Guidebook for Addressing Aircraft/Wildlife Hazards at General Aviation Airports (2010) / Chapter Skim
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For General Aviation Airport Personnel P A R T 1 Part 1 is intended for GA airport personnel who have day-to-day responsibilities for dealing with hazardous wildlife problems at the airport. It covers the following topics: • Identification, control methods, and legal status of the wildlife species posing the greatest hazard to GA aircraft (Chapter 1)
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Introduction Many species of wildlife can pose a direct or indirect threat to aviation safety. However, not all wildlife species are equally hazardous.
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The wildlife species listed in Table 4.1 and Figure 7.1 are ranked on the relative "severity of outcome" if they are involved in a strike. Deer, the species having the greatest potential to cause aircraft damage when struck, are ranked highest (100)
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Legal Status Laws regulating coyote control are not uniform among states or even among counties within a state. Contact the state natural resources management agency to determine the coyote's status and legal take methods.
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Legal Status Deer are protected in all states. Persons wishing to take deer outside of the normal hunting season must have a state depredation permit.
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General Biology Feral dogs (Canis familiaris) are the most widespread of the wild canids.
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Legal Status In the United States, foxes are listed as furbearers or given some status as game animals by most state governments. Most states allow for the taking of foxes to protect private property.
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• Trap raccoons using no. 1 long spring and no.
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Three other crows occur in the continental United States; the fish crow (Corvus ossifragus) , the northwestern crow (Corvus caurinus)
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tapes made of Mylar, tape-recorded distress calls for birds, various types of scarecrows, and green lasers. • Shoot blackbirds.
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winter in the southern United States, often in association with redwings, cowbirds, and starlings. • Great-tailed grackles (Quiscalus mexicanus)
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• Place netting over ponds, or install bird balls. • Shoot cormorants.
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of a wide variety of food sources and associated habitats. Even though many species are adapted to feeding in the water, most will readily come on land to take advantage of available food.
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European Starlings Control • Repel using pyrotechnics, recorded distress or alarm calls, propane exploders, battery-operated alarms, hawk kites, and Mylar flags. • Use green lasers to help disperse starling roosts.
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a control program. In addition, state or local laws may regulate or prohibit certain control techniques such as shooting or the use of toxicants.
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Top to bottom: laughing gulls, great black-backed gulls, herring gull, ring-billed gull. (Photos: top and middle courtesy D
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Herons, Egrets, and Cranes Control • Repel using propane exploders, battery-operated alarms, pyrotechnics, Mylar reflective tape, scarecrows, or green lasers. • Eliminate prey species such as field mice and large insects.
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The Most Hazardous Species of Wildlife 25 Top to bottom: great blue heron, great egret, Florida sandhill cranes. (Photos: top courtesy J
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fly with powerful, rhythmic wing beats and necks outstretched like geese, whereas herons fly with necks tucked in on their backs. For positive identification, look for reddish skin on top of the crane's head.
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unsanitary conditions and damage to property. As they are seed and grain feeders they can cause substantial damage to agricultural crops.
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• Eliminate pools of standing water that pigeons use for watering. • Exclude pigeons from buildings by blocking access to indoor roosts.
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species, including bald and golden eagles (50 CFR 21.41)
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Resident Canada Geese Control • Repel geese using pyrotechnics or propane exploders. • Repel geese using the chemical repellents methyl anthranilate or anthraquinone.
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Introduction Land use practices and habitat are the key factors determining the wildlife species and the size of wildlife populations that are attracted to airport environments. The recognition and control of these land use practices and habitats at or near airports that attract hazardous wildlife are fundamental to effective wildlife hazard management plans.
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of the material presented in this chapter was derived from these various ACs and CertAlerts. The information contained in them is intended for certificated airports.
