On this Page...
- Birdstrike Committee - USA
- Birdstrike Identification: Guidelines for Submitting Bird Strike Feather Remains for Identification
- Deer Hazard Mitigation: Alternative Deer Fencing
- FAA Airport Wildlife Hazard Mitigation Web site: National Wildlife Aircraft Strike Database
- Hazardous Wildlife Attractants on or Near Airports
- On-Line Self Screening for Hazardous Wildlife Attractants On or Near Public-Use Airports
- Reducing Wildlife hazards on Your Airports
- Wildlife Hazard Management Manual
- Wildlife Hazard Management Plan
- Wildlife Hazard Management Process at Airports
- Wildlife Services: State Wildlife Contact Information
Birdstrike Committee - USA
Bird and other wildlife strikes to aircraft annually cause over $600 million in damage to U.S. civil and military aviation. Useful information on this topic can be found at the web site of the Bird Strike Committee - USA . This volunteer committee was formed in 1991 and includes as partners the Federal Aviation Administration, the Department of Defense, the Department of Agriculture and leading aviation industries. The committee's goals are to:
- facilitate the exchange of information
- promote the collection and analysis of accurate wildlife strike data
- promote the development of new technologies for reducing wildlife hazards
- promote professionalism in wildlife management programs on airports through training and advocacy of high standards of conduct for airport biologists and bird patrol personnel
- act as a liaison to similar organizations in other countries.
December 2005
Birdstrike Identification: Guidelines for Submitting Bird Strike Feather Remains for Identification
Accurate species identification is critical for bird-aircraft strike reduction programs. To that end, the Federal Aviation Administration, US Air Force, and USDA - Wildlife Services are working closely with the feather identification lab at the Smithsonian Institution, Museum of Natural History, to improve the understanding and prevention of bird-aircraft strike hazards.
Feather identification of birds involved in bird-aircraft strikes will be provided free of charge to all United States aircraft owners/operators (regardless of where the strike occurred), all United States airport operators, or to any foreign air carrier if the strike occurred at a United States airport.
Please observe guidelines presented in FAA CertAlert No. 03-03 (MS Word)
for collecting and submitting feather or other bird/wildlife remains for species identification. These guidelines help maintain species identification accuracy, reduce turnaround time, and maintain a comprehensive database.
FAA Washington HQ
Deer Hazard Mitigation: Alternative Deer Fencing
There is little doubt that the rapidly increasing deer populations represent a serious threat to both General Aviation and Commercial Aircraft. It is currently estimated that there are over 26 million deer in the United States. Because of increasing urbanization and rapidly expanding deer populations, deer are adapting to human environments, especially around airports, where they often find food and shelter.
The best and most practical way of keeping deer and other wildlife off of airports is with fencing, which may be AIP-eligible. The need for the fencing should be confirmed first by a wildlife hazard assessment done by a wildlife biologist.
The wildlife hazard assessment will typically recommend the type/height of fence. Generally, we recommend a 10-foot chain link fence topped with 3 strands of barbed wire, and a 4-foot skirt attached to the bottom of the fence. The fence skirt should be buried at a 45 degree angle on the outside of the fence at least two feet into the ground to prevent animals from digging under the fence and to reduce the chance of washout. This fencing configuration is the most effective for keeping deer and other wildlife off an airport; It also greatly increases airport security.
All fencing must be properly maintained. The fence line right-of-way must be kept free of excess vegetation. The fence line should be patrolled at least daily, and any washouts, breaks or other holes in the fence repaired as soon as they are discovered. If deer are observed on or near the aircraft movement area, immediate action must be taken to remove them.
However, when installation of chain link fencing is not feasible due to cost or environmental impacts, other types of fencing may be installed. Cost alone is not an acceptable reason for rejecting the use of chain link fencing.
In some cases, electric fencing may offer a practical alternative to the use of chain link fencing. Recent improvements in fencing components and design have greatly increased the effectiveness and ease of installation of electric fences. Tests by the USDA's National Wildlife Research Center have shown that some 4 to 6-foot, 5 to 9-strand electric fence designs can be 99% effective in stopping deer. Installation of some of the new electric fences require neither specialized equipment nor training and can be accomplished by airport personnel.
In limited situations, using non-conductive, composite, frangible electric fence posts and fence conductors, it may be permissible to install an electric fence closer to the aircraft movement area than would normally be allowed with standard chain link fencing material. One drawback to electric fences is that they require extensive maintenance in order to keep vegetation and trees from reducing the electric fence's effectiveness.
Airport operators can contact the nearest USDA, Wildlife Services Offices or the State Wildlife Management Agency for assistance with deer problems.
