How to Avoid Bird Collisions

Airplane and bird collisions may not be a daily occurrence, but bird strikes can still pose a serious threat to air safety.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), over 10,000 bird and wildlife strikes have been reported each year since 2012. As airplane usage increases and the number of alternative habitats decreases, airports must counteract these factors with closer monitoring, greater awareness, and more targeted action.

Airlines must learn how to avoid bird collisions and prevent the consequences effectively.

Consequences of an Airplane and Bird Collision

Because airports exist so close to wildlife, bird collisions usually occur during takeoff and landing when airplanes are either low altitude or on the ground. In some cases, bird strikes can have significant safety and economic consequences.

Since 1988, bird and wildlife strikes have resulted in the death of more than 290 people worldwide. The reported costs for civil and military aircraft in the USA alone have totaled more than $900 million. Bird strikes usually cause the most damage to the wing or engines, though all areas can take damage.

The effect of bird strikes on aircraft generally depends on the plane’s size and the size of the bird. A large impact can cause significant damage and operational issues. Depending on the circumstances, the collision can shut down jet engines or prevent the pilot from regaining total aircraft control.

Tips to Avoid Bird Collisions When Flying a Plane

• Fly high: Birds rarely fly higher than 3,000 feet above the ground. A simple look at the altimeter isn’t enough, though, because if the ground is 2,000 feet above sea level, then 4,000 feet on the altimeter isn’t high enough. Keep this in mind when “sightseeing” at a low altitude.
• Fly slow when near birds: As mentioned previously, the speed of impact accounts for much of the damage. Halving the speed drops the impact energy to one-quarter of its previous amount. In addition, birds can more easily get out of the way when the speed is less than 90 mph.
• Don’t fly under birds: Birds instinctively go into a dive when they feel threatened. They do this because diving is the fastest way to gain speed. Fly over them when taking evasive action.
• Avoid large birds: Large birds do the greatest damage. Pilots can quickly assess size by their wing beat. Large birds flap their wings more slowly than small birds.
• Beware of the surrounding areas: Know when wildlife sanctuaries, bird feeding grounds and watercourses are nearby. Landfills, fishing boats, and fish processing areas commonly draw in feeding birds. Birds also frequent shallow estuaries, inland lakes and ponds, and islands in large bodies of water.
• Watch for birds during takeoff and landing: Many airports are in prime bird habitats. Look for them before taking off and coming in for a landing. Pilots cannot rely on birds getting scared off by their planes.
• Use lighting to increase visibility: In recent years, aircraft engines have become so quiet that most birds cannot detect and evade the approaching threat in time. Pulsing landing lights on airplanes could increase their visibility, giving birds an earlier warning and ensuring they have enough time to avoid the aircraft.

Three Ways Airports Can Manage the Risk of Avian Collision

While there are several ways to prevent bird strikes, pilots should not rely entirely on visibility, time of day or onboard weather radar to manage the risk. Airports must instead increase awareness among all crew members with more targeted airport bird control methods.

Modifying Habitat and Vegetation

Airport grounds are an attractive habitat for many birds. Once they understand the desirable elements of the habitat, airports can choose modifications that make the environment less attractive to bird species. Controlling attractants is essential for effective wildlife management.

Establish longer-term strategies that will discourage feeding, foraging, grazing, nesting and roosting. Limiting the attractants for specific species may include clearing out attractive nesting sites or removing food sources for the birds. When grass heights are between six and eight inches, birds are less likely to settle in the airfield. Eliminate desirable vegetation like seed-bearing plants and choose unpalatable grasses instead.

Habitat modifications can even extend to different factors within the food chain, such as the insects, rodents and invertebrates that live in the environment. Other ways to deter birds from nesting and feeding on airport grounds include:

• Controlling insect populations that attract birds and rodents.
• Eliminating food sources for the insects that birds eat.
• Removing food sources for the rodents that raptors eat.
• Clearing out bushes and trees that serve as attractive nesting sites.
• Covering open waters with netting to prevent birds from landing.
• Reducing pockets of standing rainwater on airport grounds.

Airports may also need to modify water sources and land usage in the vicinity. Establish initiatives to manage biodiversity in surrounding areas so that birds look to reside elsewhere.

Influencing or Controlling Bird Behavior

A bird deflector system for jet engines can help deter specific species from settling on the runway. Bird distress calls are an effective method for any airport bird strike prevention system. Speakers mounted on a car can blast the distress signals of up to 20 different species, influencing and controlling bird behavior. When the birds hear their distress call, they will generally disperse from the airport grounds.

Other methods that airports use to deter birds include:

• Disrupting birds with sonic cannons and other unexpected noises.
• Driving birds away with daily use of pyrotechnics.
• Simulating predators with lasers at dusk and dawn.
• Preventing birds from nesting with trained falcons or drones.
• Keeping trained dogs as a visible threat on the airport grounds.

With authorization, an airport may need to capture and relocate birds. Extreme cases can even lead to culling, though this method should be a last resort.

Adapting Flight Paths and Schedules

In the event of known or anticipated bird activity near the runway, crew members should consider modifying flight operations. Reports of large birds or flocks of birds may cause airports to adapt flight paths and schedules until appropriate action has been taken.

If fuel permits, airports can advise pilots to delay takeoff or landing in the presence of bird activity. Use trained spotters to locate large birds or flocks on the airfield before planes pass through. These spotters can direct pilots to unobstructed runways as needed.

Minimize airplane movements at low altitudes and avoid maneuvering in bird hotspots if possible. Pilots should climb quickly at low altitudes to reduce their flight time exposure to bird strikes. Avoid flying over wildlife sanctuaries, bird feeding grounds and watercourses.

Protect Your Assets With Pilot Insurance

While most bird and airplane collisions don’t cause significant problems, any damage to the aircraft’s engine can be costly. Between birds, drones, the weather, human mistakes, mechanical breakdowns and the other myriad of hazards that pilots face, it is essential to consider your physical and financial safety.

Purchase customized pilot liability insurance and protect yourself in areas that other policies can’t cover. Whether you fly commercially or work as a private flight instructor, bird strikes can impact any aircraft at any time. Contact XINSURANCE for more information about pilot insurance coverage today.