Section 3, Chapter 6 - Bird Scaring & Dispersal Flashcards
What are the key responsibilities and guidelines for bird scaring and dispersal at the airport?
- Risk Period: The main risk period for wildlife strikes on aircraft is from late August to November, influenced by season, temperature, and migration patterns.
- Staff Vigilance: All staff must ensure runways are free from bird activity, especially during this high-risk period.
- Reference Manuals:
- Detailed procedures are available in the BIAL Aerodrome Manual.
- A permanent warning is included in the UK AIP.
Responsibilities:
* Airport Authority: Responsible for all bird scaring procedures, adopting methods recommended by NATS in CAP 680.
* RFFS: Delegated to carry out bird scaring, bird control, and some wildlife strike recording activities.
What are the responsibilities of Air Traffic Control (ATC) in assisting the Rescue and Firefighting Service (RFFS) with bird control at the airport?
ATC Responsibilities:
- Monitoring and Reporting: Monitor and report bird activity on runways to RFFS to ensure runways are clear of birds before any arrivals or departures.
- Advising Pilots: Advise pilots as necessary regarding bird activity.
- Runway Access: Ensure bird scaring vehicles have maximum access to the runway in use. Ideally, the bird scaring vehicle should be permanently on the runway, subject to traffic.
- Alternate Runway Usage: Ensure an alternate runway is not used unless a bird check is completed by RFFS.
- Broadcasting Bird Activity: When notified by RFFS of extensive bird activity, broadcast on ATIS: “There is extensive bird activity on the airfield and bird scaring is in progress.”
What are the procedures adopted by the Rescue and Firefighting Service (RFFS) for bird control at the airport?
RFFS Procedures:
- Continuous Harassment: Maintain a policy of continuous harassment to deter birds, focusing primarily on the runway in use.
- Coordination with ATC: ATC will inform pilots of bird scaring actions as notified by the Airport Authority.
- Reduced Visibility Protocol: Discontinue continuous bird patrols when visibility is less than 800 meters, but conduct periodic checks of active runways and taxiways to ensure they are clear of birds.
What are the procedures and actions taken for wildlife strike reporting and FOD management at the airport?
Wildlife Strike Reporting:
- RFFS: Takes appropriate reporting action in line with CAP382.
- ATC: Makes a note in the watch log and passes findings to the affected aircraft.
- Incident Reporting: If a wildlife strike leads to an incident (engine malfunction, aircraft damage, mayday, fire, etc.), ATC files a Mandatory Occurrence Report (MOR).
Wildlife Strike - FOD Procedures:
Departures:
* No aircraft are permitted to depart until the Bird Patrol/ADM/Checker inspects the runway and declares it free from bird debris/FOD and serviceable.
* BIAL arranges for sweeping as necessary.
Arrivals:
* At the pilot’s discretion, the first aircraft on final can land unless the bird debris/FOD poses a significant risk (e.g., aircraft part, large size).
* The pilot must be warned of the bird debris/FOD.
* No further aircraft are permitted to land until the Bird Patrol/ADM/Checker inspects the runway and declares it free from bird debris/FOD and serviceable.
* BIAL arranges for sweeping as necessary.
Note:
The RFFS Watchroom is informed of all reported wildlife strikes.
The Control Centre is informed of all reported FOD.
The closest vehicle may investigate reports, but only the Bird Vehicle is equipped to remove bird debris.
What is the role of the Bird Vehicle in the Rescue and Firefighting Service (RFFS) response during an aircraft emergency?
Bird Vehicle Role:
- During an aircraft emergency, the Bird Vehicle attends as part of the RFFS response.
- It operates the passenger assembly system located on the vehicle roof.
- If both Bird Vehicles are unavailable due to mechanical failure, there will be no passenger assembly system available and thus no Bird Vehicle in attendance.
