CASA Media Release - Monday, 14 March 2005
New aviation warning: control birds
Aerodrome operators are being warned they need to look closely at the steps they are taking to minimise the risk of aircraft bird strikes in Australia.
Each year more than 1300 aircraft bird strikes are officially reported, with around 150 planes damaged by collisions with birds.
The cost of a bird strike to a major airline in repairs and lost operating time can run into millions of dollars if a bird strikes a jet engine.
The cost and frequency of bird strikes has prompted a warning that it is possible legal action could be taken against people or organisations that have failed to take reasonable steps to prevent bird strikes.
Reducing the risk of bird strikes is a feature story in the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s flagship publication, Flight Safety Australia magazine.
The story says more than 90 per cent of bird strikes occur at aerodromes because most birds only fly close to the ground.
“Aerodrome operators therefore must take a high level of responsibility for managing the risk of bird strike,” Flight Safety Australia says.
“It is mainly large and flocking species of birds that present the biggest problems.”
These include ibis, ducks, bats and galahs.
Aerodromes must have a bird management strategy which gathers information on the risk of bird strikes, counts bird numbers and develops action plans to manage high risk species.
Action plans to control birds include removing food and habitats near aerodromes, using pyrotechnics to scare birds, culling, dog patrols, using birds of prey and lasers. Designing creeks and dams to reduce water bird numbers is very important.
In 2003, Rockhampton airport registered the highest frequency of bird strikes with 37, this was followed by Tamworth with more than 30, Darwin with almost 30 and Cairns with nearly 20.
Media contact:
Peter Gibson
mobile 0419 296 446
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