Bird and animal hazards around aerodromes

Wildlife Hazard Forum 2007

Almost 100 people attended the 2007 Wildlife Hazard forum, hailing from a diverse range of organisations including airlines large and small, airports, the Australian Museum, the Department of Defence, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, and aviation wildlife hazard management consultants.

Accident & Incident Notification - Bird & Animal Strike Reporting

Bird and animal strikes are on the increase, but with improved reporting our industry will be able to better understand the problem, and put more effective controls in place. The ATSB Accident & Incident Notification Form now includes bird/animal strike fields to gather essential information to help industry better understand the issues it faces with bird and animal hazards.

Australian Bird and Animal Hazard Working Group

The Australian Bird and Animal Hazard Working Group has come about as a result of one of the recommendations of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau Report
The Hazards Posed to Aircraft by Birds (261kb).

Terms of Reference

To enhance awareness of the safety issues surrounding bird and animal strikes; provide an opportunity for bird and animal strike information, knowledge and advise to be shared; and to determine directions for future research, regulations and procedures to mitigate the risk posed by birds and animals to aircraft.

Meeting minutes

7 November 2007 (60 Kb)

13 March 2007 (60 Kb)

21 November 2006 (56 Kb)

4 July 2006 (60 Kb)

4 April 2006 (64 Kb)

18 November 2005 (121 Kb)

30 August 2005 (89 Kb)

24 May 2005 (55Kb)

25 January 2005 (53Kb)

6 July 2004 (131Kb)

3 December 2003 (135Kb)

Working Policies

Definitions of Bird and Animal Strikes for Australian Airports (updated 26 August 2007)

Reporting Forms for Bird and Animal Strikes at Australian Airports

Measuring and Reporting Bird and Animal Strike Rates at Australian Airports

Charter

Further information about the Australian Bird and Animal Hazard Working Group can be found in the Statement of Purpose and Charter.

Birds identified using DNA

The DNA project funded by the ATSB has been finalised. A copy of the findings of the trial undertaken jointly by the Australian Museum and Museum Victoria is available to download.

Aerodromes can still use the DNA sampling kits (for a fee) from the Australian Museum to help identify birds.

For further detail contact the project manager Dr Rebecca Johnson at the Museum on 02 9320 6454 or by email at rebeccaj@austmus.gov.au.

Bird information sheets

A set of Bird Information sheets have been developed by the ATSB and cover the 8 birds considered to be hazardous to aircraft operations. These information sheets are available to download from the ATSB website.

National Framework for Bird and Animal Management at Airports

Developed by the Australian Airports Association in co-operation with the Australian Aviation Bird and Animal Hazard Working Group, the National Framework provides a standard reference for all of those aerodrome operators and airlines involved in the management of bird and animal hazards to aircraft.

The national framework document provides guidance to those involved in developing an airport Bird and Animal Hazard Management Plan. The framework also includes sample “standard operating procedures” for staff involved in harassment of birds and animals.

Aerodromes or airlines can use this material to develop their own Bird and Animal Hazard Management Plans or as a checklist for reviewing their current Plan.

The document will be referenced in a soon to be released Advisory Circular “Managing Wildlife Hazards to aviation”.

Bird and Animal Hazard Management Plan template. ( 2.1Mb file)

Overseas bird strike committees

Bird Strike Committeee USA - Understanding and reducing bird and other wildlife hazards to aircraft.

Bird Strike Committee of Italy - For all those who are convinced that safeguarding flight safety can coexist with respect for wild fauna.

International Bird Strike Committee - A voluntary association of representatives from organizations desiring to share knowledge for improving commercial, military, and private aviation flight safety through understanding and reducing the frequency and risk of colliding with birds.

Bird Strike Committee Canada - A non-profit organisation dedicated to flight safety by reducing collisions with birds.

Aerodromes