Ed Cleary, Washington HQ
(includes editorial revisions by FAA Central Region)
FAA Airport Wildlife Hazard Mitigation Web site: National Wildlife Aircraft Strike Database
Wildlife can pose a significant hazard to aviation safety. The FAA maintains an Airport Wildlife Hazard Mitigation Home Page that serves as a good resource for information regarding wildlife aircraft hazards.
Located on this site is the FAA National Wildlife Aircraft Strike Database. This database was established by the FAA in 1995 to help gain an understanding of this complex issue. The database currently contains about 43,000 reports of wildlife aircraft strikes. Hundreds of requests are received annually from airport and airline operators for wildlife aircraft strike information.
In order to expedite the dissemination of this valuable information, the FAA has established a web site that allows an airport or airline operator to access those records that pertain to its particular airport or airline. The public area of this database allows limited viewing of the wildlife strike database. Viewing of additional detailed information requires the user register and obtain a password.
To gain full access to the FAA National Wildlife Aircraft Strike Database, the user must register as follows:
- The airport or airline operator must send a letter, on airport/airline letterhead, requesting access to the database to:
Ed Cleary
Federal Aviation Administration, AAS-317
800 Independence Ave. SW.
Washington, DC. 20591. - The password the airport or airline operator wants to use must be included in the letter of request. The FAA does not assign passwords. The password can be no more than 8 characters, alphanumeric, and case sensitive. An e-mail address for the requester must also be included.
- When the request for access to the database is received, the password will be entered into the system, and the airport or airline operator will be notified by e-mail.
- The airport or airline operator can distribute the password to whomever they deem appropriate.
- All passwords will expire 1 year after they are entered. Password renewal procedures are being developed.
Once the user has established a password, the Database may be accessed from the FAA Airport Wildlife Hazard Mitigation Home Page.
- Go to the "Access to the National Wildlife Strike Database" area, located in the lower right side of the first page.
- Select "Authorized Airport Personnel," or "Authorized Operator (Airline) Personnel" and follow the on screen instructions.
Ed Cleary
FAA Washington HQ
Hazardous Wildlife Attractants - General Guidance
FAA Advisory Circulars (AC) 150/5200-33, Hazardous Wildlife Attractants on or Near Airports and 150/5200-34, Construction or Establishment of Landfills Near Airports establish FAA standards for land use practices in the vicinity of airports. Airport operators should apply the guidance provided within these two Advisory Circulars by opposing any on or off airport land use modifications or practices that may result in attracting hazardous wildlife. Failure to apply these FAA standards at obligated airports can result in the airport owner being held in noncompliance with their applicable grant assurances. Refer to the article entitled On-Line Self-Screening for Hazardous Wildlife Attractants On or Near Public-Use Airports for a listing of hazardous wildlife attractants.
Glenn Helm
Revised November 2007
On-Line Self Screening for Hazardous Wildlife Attractants On or Near Public-Use Airports (within 7 miles)
Proponents of the following facilities should use the on-line self-screening to determine whether further study by FAA is needed:
- Waste Disposal Operations (e.g. municipal solid waste landfills, trash transfer stations, composting operations, underwater waste discharges, construction and demolition debris facilities, fly ash disposal, etc.)
- Water Management Facilities (e.g. storm water management facilities, wastewater treatment facilities & associated retention and settling ponds, artificial marshes, wastewater discharge and disposal, drinking water intake and treatment facilities, ponds built for recreational use, ponds resulting from mining operations, etc.)
- Wetlands
- Dredge Spoil Containment Areas
- Agricultural Activities (e.g. livestock production, aquaculture, intentional seasonal flooding to attract wildlife, etc.)
- Golf Courses
A study by FAA will determine if the proposed facility is compatible with safe airport operations. A proposed facility within 7 miles of a public-use airport will not necessarily result in an incompatible use finding by FAA. Some activities as close as 5000’ to an airport may be compatible depending on the type of airport and location of the proposed development with respect to approach and departure paths of the runways (existing and planned).
To perform the self-screening, visit the FAA Obstruction Evaluation/Airport Airspace Analysis (OE/AAA) web page. This web page includes an online utility entitled Circle Search for Airports that allows the user to search for nearby airports from a specified location. Select "A specific location", enter a circle radius of 7 (miles), enter the latitude and longitude of the location, and finally click “Search.” If the search returns one or more airports, submit the proposed facility type, with its latitude and longitude information to the FAA for review. For the FAA Central Region, which consists of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska, submit the information to Mr.
Glenn Helm. Mr. Helm's phone number is 816-329-2617.
