The management of wildlife is as an ongoing issue. The need to consult with councils and external agencies can increase the complexity in reducing hazards. This is due to competing regulations across aviation safety, environment and local government.
What can aerodrome operators and airlines can do?
Risk management is an essential process for managing wildlife. Aerodromes that meet the set passenger or aircraft movement threshold should have Wildlife Hazard Management Plans (WHMP). Refer to AC 139.A-03 Application of Aerodrome Standards, Appendix A for thresholds. The focus should be on keeping wildlife away from aerodromes to reduce wildlife strikes.
The new ATSB National Aviation Wildlife Strike Dashboard captures occurrences that involve aircraft striking wildlife. It helps aerodrome and airline operators to understand the risks of wildlife strikes. This includes:
- location
- species
- time of year
- aircraft type or sector.
They can use this data to support their own hazard identification and risk assessments and strategies.
The Australian Aviation Wildlife Hazard Group (AAWHG) is another organisation providing industry best practice on how to assess the risk wildlife poses to aircraft operations. AAWHG liaises with other wildlife hazard bodies worldwide and is a forum for stakeholders to discuss aviation wildlife hazard management.
These forums include professionals across the aviation industry as well as
- wildlife specialists
- ATC
- ATSB
- CASA.
Recommended practices include:
- terminology and phraseology
- wildlife monitoring
- identification, analysis and recording
- ground based mitigation
- training.
Operators recognised that for wildlife hazard management to be effective it requires:
- ongoing review of the hazards, often impacted by the changing weather or environmental conditions
- continual monitoring of control effectiveness as strategies will often need to change
- communication to relevant parties including LRSTs, runway safety teams or other SMS meetings. This includes updates to AIP-ERSAs/NOTAMs on any changes to wildlife hazards (descriptions, locations, seasonal information). This ensures aircraft operators and flight crew can make informed decisions about risk.
The National Airports Safeguarding Framework provides the recognition that wildlife strikes can have on an aircraft. It also shows how the planned use and management of land in the vicinity of airports can significantly influence the risk of wildlife hazards. NASF Guideline C: Managing the Risk of Wildlife Strikes in the Vicinity of Airports provides guidance to Commonwealth, state/territory and local government decision makers.
What are we doing and already delivered?
We have issued Part 139 MOS Chapter 17 Wildlife Hazard Management. This provides detailed standards and requirements for aerodromes to adopt. It includes:
- detection and monitoring of wildlife
- assessment and management
- reporting
- mitigation
- training.
Under Part 139 MOS you must conduct wildlife hazard identification and risk management if you have a SMS or RMP. The operator must do this according to Section 17.02 of the SMS or RMP.
The SMS tool kits can further provide guidance on SMS and RMPs. SMS booklet 3 provides an example of how to determine if the risk has reduced as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP).
AC 139.C-16 Wildlife Hazard Management provides further information to assist aerodromes in their decision-making process. It helps you meet the requirements of Part 139 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations, Part 139 Manual of Standards (MOS) and PANS-Aerodromes.
We are a key member of the Australian Aviation Wildlife Hazard Group. We continue to support the forums and further development of the recommended practices.
Our AC 139.C-22 Runway Safety Teams provides guidance to aerodrome operators for implementing local runway safety teams at aerodromes. They can discuss wildlife hazards and the potential risks to aircraft operations.