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Recognizing Hazardous Wildlife Attractants at or near General Aviation Airports 33 PERIMETER A PERIMETER B Apron Parking Area Runway Taxiway Ru nw ay Taxiway PERIMETER C Perimeter A: For airports serving piston-powered aircraft, hazardous wildlife attractants must be 5,000 ft from the nearest air operations area. Perimeter B: For airports serving turbine-powered aircraft, hazardous wildlife attractants must be 10,000 ft from the nearest air operations area.
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Airports Serving Turbine-Powered Aircraft Airports selling Jet-A fuel normally serve turbine-powered aircraft. Notwithstanding more stringent requirements for specific land uses, a minimum separation distance of 10,000 ft is recommended at these airports for known hazardous wildlife attractants or for new airport development projects meant to accommodate aircraft movement.
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Siting New Municipal Solid Waste Landfills Do not locate new MSWLFs closer than the recommended separation distances. Measure the separation distances from the closest point of the airport's AOA to the closest planned MSWLF cell.
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To claim successfully that a waste-handling facility sited closer than the recommended separation distances does not attract hazardous wildlife and does not threaten aviation, the developer must establish convincingly that the facility will not handle putrescible material (organic matter) other than in fully enclosed transfer stations (see the section entitled "Trash Transfer Stations" later in this chapter)
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branches) generally do not attract hazardous wildlife.
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Fly Ash Disposal The incinerated residue from resource recovery power/heat-generating facilities that are fired by municipal solid waste, coal, or wood is generally not a wildlife attractant because it no longer contains putrescible material. Landfills accepting only fly ash are generally not considered to be wildlife attractants and are acceptable as long as they are maintained in an orderly manner, they admit no putrescible waste of any kind, and they are not co-located with disposal operations that attract hazardous wildlife.
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Recognizing Hazardous Wildlife Attractants at or near General Aviation Airports 39 Storm water detention basins should be designed to drain completely within 48 hours following the design storm. See next photo.
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When it is not possible to drain a large detention pond completely, use physical barriers, such as bird balls, wire grids, pillows, or netting, to deter birds and other hazardous wildlife. When physical barriers are used, carefully evaluate their use and ensure that they will not adversely affect water rescue.
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sided, narrow, linearly shaped water detention basins to facilitate the control of hazardous wildlife. When it is not possible to place these ponds away from the AOA, use physical barriers, such as bird balls, wire grids, pillows, or netting, to prevent access of hazardous wildlife to open water and minimize aircraft-wildlife interactions (refer to Chapter 3 for a discussion of these methods)
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Wastewater Discharge and Sludge Disposal Do not discharge wastewater or sludge on airport property because it may improve soil moisture and quality on unpaved areas and lead to improved turf growth that can be an attractive food source for many species of grazing animals such as deer and geese. Also, the turf requires more frequent mowing, which in turn might mutilate or flush insects or small animals and produce thatch, both of which can attract hazardous wildlife.
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Existing Wetlands on or near Airport Property If wetlands are located on or near airport property, be alert to any wildlife use or habitat changes in these areas that could affect safe aircraft operations. Working in cooperation with local, state, and federal regulatory agencies, airports should immediately correct any wildlife hazards arising from existing wetlands located at or near airports.
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only feasible way to achieve the mitigation ratios mandated in regulatory orders and settlement agreements with the resource agencies. Conservation easements are an additional means of providing mitigation for project impacts.
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Working with local watershed management agencies or organizations, develop mitigation banking for wetland impacts on airport property. Dredge Spoil Containment Areas Do not locate dredge spoil containment areas (also known as confined disposal facilities)
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150/5200-33. Develop a program to reduce the attractiveness of any livestock operation within these separation distances.
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all situations. Since airports rarely deal with only one species of hazardous wildlife, a compromise regime to affect the collective majority of species is necessary.
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accomplish these goals. Such research has found that flocking bird species are effectively deterred because the intermediate height: • Disrupts visual communication systems; • Prevents predator detection; • Obscures invertebrate food sources in the soil and on vegetation; • Requires additional energy expenditure for movement; • Limits weed growth; and • Slows vegetative growth rates.