Glenn Helm
Revised November 2007
Reducing Wildlife Hazards on Your Airport
Many airports don't know how to get started or where to spend their limited resources in controlling wildlife. A powerpoint presentation is available to help airport managers and their employees quickly learn the basics. The get a copy, contact Glenn Helm at 816-329-2617
Glenn Helm
January 2008
Wildlife Hazard Management Manual
In December 1999, FAA distributed a manual to all part 139 airports entitled, Wildlife Hazard Management At Airports. This manual was updated in July of 2005. This manual was prepared for airport personnel in cooperation with the FAA and USDA Wildlife Services.The manual contains the following chapters and appendices:
Chapter 1 - Introduction to the Wildlife Strike Problem
Chapter 2 - The FAA National Wildlife Strike Database for Civil Aviation
Chapter 3 - Agencies & Organizations
Chapter 4 - Federal Regulations & Departmental Policies
Chapter 5 - Recognizing Hazardous Wildlife Attractants on or Near Airports
Chapter 6 - Developing Wildlife Hazard Management Programs at Airports
Chapter 7 - Evaluating Wildlife Hazard Management Programs at Airports
Chapter 8 - Wildlife Hazard Management Training for Airport Personnel
Chapter 9 - Wildlife Control Strategies and Techniques at Airports
Appendix A - USDA Wildlife Services Offices
Appendix B - Animal Damage Control Act
Appendix C - FAA Advisory Circulars
Appendix D - FAA Program Policies and Guidance
Appendix E - FAA Wildlife Related Certalerts
Appendix F - USDA Directive 2.305, Wildlife Hazards to Aviation
Appendix G - MOU between FAA and USDA
Appendix H - MOA between FAA DOD, EPA and USDA
Appendix I - Wildlife Strike Reports
Appendix J - Gull Facts for Airport Wildlife Control Personnel
Appendix K- Assessing Wildlife Hazard Management Plans at Civil Airports
Appendix L - Evaluations of Wildlife Control Products and Strategies
Appendix M - Wetlands Banking Mitigation Strategy for FAA
Appendix N - Liability Issues for Airport Managers
Appendix O - Summary of Vegetation Management
Appendix P - Title 14, CFR, Part 139.337
This document is available online. User's should note, however that this is a very large document and it may take a significant amount of time to download.
Download: Mike MullenJanuary 2000
Wildlife Hazard Management Plan
An increasing number of questions are being received concerning the preparation and content of an FAA approved airport wildlife hazard management plan. Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations, part 139.337, Wildlife Hazard Management, prescribes the specific issues that a wildlife hazard management plan must address for FAA approval and inclusion in the ACM.
A wildlife hazard assessment, identified as an ecological study in part 139.337(a), is conducted by a wildlife damage management biologist. The assessment provides the scientific basis for the development, implementation, and refinement of a Wildlife Hazard Management Plan, if needed. Though parts of the wildlife hazard assessment may be incorporated directly in the Wildlife Hazard Management Plan, they are two separate documents. Part of the Wildlife Hazard Management Plan can be prepared by the biologist who conducts the wildlife hazard assessment. However, some parts can be prepared only by airport staff. For example, airport management assigns airport personnel responsibilities, commits airport funds, and purchases equipment and supplies. Airport management should request that the wildlife biologist review the finished plan prior to submitting it to the FAA for review and approval as an amendment to the Airport Certification Manual.
The wildlife damage management biologist's primary responsibilities are:
- to provide information on the wildlife attractants that have been identified on or near the airport,
- to identify wildlife management techniques,
- to prioritize appropriate mitigation measures,
- to recommend necessary equipment and supplies, and
- to identify training requirements for the airport personnel who will implement the Wildlife Hazard Management Plan.
It is often helpful for the airport manager to appoint a Wildlife Hazard Management Group that has responsibility for the airport's wildlife management program. The biologist should assist the Wildlife Hazard Management Group with periodic evaluations of the plan and make recommendations for further refinements or modifications.
The requirements for an acceptable Wildlife Hazard Management Plan are addressed in Part 139.337 (e) and Part 139.337(f). We have prepared a general summary that briefly explains the requirement of the relevant Part 138 subsections.
Download:
Ed ClearyWildlife Specialist
FAA Headquarters
January 1998
Wildlife Hazard Management Process at Airports
Aircraft collisions with wildlife annually cost the US aviation industry over $300 million in direct damage and associated costs and over 500,000 hours of aircraft down time. The cost in human lives lost (over 100 since 1960) best illustrates the need for management of the wildlife strike problem.
A number of certificated airports in the Central Region already have Wildlife Hazard Management Plans in effect while other airports have Wildlife Hazard Assessments in progress or are in the process of formulating plans.
Part 139.337(a) requires that a certificate holder provide for the conduct of an ecological study (Wildlife Hazard Assessment) if an air carrier aircraft experiences a multiple bird strike, an engine ingestion, or a damaging collision with wildlife other than birds. Part 139 also requires that an assessment be conducted if wildlife of a size or in numbers capable of causing one of these events is observed to have access to any airport flight pattern or movement area. Airports with a standing warning of wildlife hazards in the Airport Facility Directory (A/FD), announcements on the NOTAM system, or Automatic Terminal Information System (ATIS), are considered to meet the conditions that require a wildlife hazard assessment. Letters of Correction have been issued at several airports where the certificate holder has failed to comply with this requirement. The FAA Airport Certification staff should be notified if one of the events listed above occurs at your airport.
