wildlife hazard management program update

Wildlife Hazard Management Program

Update

2012 Pacific Aviation Director’s Workshop

Daniel ViceUSDA, APHIS, Wildlife

Services

Overview• Wildlife strike background• Micronesian airports review

– Species– Attractants

• Project status• Project needs • General wildlife hazard management review

Reported Wildlife Strikes, US Civil Aviation

American Fleet Year Aircraft 3 or 4 Engines 1969 2,100 75% 1998 5,400 30% 2008 7,000 10%

Wildlife Hazard Management Plan• Based upon Wildlife Hazard Assessment and

directs wildlife management for the airport• Identifies resources, organizational roles, and

management activities• Reviewed and updated annually, or as needed

(several other thresholds trigger review)

Regional WHM Status• Micronesian WHMP’s reviewed by airports;

currently under review by Honolulu ADO• Final submission following revisions• American Samoa assessment start-up in

November 2011

WHMP Input Needs• Resources available for management

– Staff– Equipment– Capacity

• Identify specific organizational roles • Regulatory compliance

• Pyrotechnics• Propane cannons• Vehicular harassment• Live trapping• Nest destruction• Shooting• Habitat management

Wildlife Hazard Management Tools

Pyrotechnics

Pyrotechics

Propane cannons

Habitat Management

Information Management and Record Keeping

• Operational Management Data• Runway Checks• Strike Reporting• Training Requirements

The Federal Aviation Administration’s Advisory Circular 150/5200-32A stresses the importance of documenting wildlife strikes and provides guidance on reporting strikes to aircraft. A wildlife strike is considered to have occurred when any of the following conditions are met:

 1. A pilot reports striking 1 or more birds or other wildlife; 2. Aircraft maintenance personnel identify aircraft damage as having been caused by a wildlife strike; 3. Personnel on the ground report seeing an aircraft strike 1 or more birds or other wildlife; 4. Bird or other wildlife remains, whether in whole or in part, are found within 200 feet of a runway centerline, unless another reason for the animal's death is identified; or 5. An animal's presence on the airport had a significant negative effect on a flight (i.e., aborted takeoff, aborted landing, high-speed emergency stop or aircraft leaves pavement area to avoid collision with an animal).

Wildlife Strike Reporting

Take-Home Messages

• Wildlife strike mitigation is critical safety need

• Plan and implement safely; use the right tools

• Document and follow regulations

• Report Wildlife Strikes

Hawaii/Guam/Pacific IslandsGuam District Office233 Pangelinan Way

Barrigada, Guam 96913

(671)635-4400

United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services