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trees, and wetland vegetation anywhere within the AOA to reduce attractiveness to hazardous birds and other wildlife. Some airports exist in areas of the country where turf grasses cannot be supported due to adverse soil or climate conditions, and other vegetation species may be considered.
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golf courses are monitored on a continuing basis for the presence of hazardous wildlife. If hazardous wildlife is detected, take corrective action immediately.
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Introduction Wildlife is attracted to an airport because the airport offers something the wildlife wants or needs. Most often the attractants are food, water, or shelter.
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Basic Control Strategies There are five basic strategies airport managers can use to manage hazardous wildlife at or near the airport: • Repelling techniques: Use of various audio, visual, or chemical repellents to harass and repel problem wildlife. • Habitat modification: Elimination or reduction of food, water, or shelter attractive to wildlife at or near the airport.
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Repellents work by affecting the animal's senses through chemical, auditory, or visual means. When used repeatedly without added reinforcement, wildlife soon learn that the repellent devices or techniques are harmless.
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the least expensive approach to reducing wildlife populations at the airport. Once a habitat modification is done correctly, it should not be necessary to go back and do it again.
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Caution: • With few exceptions, a federal Migratory Bird Depredation Permit, and often a state permit, is required before taking any migratory birds. As used here, "taking" means either "to capture or kill" or "to attempt to capture or kill" a migratory bird.
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GA airport managers can, and should, seek help from qualified airport wildlife biologists when dealing with the news media on this subject. Notices to Airmen of Potential Wildlife Hazards Pilots are the final decision makers as to whether or not to take off or land.
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Propane cannons. Propane cannons (exploders)
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One visual deterrent successfully used in recent years is displaying dead birds in a "death pose." Several experiments and field demonstrations have shown that a dead turkey vulture (freeze-dried taxidermy mount with wings spread) , hung by its feet in a vulture roosting or perching area, will cause vultures to abandon the site.
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Wildlife Control Strategies and Techniques at General Aviation Airports 59 Left: A technician applies anti-perching paste to a building ledge to stop birds from roosting on it. Right: The anti-perching paste was applied over duct tape to facilitate cleanup.
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areas such as runway approaches. However, due to large areas that may require coverage at airports, and the non-persistent nature of the chemicals, these techniques can be very costly.
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that the birds at the airport are exposed to a natural predator for which they have an innate fear. The disadvantage is that a falconry program is expensive, requiring several birds that must be kept and cared for by a crew of trained, motivated personnel.
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Habitat Modification Habitat modification means changing the environment to make it less attractive or inaccessible to the problem wildlife. All wildlife require food, cover, and water to survive.
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ods are generally well accepted by the public and minimize the need to harass or use lethal means to remove wildlife on the airport. Food Be aware of food attractants for birds that exist at and in proximity to the airport.
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When it is not possible to drain a large detention pond, use physical barriers, such as bird balls, wire grids, pillows, or netting, to deter birds and other hazardous wildlife. Evaluate the use of physical barriers and ensure that they will not adversely affect water rescue.
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European starlings use building ledges, abandoned buildings, open girders and bridgework, and dense vegetation for shelter. Blackbirds use marsh vegetation, such as cattails, for nesting and roosting.
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regime that does not result in a buildup of rodent numbers or the production of broad-leaved vegetation, seeds, forage, or insects desired by birds. Exclusion Techniques Architects should consult with biologists during the design phase of buildings, hangars, bridges, and other structures at airports to minimize exposed areas that birds can use for perching and nesting.
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Population Management Live Capture Chemical capture. Alpha chloralose (A-C)
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Lethal Control Some lethal control is usually necessary as part of a GA airport's integrated program to control problem wildlife. Use lethal control only as a last resort after all other reasonable nonlethal options (habitat modification, exclusion techniques, and repellent actions)
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• Describe the method used (including who, when, and what) ; • Document that the killing procedures were correct (that is, followed AAWV guidelines)
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hangars, bridge girders, and other sites can be shot at night with an air rifle. This nighttime shooting is done quietly and discretely, with the objective being to disturb the birds as little as possible so that the maximum number can be removed.