The wildlife hazard management process usually begins with the conduct of a preliminary Wildlife Hazard Assessment by a wildlife damage management biologist with USDA Wildlife Services or some other private contractor. This preliminary assessment consists of a one or two day site visit by a wildlife biologist at no charge to the airport if conducted by Wildlife Services. The purpose of the preliminary assessment is to provide immediate assistance to an airport operator in managing a wildlife hazard and to determine if the airport has a significant wildlife problem which would require a more extensive year long
study of the seasonal fluctuations of wildlife activity.
If a year long Wildlife Hazard Assessment is necessary, airport operators may need to enter into a cooperative agreement with USDA Wildlife Services or some other private contractor for the study and other services such as training of airport personnel in wildlife hazard reduction programs. The cost of these cooperative agreements will vary depending on the size of the airport, the extent of the wildlife problem. At the completion of the Wildlife Hazard Assessment, Wildlife Services will provide a report with an analysis of the wildlife hazard and recommendations for reducing the hazard. During the conduct of the
Wildlife Hazard Assessment, the airport operator will work closely with the wildlife biologist to implement measures to alleviate immediate wildlife hazards, as required by part 139.337(f), rather than wait until the completion of the study.
The Wildlife Hazard Assessment report must be submitted to the FAA for review. The FAA will consider the results of the study along with the aeronautical activity at the airport and the views of the airport operator and users, in determining whether or not a formal Wildlife Hazard Management Plan is required. When the FAA determines that a Wildlife Hazard Management Plan is necessary, the airport operator will formulate the plan using the Wildlife Hazard Assessment report as the basis for the plan and address the required elements addressed in part 139.337(e). The goal of the plan is to minimize wildlife populations on and around the airport that pose a threat to aviation safety and provide procedures for alleviating wildlife hazards whenever detected. The draft Wildlife Hazard Management Plan should be reviewed by the Wildlife Services biologist prior to submitting the plan to the FAA.
While the airport operator is formulating a Wildlife Hazard Management Plan, the FAA will contact the local U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Office and request information concerning the presence of federally listed or proposed endangered or threatened species of habitat on or near the airport. If federally listed or proposed endangered or threatened species, or designated or proposed critical habitat are present, the airport operator must prepare a Biological Assessment (Title 50 CFR 402.13) assessing the impacts of the Wildlife Hazard Management Plan on these species or habitats. The Biological Assessment must be submitted to the FAA along with the draft Wildlife Hazard Management Plan for review and approval.
Once the FAA determines that the Wildlife Hazard Management Plan is in accordance with part 139 requirements, the airport operator will incorporate the plan into the Airport Certification Manual and submit the appropriate ACM revision for FAA approval.
Wildlife populations are constantly changing and wildlife may adapt to new habitats or control strategies. New control technologies may become available or established products or techniques may be withdrawn or banned. There may also be changes in wildlife control personnel at the airport. Once a Wildlife Hazard Management Plan is in effect, a process must be developed to periodically evaluate the plan for effectiveness in managing wildlife hazards. Detailed documentation of wildlife activity, strikes, and airport wildlife control actions is extremely important for monitoring the effectiveness of a wildlife management program and provides a record that the airport operator is complying with the Wildlife Hazard Management Plan. A monthly summary of these records can be used to provide baseline data for analyzing and evaluating the wildlife control program. A wildlife biologist should also be invited to conduct an annual assessment of the airport's wildlife management program.
Mike Mullen
July 2000
Wildlife Services
Airport operators are encouraged to contact State wildlife specialists to obtain information and guidance for controlling wildlife on or near their airport. Phone numbers and addresses for airports within the FAA Central Region are as follows:
Iowa and Missouri
Ed Hartin, State Director
USDA Wildlife Services Office
1714 Commerce Court, Suite C
Columbia, MO 65202
Voice: 573-449-3033
Fax: 573-449-4382
Branson - Scott Radford: 417-334-3775
Columbia - Rosemary Heinen: 573-449-3033, x12
Columbia - Dan McMurtry: 573-449-3033, x13
Des Moines - Ernie Colboth: 515-256-5558
Kansas
Tom Halstead
USDA Wildlife Services Office 4070 Fort Riley Blvd.
Manhattan, KS 66502
Voice: 785-537-6855
Fax: 785- 537-6862
Nebraska
Tim Veenendaal, State Director
USDA Wildlife Services Office
P.O. Box 81866
Lincoln, NE 68501-1866
Voice: 402-434-2340
Fax: 402-434-2330
The initial consultation is usually at no cost.
Revised May 2007
