ADR.OPS.B.020 Wildlife strike hazard reduction

GENERAL The aerodrome operator should:

(a)participate in the national wildlife strike hazard reduction programme;

(b)establish procedures to record and report to the appropriate authority wildlife strikes to aircraft occurred at the aerodrome, in close cooperation with organisations operating, or providing services at the aerodrome;

(c)ensure that wildlife hazard assessments are made by competent personnel; and

(d)establish, implement and maintain a wildlife risk management programme.

WILDLIFE RISK ASSESSMENT

(a)The aerodrome operator should:

(1)conduct a risk assessment using strike data for each species, as well as information on the presence of species, the number of individuals, and their biology, and update this regularly;

(2)take into account the number of strikes for each species and the severity of damage arising from those strikes; and

(3)target actions on those species which are present with the highest frequency and create the greatest damage.

(b)Wildlife risk assessments should be made by qualified personnel.

WILDLIFE RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME The wildlife risk management programme may cover an area of approximately 13 km (7 NM) from the aerodrome reference point, and should include, at least, the following elements:

(a)assignment of personnel:

(1)a person who is accountable for developing and implementing the wildlife risk programme;

(2)a person who oversees the daily wildlife control activities, and analyses the collected data and carries out risk assessments in order to develop and implement the wildlife risk management programme; and

(3)trained and qualified staff who detect and record the birds/wildlife, and assess the bird/wildlife hazard, and expel hazardous birds/wildlife;

(b)a process to report, collect, and record data of struck and living birds/wildlife;

(c)a process to analyse the data and to assess the bird/wildlife hazard to develop mitigation, proactive, and reactive measures. This should include a risk assessment methodology;

(d)a process of habitat and land management both on, and in its surroundings, whenever possible, in order to reduce the attractiveness of the area to birds/wildlife;

(e)a process to remove hazardous birds/wildlife;

(f)a process for liaison with non-aerodrome agencies and local landowners, etc. to ensure the aerodrome is aware of developments that may contribute to creating additional bird hazards within the surrounding of the aerodrome’s infrastructure, vegetation, land use and activities (for example crop harvesting, seed planting, ploughing, establishment of land or water features, hunting, etc. that might attract birds/wildlife).

TRAINING FOR WILDLIFE CONTROL

(a)The aerodrome wildlife control personnel should receive formal training prior to their initial engagement as wildlife controllers.

(b)Training for aerodrome wildlife control should be documented and records of it should be retained to satisfy periodic reviews, audits, and competence checks;

(c)Training of aerodrome wildlife control personnel should be conducted by qualified aerodrome wildlife control personnel, or specialists with proven experience in this field.

(d)Wildlife control initial training should, at least, address the following general areas:

(1)an understanding of the nature and extent of the aviation wildlife management problem, and local hazard identification;

(2)an understanding of the national and local regulations, standards, and guidance material related to aerodrome wildlife management programs (use of best-practice models);

(3)appreciation of the local wildlife ecology and biology, including (where applicable) the importance of good airfield grass management policies, and the benefits they can deliver to wildlife control;

(4)the importance of accurate wildlife identification and observations, including the use of field guides;

(5)local and national laws and regulations relating to rare and endangered species, and species of special concern, and the aerodrome operators policies relating to them;

(6)wildlife strike remains collection, and identification policies and procedures;

(7)long-term (passive) control measures, including on and off aerodrome habitat management, including identification of wildlife attractions, vegetation policies, air navigation aids protection, and drainage system, and water body management practicalities;

(8)short-term (active) tactical measures, using well established effective wildlife removal, dispersal, and control techniques;

(9)documentation of wildlife activities and control measures, and reporting procedures (the aerodrome wildlife management plan);

(10)firearms and field safety, including the use of personal protective equipment; and

(11)wildlife strike risk assessment and risk management principles, and how these programs integrate with the aerodrome’s safety management system.

(e)Wildlife control staff should be fully aware of the conditions and terms of the operations of the aerodrome environment. Where this is not relevant, the wildlife control personnel should receive appropriate training, including:

(1)aerodrome airside driver training, including aerodrome familiarisation, air traffic control communications, signs and marking, navigational aids, aerodrome operations, and safety and other matters the aerodrome operator deems appropriate; and

(2)aircraft familiarisation, including aircraft identification, aircraft engine design, and impact of wildlife strikes on aircraft systems.

(f)It should be ensured that wildlife control staff maintains competence in the role. This could be achieved either by regular refresher training or another system of monitoring, acceptable to the appropriate authority. The maintenance of competence should include the areas in (d) and (e) above, and also include:

(1)reviewing firearms safety;

(2)changes in the local environment;

(3)changes in risk management policy;

(4)recent wildlife events at the aerodrome;

(5)improvements in active and passive measures; and

(6)any other matters the aerodrome operator deems appropriate.

RECORDING AND REPORTING OF WILDLIFE STRIKES AND OBSERVED WILDLIFE

(a)It is necessary to maintain a record of all wildlife activity or ‘bird/wildlife log’. The log should include, at least, the following information:

(1)numbers, species, and location of birds/wildlife seen; and

(2)actions taken to disperse birds/wildlife, and the results of these actions.

(b)The log should be completed at regular intervals by the wildlife control staff.

(c)The log should be analysed to identify which species represent a hazard, at which times of day or year, or under which weather conditions, etc.

(d)The aerodrome operator should have a system in place to collect bird/wildlife strike reports in close cooperation with data owners, like aircraft operators, air navigation service providers, aircraft engine maintenance departments, etc.