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Shooting birds can have several effects on a flock: • It reinforces other audio or visual repelling techniques; • The loud noise, coupled with the death of one or more of the flock members, can frighten the rest of the flock away and • The target birds are permanently removed. Before starting a shooting program, local ordinances against the discharge of firearms within certain distances of buildings, or within the city limits, may need to be waived.
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The use of toxic baits to kill target birds without affecting nontarget species requires considerable skill and patience. Daily movement patterns of the target birds among feeding, loafing, and roosting sites must be determined so that attractive bait sites that are controlled from public access (such as a roof top)
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can pose a serious threat to aircraft safety at GA airports. Deer are the most hazardous species for both GA and air carrier aircraft.
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Water Standing water can be highly attractive to all wildlife -- mammals and birds -- particularly in areas where fresh water is scarce. Where possible, modify storm water detention ponds to allow a maximum 48-hour detention period for the design storm.
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When it is not possible to drain a large detention pond, use physical barriers, such as bird balls, wire grids, pillows, or netting to deter birds and other hazardous wildlife. Evaluate the use of physical barriers and ensure that they will not adversely affect water rescue.
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Properly install and maintain all fencing. Keep the fence line right-of-way free of excess vegetation.
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Lethal Control Shooting. Adopt a "zero tolerance" policy for deer at airports.
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Lethal traps. Depending on state and local laws, Conibear™ (body gripping)
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bird and mammal exposure with broadcast and hand-placed baits. Anticoagulant baits can also be placed in various types of bait containers positioned in areas of high rodent activity.
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Also, inherent in the idea of flight schedule modification is the idea of closing various runways, or the entire airport, if necessary, to address imminent or recurrent wildlife hazards. For example, pilots may be able to delay departure during a 20-minute period at sunrise or sunset during winter when large flocks of blackbirds cross an airport going to and from an off-airport roosting site.
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Wildlife Control Strategies and Techniques at General Aviation Airports 81 Laser Avian dissuader hand-held pistol style $1,095 each Desman laser rifle style $7,700 each Pyrotechnics Screachmer siren $45/100 rounds Bird banger $45/100 rounds Screachmer banger rocket $95/100 rounds Pyrotechnic Launchers Single shot launcher $34 each Double shot launcher $42 each Seven shot launcher $120 each Propane Cannon $290–$385 each Chemical Repellent Rejex-it® Migrate® for turf $90/gallon Visual Repellents Scarey Man®: multi-use unit $1,100 each Pre-set timer unit for Scarey Man $1,200 each Evil eye balloons $9.50 each Reflective tape 0.5" x 250' $2.50/roll 1.25" x 250' $7.50/roll Electronic Repellents Bird Gard® Super Pro $660 each Bird Gard Pro $220 each Mobile Bird Gard $690 each Table 3.1. Prices of some of the more commonly used bird control devices from one of the major suppliers in the United States, as of January 1, 2010.
