airports Division 1601 Lind Avenue, SW Renton, WA 98055 Serving: CO, ID, MT, OR, UT, WA, WY Name Mail Stop Phone Number Donna Taylor, Div Mgr. ANM-600 425-227-2600 Bill Watson, Br Mgr.
From page 161...
... FAA Western Pacific Region Headquarters Airports Division 15000 Aviation Boulevard Hawthorne, CA 90261 Courier address: use above address Mail address: P
From page 162...
... 165 A P P E N D I X B U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, Headquarters and State Offices Accurate as of January 2010 Headquarters U.S.
From page 163...
... 166 Guidebook for Addressing Aircraft/Wildlife Hazards at General Aviation Airports Eastern Region USDA/APHIS/WS Eastern Regional Office 920 Main Campus Drive, Suite 200 Raleigh, NC 27606 Charles S Brown, Regional Director (919)
From page 164...
... U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, Headquarters and State Offices 167 Maryland Kevin Sullivan State Director 1568 Whitehall Road Annapolis, MD 21401 (410)
From page 165...
... 168 Guidebook for Addressing Aircraft/Wildlife Hazards at General Aviation Airports Tennessee Brett Dunlap State Director 537 Myatt Dr. Madison, TN 37115 (615)
From page 166...
... U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, Headquarters and State Offices 169 Idaho Mark Collinge State Director 9134 W
From page 167...
... Copies of the FAA Advisory Circulars, CertAlerts, and other documents can be downloaded free of charge at: http://www.faa.gov/airports/resources/publications/ http://www.faa.gov/airports/resources/advisory_circulars/ http://www.faa.gov/airports/airport_safety/certalerts/ Advisory Circular 150/5300-13, Airport Design Advisory Circular 150/5200-32, Reporting Wildlife Aircraft Strikes Advisory Circular 150/5200-33, Hazardous Wildlife Attractants on or near Airports Advisory Circular 150/5200-36, Qualifications for Wildlife Biologists Conducting Wildlife Hazard Assessments and Training Curriculums for Airport Personnel Involved in Controlling Wildlife Hazards on Airports Advisory Circular 150/5300-13, Airport Design CertAlert No. 98-05, Grasses Attractive to Hazardous Wildlife CertAlert No.
From page 168...
... Suggested Wildlife Control Equipment 171 A P P E N D I X D Equipment for Control of Hazardous Wildlife This equipment list is a suggested minimum that would be found at a small- to mediumsized U.S. airport.
From page 169...
... 172 This appendix describes a system (adapted from Seubert 1994) for objectively assessing the implementation of WHMPs at civil airports.
From page 170...
... Assessing Wildlife Hazard Management Plans at Civil Airports 173 Category 1: Management functions related to wildlife hazards at or in the vicinity of the airport If permits have not been obtained [Code 1.1 (in the Wildlife Hazard Assessment Form at the end of this appendix)
From page 171...
... 174 Guidebook for Addressing Aircraft/Wildlife Hazards at General Aviation Airports Wildlife Hazard Assessment Form Airport: Date: Page 1 of 6 Category 1: Management functions related to wildlife hazards at or in the vicinity of the airport ASSESSMENT CODE ITEMS S NI U NA 1.1 Acquiring wildlife control permits from federal, state, and local agencies 1.2 Arranging for WHAs and other studies, as needed, to evaluate hazard potential of wildlife attracted by habitats, land uses, and food sources on or in vicinity of airport 1.3 Developing wildlife hazard control program based on WHA and other studies and factors 1.4 Defining and delegating authority and responsibility for wildlife hazard control program 1.5 Supervising, implementing, and coordinating airport wildlife hazard control program 1.6 Evaluating wildlife hazard control program at least once per year 1.7 Training personnel responsible for implementing airport wildlife hazard control program, especially field personnel 1.8 Operating wildlife patrol system with a trained field staff, conducting surveillance/inspections of critical airport areas, and effecting wildlife control when needed or requested 1.9 Establishing a communication capability between wildlife control and ATC personnel 1.10 Maintaining a system for warning pilots about wildlife hazards (such as NOTAMs, ATC, radar observations) 1.11 Ensuring that airport habitats are managed to reduce or eliminate wildlife attractions 1.12 Ensuring that airport policy prohibits feeding of wildlife and exposure of food wastes 1.13 Interacting with local jurisdictions and landowners about zoning, land use, and the resolution of wildlife hazard problems in vicinity of airport 1.14 Maintaining log book with daily record of wildlife control activities, wildlife activity, reported wildlife strikes, and wildlife remains found on runways identified by species 1.15 Reporting all wildlife strikes to FAA
From page 172...
... Airport: Date: Page 2 of 6 Category 2: Bird control at or in the vicinity of the airport ASSESSMENT CODE TECHNIQUES S NI U NA DISPERSE, DETER, EXCLUDE, REPEL 2.1 Bird patrols in vehicle 2.2 Bioacoustics (distress calls) 2.3 Electronically generated noise 2.4 Propane cannons 2.5 Pyrotechnics 2.6 Shooting to scare 2.7 Netting hangar rafters, ponds etc.
From page 173...
... Airport: Date: Page 4 of 6 Category 4: Management of habitat and food sources on airport property related to wildlife hazards ASSESSMENT CODE ITEMS S NI U NA AGRICULTURE/VEGETATION MANAGEMENT 4.1 Agricultural crops (especially cereal grains and sunflowers) 4.2 Plowing, mowing, harvesting (rodents, insects, worms)
From page 174...
... Assessing Wildlife Hazard Management Plans at Civil Airports 177 Airport: Date: Page 6 of 6 Summary: Comments are required for all elements in Categories 1–4 assessed as "Unsatisfactory" or as "Needs Improvement," or with a score of 2 or 3 in Category 5. Manager or wildlife supervisor: Phone: Fax: E-mail: Assessor: Phone: Fax: E-mail: Assessor's comments for elements rated "unsatisfactory" or "needs improvement" in Categories 1-4 or for elements scored 2 or 3 in Category 5.
From page 175...
... 178 A P P E N D I X F Federal Aviation Administration Form 5200-7, Bird/Other Wildlife Strike Report
From page 176...
... Federal Aviation Administration Form 5200-7, Bird/Other Wildlife Strike Report 179
From page 177...
... 180 Guidebook for Addressing Aircraft/Wildlife Hazards at General Aviation Airports Mail to: Federal Aviation Administration Office of Airport Safety and Standards, AAS-310 800 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20591

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