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Control Method for Birds C r o w s / J a y s / M a g p i e s B l a c k b i r d s S t a r l i n g s / M i n a s C o r m o r a n t s / A n h i n g a s D u c k s G e e s e S w a n s G u l l s H e r o n s E g r e t s C r a n e s P i g e o n s / D o v e s V u l t u r e s H a w k s F a l c o n s E a g l e s O s p r e y / K i t e s O w l s G a l l i n a c e o u s B i r d s S h o r e b i r d s T h r u s h e s S p a r r o w s Repelling Techniques Chemical repellents for birds F/$$ F/$$ F/$$ F/$$ F/$$ Audio repellents for birds Electronic sounds F/$$$ G/$$$ G/$$$ P/$$$ P/$$$ P/$$$ P/$$$ G/$$$ P/$$$ P/$$$ P/$$$ P/$$$ P/$$$ P/$$$ P/$$$ P/$$$ P/$$$ P/$$$ P/$$$ F/$$$ P/$$$ P/$$$ Pyrotechnics G/$$ G/$$ G/$$ G/$$ G/$$ G/$$ G/$$ G/$$ G/$$ G/$$ G/$$ G/$$ G/$$ G/$$ G/$$ G/$$ G/$$ G/$$ G/$$ G/$$ G/$$ G/$$ Ultrasonic N/$$ N/$$ N/$$ N/$$ N/$$ N/$$ N/$$ N/$$ N/$$ N/$$ N/$$ N/$$ N/$$ N/$$ N/$$ N/$$ N/$$ N/$$ N/$$ N/$$ N/$$ N/$$ Visual repellents for birds P/$$ P/$$ P/$$ P/$$ P/$$ P/$$ P/$$ P/$$ P/$$ P/$$ P/$$ P/$$ P/$$ P/$$ P/$$ P/$$ P/$$ P/$$ P/$$ P/$$ P/$$ Trained falcons and dogs to repel birds G/$$$$ G/$$$$ G/$$$$ G/$$$$ G/$$$$ G/$$$$ G/$$$$ G/$$$$ G/$$$$ Radio-controlled model aircraft to repel birds F/$$$ F/$$$ F/$$$ F/$$$ F/$$$ F/$$$ F/$$$ F/$$$ F/$$$ F/$$$ F/$$$ F/$$$ F/$$$ F/$$$ F/$$$ F/$$$ Nonlethal projectiles to repel birds G/$$ G/$$ G/$$ G/$$ Table 3.2. Relative effectiveness and cost of control methods for hazardous birds.
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Habitat Modification Food B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ Water B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ Shelter B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ Exclusion of Birds G/$$ G/$$ G/$$ G/$$ G/$$ F/$$ F/$$ F/$$ F/$$ G/$$ G/$$ F/$$ G/$$ G/$$ Population Management Capturing birds Chemical capture of birds F/$$ F/$$ F/$$ F/$$ F/$$ Live-trapping birds G/$ G/$$ G/$$ G/$$ G/$$ G/$$ G/$$ G/$ Destroying eggs and nests G/$ G/$ G/$ G/$ G/$ G/$ Lethal control of birds Shooting birds G/$$$ F/$$$ F/$$$ G/$$$ G/$$$ G/$$$ G/$$$ F/$$$ G/$$$ G/$$$ F/$$$ G/$$$ F/$$$ F/$$$ P/$$$ N G/$$$ F/$$$ G/$$$ F/$$$ PG/$$$ P/$$$ Oral toxicants for birds F/$$ G/$$ Contact toxicants for birds N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N Notification of Pilots of Wildlife Hazards G/$ G/$ G/$ G/$ G/$ G/$ G/$ G/$ G/$ G/$ G/$ G/$ G/$ G/$ G/$ G/$ G/$ G/$ G/$ G/$ G/$ G/$
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84 Guidebook for Addressing Aircraft/Wildlife Hazards at General Aviation Airports Control Method for Mammals Canines Deer Cattle Raccoons Repelling Techniques Chemical repellents for mammals N N N N Audio repellents for mammals P/$$ P/$$ P/$$ P/$$ Visual repellents for mammals P/$ P/$ P/$ P/$ Habitat Modification Food B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ Water B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ Shelter B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ B/$$ Exclusion Techniques Exclusion of mammals G/$$$ B/$$$ B/$$$ F/$$$ Population Management Techniques Capturing mammals Chemical capture of mammals F/$$$ F/$$$ F/$$$ Live-trapping mammals G/$$ P/$$$$ B/$ Lethal control of mammals Shooting mammals G/$$ G/$$ N G/$$ Toxicants for small mammals Fumigants for small mammals Lethal traps for mammals G/$$ N N G/$$ Notices to Airmen of Potential Wildlife Hazards G/$ G/$ G/$ G/$ Table 3.3. Relative effectiveness and cost of control methods for hazardous mammals.
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